Rap Legend Twista Pleads Guilty as IRS Pursues $440,000 in Unpaid Taxes, Faces Up to Five Years in Prison

Rapper Twista built a career on platinum albums, sold-out performances and one of hip-hop's fastest deliveries, yet his latest appearance came inside a federal courtroom rather than a recording studio. Carl Mitchell, the Chicago artist known professionally as Twista, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to pay income taxes, exposing himself to criminal penalties.

Taxes continued accumulating despite years of earnings from concerts, streaming platforms, album sales and royalty payments. According to FOX 32 Chicago, federal prosecutors say Mitchell owes more than $440,000 in unpaid taxes dating back to 2011, although the guilty plea covers tax years 2019 through 2023.

Revenue from his music catalog remained strong while prosecutors say repeated warnings from the IRS and Mitchell's own accountants went unanswered. Court records also allege he obtained advances on future royalty payments through a third-party company, preventing the government from easily levying those funds while his unpaid tax obligations continued growing in severity.

IRS investigators further allege Mitchell purchased at least four luxury vehicles instead of directing available money toward his federal tax obligations. Prosecutors contend those financial decisions added weight to a criminal case built on years of unpaid taxes, repeated notices from the government and mounting financial penalties.

Rise to national recognition transformed Twista into one of Chicago's signature rap voices through hits including "Overnight Celebrity" and appearances on "Slow Jamz." Federal sentencing now represents another defining chapter in a career once measured almost exclusively by chart success, altering its trajectory.

Pivotal sentencing proceedings are scheduled for Oct. 22, when a federal judge will weigh sentencing guidelines along with other statutory factors before deciding punishment. Each misdemeanor count carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, although the court alone will determine the final resolution.

Chicago helped shape Twista into one of hip-hop's most recognizable performers, making the federal tax case an unexpected turn in a career built on commercial success and lyrical speed. Such proceedings also reinforce the IRS's position that celebrity status does not exempt anyone from federal tax obligations, serving as a lasting reminder.