Kamikaze (Twista album)

Kamikaze is the fourth studio album by American rapper Twista. It was released on January 27, 2004, by Atlantic Records. The album reached the top of the US Billboard 200 chart in early 2004, after the success of its lead single, "Slow Jamz". It sold 312,000 units in its first week of sales, and received generally positive reviews from critics.[1] It is Twista's most successful album, being certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Kamikaze
Studio album by
Twista
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2004
Recorded2003
Genre
Length65:55
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Twista chronology
Adrenaline Rush
(1997)		 Kamikaze
(2004)		 The Day After
(2005)
Singles from Kamikaze
  1. "Slow Jamz"
    Released: December 2, 2003
  2. "Overnight Celebrity"
    Released: March 9, 2004
  3. "So Sexy"
    Released: June 22, 2004
  4. "Sunshine"
    Released: August 26, 2004
  5. "So Sexy: Chapter II (Like This)"
    Released: September 21, 2004

Background

On his website, Twista stated that he made Kamikaze to show that he was still true to the ideals that he had when he started out. "I represent for the MCs that have skills, not just make music for the hell of it. I take the time to concentrate. Otherwise, I could have 10 albums out there, easy. I could sit down all day and write something. But I write when I get in a zone more than writing because I’ve got to do this. I represent the artists that keep it true to what really is, to be able to make rappers want to write."

"I want to show the streets that I'm back and that I'm true to the game. Musically, I want to show that I'm still out here doing my thing. After all the people that were out when I was out years ago fell off, I’m still out here competing with the shorties. I also want to gain platinum success. It's something that I haven't done."

The song "Sunshine" contains the backing track from Lovely Day by Bill Withers.

The song "Overnight Celebrity" contains a sample of the Lenny Williams' 1978 song "Cause I Love You".

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic66/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [2]
Blender [1]
Robert Christgau(choice cut) [3]
HipHopDX [4]
Pitchfork Media(6.4/10) [5]
PopMatters [1][6]
RapReviews(8.5/10) [7]
Rolling Stone [8]
USA Today [9]
Vibe [1]

The album has a score of 66 out of 100 based on "generally positive reviews".[1] The A.V. Club gave it a favorable review and stated that the album "feels eclectic without stooping to demographics-pandering, though its contradictory elements create a few jarring moments."[10] E! Online gave it a B and said, "Twista still manages to steal the limelight on hot booty-busters like 'Slow Jamz' and 'Pimp On.'"[1] Yahoo! Music UK gave it seven stars out of ten and called it "overlong, like almost every rap album today, and it's not the sort of place to come expecting erudition or insight. But for one singular rapper unwilling and unafraid to stick to his guns, it's a deeply satisfying record."[11] Other reviews are pretty average or mixed: Q gave it three stars out of five and said, "Twista's overshadowed by [Kanye] West, but with jacked-up soul tunes such as 'Overnight Celebrity', the result, who cares?"[1] The Village Voice, however, gave it a mixed review and said that the album "Suggests nothing so much as Adrenaline Rush part two."[12]

Commercial performance

The first single "Slow Jamz" featured Kanye West and Jamie Foxx. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and world R&B charts in early 2004. Kamikaze built on the success of "Slow Jamz" to reach the top of the Billboard 200 album charts on release in January 2004 and to go Platinum by March 2004. The second single "Overnight Celebrity" had also reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and world R&B chart in March 2004. The single "So Sexy" with R. Kelly reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a success.

