remarkable people
The ‘Slow Jamz’ rapper ‘willfully failed’ to pay income taxes between 2019 and 2023, the IRS says.
Rapper Twista could find himself behind bars after failing to pay income tax.
On June 24, the Chicago-based hip-hop artist — whose real name is Carl Mitchell — pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to pay more than $440,000 in federal income taxes between 2019 and 2023, according to the IRS. He faces up to five years in prison.
Twista “on purpose failed to pay income tax” despite earning income from performances, album sales, streaming and royalties. Even though both the IRS and the rapper’s own accountants told him he had a tax debt he was obligated to pay, he refused to settle what he owed.
Instead, he entered into an agreement with a third-party company that would pay him advances on future royalties, knowing that the IRS would not access those funds. In addition, Mitchell continued to make large purchases to support his lifestyle, including at least four luxury cars. He has unpaid tax liabilities back to 2011.
The sentencing is scheduled for October 22.
“Too many honest Americans work hard, pay their taxes and do the right thing to tolerate someone who thinks the rules don’t apply to them,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Mr. Mitchell was warned by both the IRS and his own accountant, yet he chose to continue evading his tax obligations. It’s a choice – not a mistake. The IRS Criminal Investigation doesn’t care how famous you are or what you’ve accomplished. If you willfully refuse to pay your taxes, we will follow the money and bring you to justice.”
Twista’s biggest hit is his 2004 track “Slow Jamz” featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx. It appeared on both of Twista’s albums Kamikaze and West’s debut The school dropout and reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1992, Twista (then known as Tung Twista) got a seat in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s fastest English-speaking rapper, spitting out 598 syllables in 55 seconds.
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