TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With Twista

"Smoking Sessions With..."    By TC on July 16, 2009 at 1:01 pm

Just like an accelerated wind through the streets of Chicago, Twista has been blowing through the rap game at frantic pace for nearly two decades. And guess what? He’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Back with a new label deal and even newer album — the multifaceted Category F5, Twista took time to calm his storm to sit with TSS Crew’s TC to discuss retirement plans (nonexistent,) the origin of his style and how R&B hits come so natural for him.

Prepare yourself. This interview is off the Fujita scale.

TSS: So with Category F5, you formally acknowledged your name’s meaning and put it into play. Was the whole concept just to wreck shit?

Twista: Yeah man. I’m glad I found that title right there. I basically recorded up until the time I couldn’t record no more, went up to the last day possible. It wasn’t a set process or concept but I’m happy the way it came out.

TSS: The opening track “Misunderstood” reunites with Buk for the beginning of a Twista album. Is that like an “Adrenaline Rush Pt. 2?”

Twista: I wouldn’t call it that but I would definitely say it’s my attempt to satisfy the fans and give them what they want to hear. I definitely know they like that vibe and “Adrenaline Rush” was always one of my favorite songs personally. And going back in there it’s like “Man you wanted to see Jordan do the windmill more than one time” ya know? (Laughs) So we just went hard on the same type of beat.

TSS: The Legendary Traxster made a good deal of appearances as well. Out of all the producers you’ve worked with, would you say you two have the most cohesive sound?

Twista: Definitely. I would say his sound is the definition of the Twista sound. Anything else that I do is still Twista and I can make it what I want to make it but me and him is the original Twista. We’re the premiere so to speak.

TSS: And Category F5 also has its fair share of songs for the ladies! Is all this being inspired by real life situations…?

Twista: Man…I dunno what it is! It’s just easy for me to make them lady songs! It just comes natural. I hear the beat and just get in a nice little zone. It wasn’t anything intended or particular, trying to chase a hit or none of that. It just comes easy to me. I see people break their neck to make those type of songs. But I hear the music or beat and just go in. I’ll have a bunch of songs and when it comes down to turning in the album, I’ll try to even ‘em out and have an equal amount of hard and smooth songs. I think it comes with age.

TSS: So is that how you got wrapped up in those Pinky rumors? (Laughs)

Twista: Man I ain’t have nothing to do with that! That one came on its own with no assistance from me. I did not dish the ball to score that point right there. (Laughs)

TSS: (Laughs)

Twista: I woke up and everybody told me and I said “Damn.” (Laughs) That was it. It was an opportune time to promote my album but I was mad when my momma asked me about it. Can you imagine? Sitting there having fun with a rumour, thinking it’s all good and then your momma say “You got a pornstar pregnant!?!?” I was like “Aw, shit!!!” (Laughs)

TSS: Taking it back to the R&B records, “She Got It” with Bobby Valentino sounded like a hit but didn’t make the final cut. What happened with that?

Twista: Yeah, I was really disappointed with that not making the album. It had leaked but it still didn’t matter. Just the business and everything that was going on with that record and…uggggh! It just pissed me off that we couldn’t close on that before the album was turned in. And there was a few other ones that crushed that I didn’t get to put on there. They’re all my jewels and so I get upset that I can’t use one that I’m really feeling.

TSS: Well you did find a way to squeeze one particular one in the mix. “Alright” with Kanye West & No ID. Tell me about that one.

Twista: No ID added some drums and at first it was just that dirty Hip-Hop sound Kanye is into. Ya know? Hard to describe but it had me going; it was cold and beautiful. (Laughs) Then No ID added a little touch to it and gave it that Chicago House [Music] feel to it and took it to another level. It’s definitely a Hip-Hop track. There’s nothing tripped up about it and I know people are gonna love it.

TSS: You say you don’t write rhymes sometimes. Does that include the fast ones?

Twista: Yeah, some of them. Sometimes I trip myself out with that. Like I think one of the opening verses off “Kill Us All” [from Kamikaze] I didn’t write. And you can’t tell the difference between the two. The slow ones are easy; if you don’t hear me twist up the lyrics then it’s nothing for me not to write. But I be charged up when I’m able to compile the fast lyrics in my brain and put them to the rhythm.

TSS: How is that humanly possible? Do you slow it down in your head and speed it up when you spit it out?

Twista: You know what it is? The best I can say is you know when rappers be sitting around in the hood and they be loving the shit out what’s coming out of their mouth? You literally gotta LOVE what’s coming out of your mouth. You gotta love those lyrics and they gotta be the shit to you or they’ll disappear. So they have to become the shit as you thinking of them.

TSS: So what influenced you initially to become a “fast rapper?”

Twista: It was wanting to do something…more. I was metaphorically at my peak. I had the battle shit and metaphor shit down pat but I wanted to approach it different. I wanted to do more styles. So that was the birth of it right there. So I started changing up the way the rhythms I did on the beat. Then styled it from there.

TSS: Well you started in the underground circuit and were with Roc-A-Fella when they were on top and now it seems like you’re in the driver seat of your own solo career. Do you feel like you’re on top of the food chain right now?

Twista: I don’t know about being on top of the food chain because I think every man’s level of being rich is different. So people may be rich off of finances and some are rich just because of their family. So I wouldn’t say on top of the food chain but proven or putting my stamp in the game, at this point, people can’t say it’s luck at this point. You just know this man is going to do it. So I do feel I have that seal of approval when it comes to an artist with true longevity. A lot of people talk about longevity but with this album, I think I can now fit in that bracket with a Jay-Z or LL.

