Kamikaze [PA] - Twista (CD 2004)

Besides the Guinness Book of Records recognition (the worlds fastest rapper), Twista is also recognised by many MC's as, a unique talent, and as such an influence on many MC's styles. Twista spits with the verbal speed and ferocity of his name sake, with lines coming so fast, that it makes the listener having to constantly rewind and replay his tracks to get the full impact.

And while Twista is certainly not new to the rap game, he now has the succesful Rocafella stable assisting him. Twista has now come out with a renewed vigour, and increasing popularity from mainstream Hip Hop fans.

However the big question must be, Twista more of a novelty act, good in short doses, or an under appreciated talent about to lay a verbal apocalypse on the world? Well...

1.Get Me - 4/5
Most definately the current king of beats (and most played out), the sped up voice sample style beat, is the background for the opening track. Twista announces his arrival with lyrics about battling to be noticed. Grandious commercial beat is nice, and Twista sounding quite emotional, adds depth to the track.

2.Kill Us All - 4/5
This another beat with a grand feel to it, featuring quality production, that will pump the listener up. Twista cuts loose here, rapping at near full speed, spitting violent battle lines. The end product is nice, if some what unoriginal.

3.Pimp On - 2.5/5
8 Ball & Too Short join Twista on the obligatory 'pimp' track. I'm not a big fan of the pimp tracks (they are rarely clever, often sounding stupid), and lyrically none of the MC's take the subject matter to anywhere it hasn't been often before. 8 Ball and Too Short have certaintly made better pimp joints.

4.Slow Jamz - 3.5/5
Sampled RnB vibed track, slows down the pace considerably, as super producer Kanye West, and Jamie Foxx, assist Twista. A very commercial sounding song, that still has plenty of soul and funk, suffers one major drawback... Twista... his frantic flow doesn't match the vibe or beat well, kind of ruining the track.
"Got you lookin at the gliss at my hands and wrists
While im likely at smokin on my canibus
When it come to rockin original like Marvin and Luther
I can tell you aint no messin with Kan-man and Twista
From the Chi and I be
Sippin Hennessey
Twistin almarie
Tryin to smoke a B
Dippin through the streets
Bumpin R&B"

5.Overnight Celebrity - 3/5
More sped up voice sampling... Twista slows the flow a little for this track... sounding surprisingly a little like Eminem. A potential hit, this track does grate after a few listens though.

6.Still Feels So Good - 2.5/5
Nice soulful beat is wasted with some appalling lyrics from Twista "wax on, wax off, like Mr Miaochi". Non Hip Hop fans may appreciate the vibe, but this type of 'chilled' herb track has been done much better.
"Now I done seen plenty ni**as flip twenty's, flip twenty one's,
Flip twenty two's, flip Jordans, flip two-fours,
Mega ballin', new clothes,
Momma got a new store, tv screens, hundred-forty spokes"

7.Drinks - 1/5
Bassy synthesized beat is average. Twista changes his flow noticeably on this track... coming off a little lazy sounding. This track sounds like filler. Next.

8.Badunkadunk - 1.5/5
Southern sounding beat, lets Twista get back to his quick fire technique. Unfortunately lyrically, Twista is still redundant, and the beat sounds like it is missing some bass.

9.One Last Time - 4.5/5
Darker yet still commercial beat, now lays the platform for a gangsta track. Twista's flow fits well with the gangsta theme, as he fires lines like a gatling. The RnB chorus, doesn't take over the track, and succesfully provides an almost haunting melody inbetween verses. Nice.

10.Shows Over - 2.5/5
Sexy soul beat. Twista along with Freeway and the crooning of Bennie Franks, lay more of an RnB song than a Hip Hop song... this has single written all over it. However once again this is another example of track where Twistas flow just doesn't suit the vibe, even the the 'ode to ladies' lyrics are on point.

11.Higher - 2/5
Sometimes I think I'm the only person that thinks Ludacris is crap. This song doesn't change my mind... Ludacris guests with more of his child like lyrics, straight away ruining the track, which is a shame because Twista spits fire, murdering Luda, only enhancing my belief that Ludacris is a poor MC.

12.Snoopin - 2.5/5
Gentle guitar beat, slows the pace of the album down again. Twista raps about relationship problems, in this shameless RnB crossover track, that Ja Rule and Fat Joe used to have a fix on. Only teenage girls need apply for this song.

13.Like A 24 - 2.5/5
Southern bounce track featuring T.I. and Liffy Strokes. The beat is good but feels a little out of place amongst the more East Coast RnB type beats that populate the album. Lacking intelligent lyrics, and creativity, this track will make you nod your head however.

14.Hope - 4.5/5
More soft guitar beats, but with a more raw edge, as Twista, along with the extreme talents of Cee-Lo, show there gentle sides, singing about... basically... 'Hope'. Twista gets his flow right on this slower joint, spitting some deep lines about his hopes for many dead musicians, and even the whole worlds war like state. The track sounds genuine, and reminds me of the Tupac/Nas collabo song 'Thugz Mansion'. Cee-Lo sings just the chorus, but still has a positive impact.

15.Lovely Day - 4.5/5
Soulful pulsing beat, with a tight drum loop, has a feel good attitude. Twista spits a few cliched lines, but still sounds nice with an uptempo feel of a young man, making good. Anthony Hamilton gives a strong performance on the chorus.

16.Art And Life - 3/5
Roc-A-Fella click track with Memphis Bleek, Freeway, and Young Chris joining in to help finish off the album. Ho hum song that sounds like the million other Roc click joints, just minus the talents of Mr Carter. Though Young Chris does an annoying impersonation of Hova.
"Twista will rock you, you don't want tha thug apostle to pop you,
Hostile when I drop you, turnin' everything colossal to fossiles,
I speak street gospel, all they life I spit words and paint portraits,
For real ni**as that hold down they fortress and serve off of porches"

I wasn't sure what to expect with this album. I enjoy Twista as an MC, but wasn't confident he could pull off a great album, even with the tight producers that Roc-A-Fella has. In fact the production on the whole is very polished, sometimes a little too on the RnB edge, but overall impressive.

Twista though, while extremely talented, can sometimes sound a little novelty like. His rapid lyrics, can be too much for 16 tracks straight, and the plethora of guests on the album fail to shine brightly (except T.I., Cee-Lo and Anthony Hamilton). I also got the feeling that alot of RnB edged tracks were included to help provide some variety. Unfortunately these tend to be the biggest weak links, sounding dated and cynically commercial.

However the album is not a total dog. Their is enough good material to warrant a purchase for those that are fans of Twista, or those after a rap album with a positive commercial edge. Still I believe the Roc is still yet to find the talent to replace Jay-Z, Twista falls short with this effort, however keep a close eye on producer turned rapper Kanye West, he just might surprise everyone...