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Get Me"C. Mitchell, F. Taylor, Leon Huff, Cary GilbertToxic3:10
2."Kill Us All"C. Mitchell, F. TaylorToxic4:13
3."Pimp On" (featuring 8Ball and Too Short)C. Mitchell, P. Smith, T. Shaw, F. TaylorToxic4:02
4."Slow Jamz" (featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx)C. Mitchell, Kanye West, E. Bishop, Burt Bacharach, Hal DavidWest3:32
5."Overnight Celebrity" (featuring Kanye West)C. Mitchell, K. West, Miri Ben-Ari, Michael Bennett, Lenny WilliamsWest3:54
6."Still Feels So Good" (featuring Jazze Pha)C. Mitchell, P. Alexander, F. TaylorToxic4:09
7."Drinks"C. Mitchell, F. TaylorToxic4:14
8."Badunkadunk" (featuring Jazze Pha)C. Mitchell, P. AlexanderJazze Pha4:14
9."One Last Time"C. Mitchell, K. WestWest4:56
10."So Sexy" (featuring R. Kelly)C. Mitchell, R. KellyR. Kelly3:51
11."Higher" (featuring Ludacris)C. Mitchell, C. Bridges, R. LeverstonWildstyle3:31
12."Snoopin’" (featuring Danny Boy)C. MitchellToxic5:22
13."Like a 24" (featuring T.I. and Liffy Stokes)C. Mitchell, C. HarrisThe Legendary Traxster4:28
14."Hope" (featuring Cee-Lo)C. Mitchell, T. Callaway, F. Taylor, C. MortonToxic4:33
15."Sunshine" (featuring Anthony Hamilton)C. Mitchell, Anthony Hamilton, A. Thelusma, Bill Withers, Skip ScarboroughRed Spyda3:44
16."Art & Life (Chi-Roc)" (featuring Memphis Bleek, Young Chris, and Freeway)C. Mitchell, M. Cox, C. Reis, L. Pridgen, D. Andrews, B. Bridgeman, Mike Caren, D. PalmerD-Roy and Mr. B, Mike Caren4:09
Total length:66:02

Bonus tracks

These songs were included on the re-released version of Kamikaze.

  1. "So Sexy: Chapter II (Like This)" (featuring R. Kelly)
  2. "Freek-a-Leek (Remix)" (featuring Petey Pablo & Jermaine Dupri)

"Y'all Know Who", produced by Toxic, was an international bonus track, while "Get Dat Doe", produced by Don Vito, was a bonus track in the UK

Notes

  • "Pimp On" features additional vocals by Bishop Don Magic Juan and Highbeam.
  • "Slow Jamz" features additional vocals by Aisha Tyler.
  • "Overnight Celebrity" features violins by Miri Ben-Ari, keyboards by John Legend, and additional vocals by Kanye West.
  • "Still Feels So Good" features additional vocals by Ms. Kane.
  • "Drinks" features additional vocals by Highbeam.
  • "Badunkadunk" features additional vocals by Jazze Pha.
  • "So Sexy" features guitars by Greg Landfair, additional keys by Rodney East, and additional vocals by JS.
  • "Snoopin'" features additional vocals by Danny Boy.
  • "Hope" features additional vocal production by Mike Caren and a children's choir led by Yvonne Williams
  • "Sunshine" features additional vocal production by Mike Caren

Sample credits

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[28] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Critic Reviews for Kamikaze". Metacritic. 2004-01-27. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  2. Jeffries, David. "Kamikzae - Twista". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  3. "CG: twista". Robert Christgau. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  4. Koslow, Jessica (2004-02-28). "Twista - Kamikaze | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 2011-01-29. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  5. Fennessey, Sean (2004-02-09). "Twista: Kamikaze". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  6. Cibula, Matt (2004-02-13). "Twista: Kamikaze". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  7. Juon, Steve "Flash" (2004-02-03). "Feature for February 3, 2004 - Twista's "Kamikaze"". RapReviews. Archived from the original on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  8. Hoard, Christian (2004-01-30). "Kamikaze : Twista : Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  9. Jones, Steve (2004-02-05). "Twista resonates, Connick impersonates (Twista, Kamikaze)". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  10. Rabin, Nathan (2004-02-03). "Twista: Kamikaze". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  11. Batey, Angus (2004-04-05). "Twista - 'Kamikaze'". Yahoo! Music UK. Archived from the original on 2004-08-14. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  12. Caramanica, Jon (2004-03-16). "Fast and Folliclous". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  13. Lenny Williams - Midnight Girl / 'Cause I Love You at Discogs
  14. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 287.
  15. "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 2nd August 2004" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (753): 16. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023 – via Pandora Archive.
  16. "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. February 19, 2004. Archived from the original on December 10, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  17. "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. April 1, 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  18. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  19. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  20. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  21. "Twista Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  22. "Twista Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  23. "The Official UK Albums Chart 2004" (PDF). Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  24. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  25. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  26. "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2004" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  27. "British album certifications – Twista – Kamikaze". British Phonographic Industry.
  28. "American album certifications – Twista – Kamikaze". Recording Industry Association of America.
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