Twista’s money problems just got real serious. The Chicago rap legend, born Carl Mitchell, has pleaded guilty in a federal tax case after authorities said he failed to pay more than $440,000 in income taxes while still earning money from music, performances, streaming, royalties, and other entertainment income.
According to new report by ABC7 Chicago, Twista signed his guilty plea in federal court on May 26, with legal filings showing he agreed to pay back $441,059.91 to the government. He was accused of failing to pay income taxes between 2019 and 2023.
Per the IRS Criminal Investigation, the rapper pleaded guilty to five counts of willfully failing to pay income tax. Prosecutors said both the IRS and his accountants repeatedly warned him about his tax debts and obligation to pay, but he still refused. Authorities also claimed he entered into agreements with a third-party company to receive advances on future royalties, allegedly knowing the IRS would not be able to easily levy those funds.
The IRS also said Twista made “large purchases” instead of paying his taxes, including at least four luxury vehicles. His unpaid tax liabilities reportedly date back to 2011. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 22, 2026, and faces up to one year in prison on each count. IRS Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes did not mince words, saying, “That’s a choice—not a mistake.”
The case is a major headline because Twista is not just any rapper. He is one of Chicago’s most recognizable hip-hop veterans, known for his rapid-fire delivery and longtime influence on Midwest rap. His biggest mainstream moment came with “Kamikaze,” the 2004 album powered by “Slow Jamz” featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx. According to Billboard, “Kamikaze” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after selling 312,000 copies in its first week.
That album became the biggest commercial project of Twista’s career. “Kamikaze” earned double-platinum status from the RIAA, while his 1997 album “Adrenaline Rush” was also RIAA platinum-certified. His follow-up album, “The Day After,” was certified gold, giving Twista millions in certified U.S. album units across his major releases.
As for how much money he made in his career, his exact lifetime earnings are not publicly confirmed. However, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Twista’s net worth at around $1 million. That number is only an estimate and does not reflect total career revenue, which would include touring, publishing, royalties, advances, features, licensing, streaming, and business deals.
Twista is far from the first rapper to have IRS trouble. According to the Department of Justice, Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison after failing to file tax returns on more than $2.3 million in income. Per the DOJ, Ja Rule admitted he failed to file tax returns, resulting in more than $1.1 million in tax losses. DMX was sentenced to one year in prison for tax fraud after prosecutors said he concealed millions from the IRS.
For artists, Twista’s case is another reminder that hit records, tour money, royalties, and luxury purchases do not erase tax bills. The music business may move fast, but the IRS usually catches up.
