Back to the Basics (EP)

Back to the Basics is the second extended play (EP) by American hip hop recording artist Twista, released on December 10, 2013 under his record label, GMG Entertainment.[1][2][3] The project is the Chicago emcee's second EP of his career – the first one is 2 for 10 (2005) – and follows his eighth studio album, The Perfect Storm (2010). It serves as prelude to his upcoming ninth studio album, The Dark Horse (2014).[4] The seven-track EP features production from The Legendary Traxster, DJ Tight Mike and Lo-Key, and two guest appearances, from Dra Day and DJ Victoriouz.[5][6] The EP was preceded by two music videos – "Intro/Freestyle," and "Beast."[7][8]

Back to the Basics
EP by
Twista
ReleasedDecember 10, 2013 (2013-12-10)
Recorded2013
GenreHip hop
Length23:11
LabelGMG
Producer
Twista chronology
The Perfect Storm
(2010)		 Back to the Basics
(2013)		 Dark Horse
(2014)

Background

In an interview with The Real Hip-Hop in December 2013, Twista explained that the title his EP "pertains" to him "more than the industry".[9] "Sometimes I'll lose sense of self trying to try so many things. I'm so creative that I'll try different things that's out the box and when I feel like I'm going too far out the box I bring it back in. Right at that time when I was bringing it back in I said I wanted to title my new EP Back to the Basics [because] that's what [I'm going to] get to as far as the Twista sound and doing what I do that I know people like."[9]

The Chicago emcee selected a few songs that he felt was "a good warm-up for people to get reacquainted with Twista" before releasing his upcoming full-length album, titled The Dark Horse, in 2014.[9]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
XXL (L)[10]

Upon its release, Back to the Basics received generally mixed reviews from music critics. M.T. Richards of XXL gave the album an L, saying "There’s a certainly a shortage of radio fodder on Back to the Basics: the hooks are modest, the beats conservative. Technique is Twista’s weapon of choice and foremost priority. We listen to the Rust Belt legend for stuttery but graceful thickets of rhyme, verses that wind like a labyrinth and smoke like black powder."[10]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro/Freestyle"
  • C. Mitchell
  • S. Lindley
The Legendary Traxster2:47
2."Ferocious"
  • C. Mitchell
  • S. Lindley
The Legendary Traxster3:12
3."Just Like That" (featuring Dra Day)
  • C. Mitchell
  • M. Moore
DJ Tight Mike3:19
4."Beast"
  • C. Mitchell
  • M. Moore
DJ Tight Mike3:32
5."Put It Down"
  • C. Mitchell
  • D. Parker
  • S. Lindley
The Legendary Traxster3:17
6."Swagga Like a Dopeboy"
  • C. Mitchell
  • M. Moore
DJ Tight Mike3:14
7."Want My Love" (featuring DJ Victoriouz)
  • C. Martin
  • C. Mitchell
  • D. Woods
Lo-Key3:50
Total length:23:11
Notes
  • Track 4 "Beast" & Track 7 "Want My love" were also released on Twista's 9th album The Dark Horse in 2014.

Charts
Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11] 49

References
  1. "UB First Look: Official Tracklisting to Twista's "Back To The Basics" EP". UrbanBridgez.com. 29 Nov 2013. Retrieved 9 Dec 2013.
  2. Ju, Shirley (30 Nov 2013). "Twista 'Back To The Basics' Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklisting". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 9 Dec 2013.
  3. "iTunes - Music - Back To the Basics by Twista". iTunes.com. Retrieved 10 Dec 2013.
  4. "Twista - Back to the Basics EP - Stream". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 9 Dec 2013.
  5. Smith, Trevor (29 Nov 2013). "Twista Reveals 'Back To The Basics' EP Artwork [Update Tracklist Revealed]". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved 9 Dec 2013.
  6. Augustin, Camille (29 Nov 2013). "Twista Unveils 'Back To The Basics' Artwork And Tracklist". Vibe.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  7. Lobenfeld, Claire (2 Dec 2013). "Twista Unveils Ominous "Intro" to His Back To Basics EP". Complex.com. Retrieved 9 Dec 2013.
  8. Ortiz, Edwin (6 Dec 2013). "Twista Goes Into "Beast" Mode in New Music Video". Complex.com. Retrieved 9 Dec 2013.
  9. Shabazz, Sherron (13 Dec 2013). "Twista: Back to the Basics". TheRealHip-Hop.com. Retrieved 29 Dec 2013.
  10. "Twista Ventures Into Familiar Territory On 'Back To The Basics' EP - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  11. "Twista Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
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