Every now and then, the Editor at Chronic co-signs on a new act.  Identifies that someone or group as the next best thing – a name you’ll hear about again.  Twisted Black is the second act of that kind.

Born in Michigan, but now a resident of Texas, Black got serious about the rap game in the early ‘90s as a member of the duo, One Gud Cide.   The group quickly achieved underground success with the album Look What The Streets Made which sold 10,000 copies in less than 30 days.  Unfortunately, that streak was short lived.  Just thirteen days after the release of their follow-up, Contradictions, Black was incarcerated for three years. After his release, he was eager to get back into the rap game, but music was over for his partner.

Today, Black is solo.  If you haven’t heard his name, you’re sleeping.

Chronicmagazine.com:   You’re a veteran in the game now.  You started in the early ‘90s.

Twisted Black:  Yeah. That’s when I turned it up a notch to a professional level.

Chronicmagazine.com:  What was it like being in a group?

Twisted Black:  That was great because I never intended on being a solo artist until towards the end of my career if at all.  My man and I had such good chemistry that I never even planned on it.  But when I got out of the penitentiary in 2002, he hadn’t done any work.  To me that was quitting, but I still wanted us to work on the album.  So, I started working on my solo project and the group project.  Eventually he said, ‘I don’t want to do a group project if you’re going to do a solo project’ and he quit. He was cold.  He was cold with his. 

Chronicmagazine.com:  Why do you think he quit?  Did he believe you all couldn’t make it?

Twisted Black:  He just didn’t have the passion.  He was a pretty intellectual dude. [Rap] was something he picked up and learned how to do.  He became good at it, but he never had the passion for it.

Chronicmagazine.com:  Were you always passionate about it or did going to jail strengthen it?

Twisted Black:  From day one.  I eat, drink and sh*t this stuff.  I love music, period.  I started playing piano as a squirt in Detroit when everyone else was playing football and basketball.  I was in the basement playing piano and sequencing beats.  I just love it.  If there was no money in it, I’d still do it.

Chronicmagazine.com:  Do you still see him?

Twisted Black:  Yeah.  We’re still good friends.

Chronicmagazine.com:  You went to jail around ’98.  So you had one foot in the rap game and one in the street.

Twisted Black:  That’s all the time.  I started going to jail at 13. 

Chronicmagazine.com:  Are you 100% in rap now?

Twisted Black:  Yeah.  I’m 100% in rap and I’m still 100% in the street too.

Chronicmagazine.com:  You can’t be 100% in both. That’s real.

Twisted Black:  (laughs) I’m a street cat.  I am street, but for a career it’s all music.  Even when I get millions of dollars, I’m going to be right here on the block kicking it with the homies.

Chronicmagazine.com:  That’s how you get in trouble though.  Look at people like 50.  He can’t go home.

Twisted Black:  Guess why he can’t go home.  He was poppin’ that hot sh*t and he didn’t mean it.  I’ve stood ten toes on these streets with no help – except my street family and that’s who you need out there.  I’m going to do the same thing [for the rest of] my life.  I’m going to be able to go home because I’m thorough.  I’m a good guy.  I don’t sit here and make things up or say I was this or that.  I don’t go to New York and say I’m from Dallas when I’m from Fort Worth because Dallas is bigger.  I just really believe if you just keep it real, you’ll always be accepted at the crib. 

People have always hated.  I always had cash. I wasn’t just out here thuggin.  I really haven’t been in trouble since ’94.  The times I went to the penitentiary since ’94 were for things I had done previously.  I’m on some grown man sh*t now.  I’ve got kids. 

Chronicmagazine.com:  What’s the music scene like in Texas?

Twisted Black:  There’s no door open.  There’s no real opportunities. You have to create your own avenue. 

Chronicmagazine.com:  Have you ever thought about moving?

Twisted Black:  I thought about it, but I’ve got family. I can’t just up and [leave].