Twista Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Charges

Chicago rapper Twista has pleaded guilty to five federal counts of willfully failing to pay income taxes.

Court documents show the 52-year-old artist, born Carl Mitchell, admitted to the charges in U.S. District Court last month. Prosecutors said he failed to pay income taxes from 2019 through 2023 despite earning money from performances, streaming royalties, album sales, and music licensing.

According to prosecutors, the IRS and his accountants repeatedly warned him about his growing tax debt and his obligation to pay. Instead, they allege he arranged to receive advances on future royalty payments through a third-party company, making it harder for the IRS to collect the funds. Authorities also said he purchased at least four luxury vehicles during that time rather than paying his tax bill.

Court records state Twista's unpaid tax obligations date back to 2011 and total more than $440,000.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, although the final sentence will be decided by a federal judge. Twista is scheduled to be sentenced on October 22.