TSS: Some would call you the “Feature King” as well. Would you agree with that?

Twista: I would. Niggas came up on me though! (Laughs) At one point in time, I was easily the feature king but T-Pain, Lil’ Wayne and all them started coming with it, I was like “Damn!” But I definitely feel like after this going around, knowing I’m going to link up with a few more artists, I’m going to put my FOOT in some remixes so I can show ‘em!

TSS: Would you say your albums get overlooked because of that?

Twista: Yeah, definitely. I feel like I’m the Michael Finley of rap because I am one of the most underrated MCs in the game. But I’m the Michael Finley up this boy cuz I go in night in and night out and you just ain’t gonna pay no mind.

TSS: (Laughs) Where would you rank Category F5 in your catalog?

Twista: I can’t really put it first, last or anything like that, but I definitely put it above the last two releases. It’s high. And that’s just for myself. Not just for the sound or music but just where I was in life, spiritually and how I was feeling at the time.

TSS: Is there anyone that you haven’t worked with that you feel like it’s a necessity to do so?

Twista: I been saying that I wanna get one in with Eminem for awhile but shit, I done said it so many times, I don’t wanna sound like a herb after awhile! Em be sitting somewhere like “Man, Twist keep saying he wanna do a cut with me…I ain’t fuckin’ with that nigga!” (Laughs!!!) But that’s the one I’d love to get it in with. That brother cold, I think we’ll just compliment the hell outta each other.

TSS: So what’s the next step musically. Is Get Money Gang setting themselves up to be the next dynasty?

Twista: Yeah, but I don’t really think it’s about the name of one click or crew because we have some other things we’re starting up. I would look at the movement more so than anything else. We bout to give the Midwest a push — one that people haven’t seen in a minute. Me and Traxster were sitting around talking about some things and one of those is a Do Or Die project. So since I’m not in the last label situation I was in and have more freedom to do what I want, I’m bout to put out a string of consistent hits. Whether it’s me or music that we do for someone else.

TSS: You’ve got some consistent hits to pick from off Category F5. What do you think the next single is going to be? You got “Yellow Light” with R. Kelly…

Twista: It’s hard. Yeah, I thought it was going to be “Yellow Light” right off that back. But I was getting calls from program directors and DJs about “Birthday” as well as the “Walking On Ice” joint. And, the Do Or Die one ["Yo Body"] is crazy as well. So we have about 3 or 4 of them to choose from. And with “Wetter” still growing, it gives us time to sit back for a second and let the fans decide. Every time I talk to somebody, they have a different opinion.

TSS: Maybe have a contest on your Twitter?

Twista: Yeah we’re definitely going to put some things out there but we tried that already. You get “I think it should be ‘Yellow!’” or “I thinking it should be ‘Ice!’” (Laughs) But it’s a fun problem to have. How many people can say they can’t pick the next single? Some people only have one jam!

TSS: This is true. So at what point does Twista sit back and take the corporate route? Is retirement even an option?

Twista: Nah, not at all. Maybe when that was the “thing” to do. But now you sit back and think why should a rap artist be any different from a rock or R&B artist? All these other artists make music until they die, so why can’t it be the same for rap? What’s so hard about putting words together in the studio, vibing with yourself that you can’t do until you’re gone or your voice is out? So I wanna be one of those rap artists that can make an album — it’s just rap music! You could be 50 years old…if you know how to spit it, then make an album! It don’t have to be your sole source of income; you out there on the road and shit with some young niggas trying to outperform them (Laughs) but you should be able to do music til’ you out of here, regardless if it’s Hip-Hop or not.

What’s up with the James Brown’s and Smokey Robinson’s. Smokey writing a song as we speak and you wanna ask a rapper when they gonna stop making music? (Laughs) So we gotta get like them.

TSS: Understandable so. Hip-Hop is still relatively young. But Mr. Horror-Flick-Aficionado. How many sequels does it take until you say enough is enough?

Twista: Dog. It’s like this. Sometimes people do things and they turn out bad, sometimes they turn out good. That’s all I’m gonna say! The Friday the 13th, the last one? Was good as hell! The remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Was good than a muthafucka! The last Halloween? Good than a muthafucka! So I give props to whoever is doing these latest horror flicks because they’ve been getting down. I can’t front on the Saw’s! I’m really appreciating these movies. I wanna see blood, guts, all that shit.

TSS: Saw’s are definitely written well. What about the new Final Destination though?

Twista: There’s a new one?

TSS: Comes out in August.

Twista: Then I’m going to see it. But you switched the game up with that one. Final Destination isn’t really a horror flick. Final Destination’s will put you on paranoia to give you the worst case of OCD you ever had. (Laughs!!!) They make you not wanna do nothing like take showers or cook food (Laughs!!!)

TSS: (Laughs) Well good luck with your continued promotion of Category F5.

Twista: Appreciate it fam. Good chopping it up with you.

Twista’s Category F5 features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, R. Kelly, Akon & Static Major among others. It’s available on iTunes and stores now. For more information on Twista visit his official site www.twista.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/Twistagmg

Previously Posted — Twista - “Wetter” Video (Final Version) | Twista - “Birthday” Video | Twista - “American Gangsta” Video

Posted in "Smoking Sessions With...", ARTIST INTERVIEWS, AUDIO, GENERAL, MUSIC — Tags: Category F5, Eminem, Kanye West, No ID, The Legendary Traxster, Twista