[1][2] The album features guest appearances from Tyme, Dra Day, Tia London, Tech N9ne, Wiz Khalifa, Berner, DJ Victoriouz, Gritz, R. Kelly, Chief Keef and Stunt Taylor.

On August 16, 2011, Twista announced he had begun working on his ninth studio album, tilted The Dark Horse.

I’m always listening to the new mixtapes so that I can naturally stay on pace with the younger cats when I’m making my album.

You on that turn up drill vibe, you gonna hear me and Chief Keef getting in on the album.

The Dark Horse may damn the corporate music industry for not giving Twista an in, but this rough-and-tumble album filled with standoffish street cuts proves that indie life suits the rapper, so expect more punch and less perfection.

"[10] Kellan Miller of XXL stated, "The problem with The Dark Horse really comes down to lacking any sense of direction rather than a display of mediocre talent.

Too often Twista is dragged down by the performances of his superfluous guests, or an overall misguided push for imaginative ventures.

Recent veterans like Nas and Mobb Deep have cooled their attempts to nestle in the contemporary mix, effectively transitioning to the paths that propelled them past their competition in the first place.

On “6 Rings,” Twista reverts to his “Kill Us All” days and ends things on a high-voltage note.

"[11] The album debuted at number 40 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 6,722 copies in the United States.