Twista - The Day After

The Days After...?

The name says it all. Two seconds into a track, you already know who it is with no hesitation. Twista has made a career out of his rapid fire flow which at first seemed kind of gimmicky but in the end established itself as rather unique. Roger Troutman’s computer machine was gimmicky. Twista’s flow is quite genuine. He took a regional sound and made it recognizable across the nation. So recognizable that if another dude from the Chi tried to establish himself as a twisting rapper he would be accused of biting. His last album, Kamikaze, was one of the best albums of that year and it was the first time that he had gained somewhat of a following that wasn’t cultish. The Day After failed to capture that magic and was an extreme drop in quality from his previous effort.

There was a time when a Twista intro was something to look forward to…but not this time. Get it How You Live gives us a break from his normal flow and shows that he can slow it down and sound just as good. A little help from Scott Storch didn’t hurt either. Do Wrong is a track that features Lil’ Kim and a sample from Al Green. This track didn’t disappoint, but Twista could have schooled Kim before she tried to mimic his style. On Heartbeat, Twista does a duet with…a demon? It was a good stab at creativity, but the song was wack all the same. Hip-hop’s favorite cameo (Pitbull) brings it on Hit the Floor, a song that will make you do just that if you’re up in the club.

Has he come with a weak verse in recent memory? No. I don’t think so. But he definitely has done his share of hot garbage tracks (mostly on this album). Hooks have never been his strength which is evident on his solo projects. The album also gets repetitive at times. Yes the thighs are thick, yes she looks good in a thong and we believe that you can’t wait to get shorty home, so there is no need to reiterate on every other song. It seems that he has gotten comfortable in his old age. A phrase that no rapper ever wants to hear in his career, but it’s the truth. He’s been grinding for years, at least 15. In this decade, he’s become a very formidable and recognizable artist. He was still hungry when Adrenaline Rush and Kamikaze came out. Now he is not. Twista’s paid…and it shows.

Hot Trax: I’m A Winner, Hit the Floor, Do Wrong, Girl Tonite