By Bobby Hankinson
The Guiness Book of World Records’ World’s Fastest Rapper, Twista, keeps the energy high with his fast-paced yet clear rhymes on his latest album, “Kamikaze.” He also experiments with a slower flow on a few tracks, illustrating his versatility.
Twista debuted as Tung Twista in 1991, with his first album, “Runnin’ off at Da’ Mouth” and followed it up with 1996’s single “Po Pimp.” Trouble with his record label, Atlantic, slowed down Twista’s progress and kept him from producing more albums. However, Twista remains on Atlantic and now has more stability.
After three albums spanning 13 years, rapper Twista’s latest album “Kamikaze” recently skyrocketed up Billboard’s album charts, dethroning OutKast at No. 1 on the Feb. 14 charts. “Kamikaze” is Twista’s first album to gain widespread success selling 311,000 copies in the last week of January. Currently, “Kamikaza” sits comfortably at the No. 8 spot on Billboard’s Top 100 albums.
The first single, “Slow Jamz,” featuring Kayne West and Jamie Foxx, is receiving heavy air play on MTV and is credited with the album’s recent success. Foxx’s smooth hook, “She said she wants some Marvin Gaye/some Luther Vandross/a little Anita/ will definitely set this party off right” is the perfect compliment to Twista’s whirlwind rhyming style.
West and Foxx are not the only guests to appear on the album.
“Kamikaze” also features guest spots from R. Kelly, Ludacris and Cee-Lo, but it’s Twista’s skills that stand out on most of the tracks.
Twista’s collaboration with Kelly, “So Sexy,” screams for radio play and Top 40 success. Once again contrasting an R’B hook against Twista’s lightning fast rhymes, “So Sexy” is destined for similar success of “Slow Jamz.”
The album’s pace picks right back up as Ludacris joins the mix on “Higher.” The two rapid-fire rappers create a non-stop barrage of rhymes that doesn’t slow down throughout the entire track.
Twista makes the obligatory R.I.P.’s to Aaliyah, Left Eye and Jam Master Jay in “Hope.” Complete with an acoustic guitar and a chorus of children, Twista lays down what seems like a forced attempt to create a positive track among titles such as “Kill Us All” and “Pimp On.” Unfortunately, “Hope” is easily the most clichd track, it is almost redeemed by its soulful chorus.
The epic “Art ‘ Life” brings the album to a memorable close. It’s a weighty track featuring Memphis Bleek, Young Chris, and Freeway.
Twista shows growth as an artist on “Kamikaze” by combining his speed on the mic with smooth R’B tracks. Thirteen years into his career, the world’s fastest rapper’s skills are now getting attention faster than he can say … anything.
