Let’s hop right into this brand new studio set, that’s your 9th studio collection, or solo collection, I should say, you titled it “Dark Horse”. Conceptually, what does that name represent?

Definitely coming from the traditional standpoint, and I like the name… when I was reading the story one day about the Beatles, and one of members being the dark horse of the group, his participation, what he did… You know, I pay attention to Ray Allen or Mike Miller hitting those shots, in particular for the Heat, they were like the dark horse of that, so when I look at it, I look at it conceptually from how I am, personality-wise. I’m laid back, not a lot of “rah rah,” I speak with my music, so when I drop, it is usually a dark horse effect, I come out of the blue doing something that nobody expected.  It was that, along with just different areas, I can take it, I look at the “Dark Horse” as something of a concept for somebody being underprivileged or handicapped, or somebody in a predicament where you might think that they might not be able to achieve something or win something, and they come on top, like: “Wow, I can’t believe, the dude who was handicapped won the (UFC) match,” or: “Man, I can’t believe that dude won.” So those are just different concepts like that, the album represents from that standpoint.

How then does “Dark Horse” differ and/or compare to previous Twista efforts?

Giving you that vintage sound, I take pride in that, and I feel like a lot of artists get away from it, and I think that a lot of artist don’t know how to co-exist or give you new music or new sound, or take an advantage of those new thoughts of creativity, but still, satisfying the fans with what the fans want to hear from you. When I think about Scarface or MJG anything, nothing will fascinate me more than music coming out of them, sounding like the vantage way I’m used to hearing them sound. So I just use that thought process when I do my music, so when you hear “The Dark Horse,” you’re going to hear new music, new songs, new features, today’s topics, but you’re going to hear that Twista vintage style.

“Dark Horse” is, of course, is the official follow-up to the 2010 “The Perfect Storm.” Now, although that project was a very solid album, the records somewhat seems to fly under the mainstream radar. Did you kind of agree with that stance on the record?

Yes, to a certain extent I agree, but as far as me putting out music and, you know, being in it for the main reason that I wanted to do music, I was happy with still doing what I do. So, whether a  project, you know, people always talk about: “This project failed” or “This project did that,” but you know, to still be in a predicament, or shall I say, to still be in it, as long as I have, and to be doing what I’m doing, it’s always a success if I can put out music and go out and still do my thing for my fans.

Remember, we live in an era where somebody cannot know artist’s name, but that person can be doing sellout shows. I think it’s dope right now that we live in an era where artists can have enough of his own fan base that he can go out there, rock and eat and live his dreams, and you don’t even have to know. Know what I’m saying?

Absolutely. And having said, the second part of that question you sorta just answered, because I was wondering if you’re disappointed in the overall reception or the outcome of your previous LP, but I guess you’re pretty much content in how everything kind of panned out.

I mean, we’re trying to get it in the world where music is free now. Any amount that we can sell is a success these days you know what I’m saying? You gotta be involved in it for more than just the music standpoint, a bigger picture than just the music. If you can well rounded in this business, you can be alright.

Now, what prompted your decision to take off so much time between projects?

The creative stuff too is always life stuff too. You stickin’ and movin’, you might be working on this project at a certain time, or might take some time off to take care of this… So, you know, it might be business. It’s always different reasons. I never really took a full break. You might not see me right at the top in the mainstream of everything, but I’m always doing something. I might not be fully exposed to the public all the time, but I’m definitely always doing something. So, it is always that “Twista’s back” feeling when I jump back into this platform of it, but I’m definitely always working on doing something.

And having said that, besides of course putting together “Dark Horse,” what else had you been up to, but on personal and professional level?

A little bit of everything, man. And definitely having a creative mind, just always trying to come up with new things to jump in to, I’ve got a lot of creative buddies around me, you know, people that are involved with my company. We’re always trying things, some merchandize or something with the clothing company, or helping somebody with their foundation or doing something for charity. Just involved with different things that I like so much.

Speaking of that, Get Money Gang Entertainment is the label. What are your future plans and goals for the imprint, and who makes the roster outside, of course, yourself?

Right now I make up the roster. We’ve got some acts that are involved with GMG, but right now the roster’s Twista, and you’ve got a few guys around that are involved with it, but right now, GMG is working on Twista, we’re pushing this “Dark Horse” project, and this is the main focus right now for GMG, this Twista’s “Dark Horse” project, as well as certain things that we do management-wise we’re pushing my homie Stunt Taylor from Chicago, whose killin’ ‘em right now, we do got my man Bandman Kevo whose killin’ ‘em right now, we got my man Drey Day from Chicago (who’s killing right now), and you know, we still got other people we mess with right now, like my man Showtime, that’s another person that rocks with (GMG), he’s doing his thing. So you know we’ve got a bunch of stuff that we’re crackin’.

What comes to mind when I ask what has been your biggest Hip-Hop moment or your biggest career moment, at least thus far?

Man, that’s a good one! It’s hard to pick one, because I’m thinking of on being on tour with Jay-Z, coming out city after city, performing my part on “Is That Yo Chick,” I’m remembering first walking into the studio with P. Diddy, and writing the song (“Is This the End?”) with me, him and Genuine, and I’m thinking of shooting a video with me, Jamie Foxx and Kanye West, (“The Slow Jamz”), so those are the three moment that come to mind when you say that.

Okay. And finally, is there anything you would like to leave our readers with?

Man, I really just want everybody to focus on the album, “Dark Horse” which dropped August 12th, and you know, Twista’s still here! Check out my remixes, I’ll be killing with the remixes coming up, so just listen to what Twista’s got in store.

by: Todd Davis