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.

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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?