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{{short description|American rapper (born 1966)}}
{{Infobox Band
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
| band_name = Too $hort
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = [[Image:Tooshort.gif|200px]]‎
| caption =
| name = Too Short
| image = Too Short 2023 (cropped)2.jpg
| years_active = [[1983]]-present
| origin = [[Oakland, California]]
| caption = Too Short performing in August 2023
| country = [[United States]]
| birth_name = Todd Anthony Shaw
| music_genre = [[West Coast hip hop]]
| alias = Short Dogg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|4|28}}
| record_label = [[Up All Nite Records]](1985-Present)<br>[[Jive Records]] (1989-Present)
| discography = [[Too Short discography]]
| current_members =
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| past_members =
| origin = [[Oakland, California]], U.S.<ref name="starpulse1">{{cite web |url=http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Too_Short/Biography/ |title=Too Short Biography |publisher=Starpulse.com |access-date=November 22, 2011 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042830/http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Too_Short/Biography/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web|last=Bush |first=John |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/too-short-p132295/biography |title=Too $hort: Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref>
| website = [http://www.tooshortworld.com http://www.tooshortworld.com]
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[West Coast hip hop]]<ref name="allmusic1" />
* [[gangsta rap]]<ref name="allmusic1" />
* [[dirty rap]]<ref name="allmusic1" />
* [[G-funk]]<ref name="allmusic1" />
}}
| occupations = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* songwriter
* record producer
* record executive
}}
| years_active = 1983–present<ref>{{cite web|author=John Bush|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/too-hort-mn0001052511|title=Too Short|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref>
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Empire Distribution|EMPIRE]]
* OG
* [[EMI]]
* [[Jive Records|Jive]]
* [[Thump Records|Thump]]
* [[Priority Records|Priority]]
* [[#Up All Nite Records|Up All Nite]]
}}
| current_member_of = [[Mount Westmore|Mt. Westmore]]
| past_member_of = [[The Dangerous Crew]]
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 1
| website = {{URL|tooshortstore.com}}
{{Infobox
| child=yes
| header = Logo
| headerstyle = background:#b0c4de
| data1 = }}
}}
}}
}}


'''Todd Anthony Shaw''' (born April 28, 1966),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0790001/|title=Too $hort|website=IMDb.com}}</ref><ref name="starpulse1" /><ref name="allmusic1" /> better known by his stage name '''Too Short''' (stylized as '''Too $hort'''), is an American rapper. A pioneer of [[West Coast hip hop]], Shaw was among the first acts to receive recognition in the genre during the late 1980s. His lyrics were often based on [[pimping]] and [[promiscuity]], but also drug culture and street survival;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/hip-hop-media-training/too-short-mother-finding-dirty-rap-book-hip-210350674.html|title=Too Short On Mother Finding His Dirty Rap Book And "The Hip Hop Dance Experience" Video Game|date=November 8, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> exemplified respectively in his most popular singles "[[Blow the Whistle (song)|Blow the Whistle]]" and "[[The Ghetto (Too Short song)|The Ghetto]]." He is one of few acts to have worked with both [[Tupac Shakur]] and [[the Notorious B.I.G.]] during the height of their respective careers.<ref name="starpulse1" /><ref name="allmusic1" /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015022639/http://www.vh1.com/shows/couples_therapy/cast_member.jhtml?personalityId=15722 "Couples Therapy: Cast: Todd "Too Short" Shaw And Monica Payne"]. VH1. Retrieved October 10, 2012.</ref>
'''Too $hort''', or '''Too Short''', (born '''Todd Anthony Shaw''' on [[April 28]] [[1966]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]) is a [[rapper]] who started his career as a youth in [[Oakland, California]]. Through his music, Too $hort has cultivated a persona of a no-nonsense [[pimp]], and is widely credited for popularizing pimp culture in [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], along with [[Ice T]].


Shaw began recording in 1983, and cultivated a regional following with three independent projects tailored for his native [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]. His fourth album, ''[[Born to Mack]]'' (1987) sold an estimated 50,000 units from Shaw's car trunk,<ref name="CL">{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=8 |page=212}}</ref> leading to a commercial re-issue by [[Jive Records]] the following year. His fifth album, ''[[Life Is... Too Short]]'' (1988) received [[RIAA certification#List of certifications|double platinum]] certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) and became his first entry on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. His sixth album, ''[[Short Dog's In The House]]'' (1990) peaked at number 20 on the chart while marking his first and highest-charting [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] entry as a lead artist with its single, "The Ghetto." His following four albums—''[[Shorty the Pimp]]'' (1992), ''[[Get in Where You Fit In]]'' (1993), ''[[Cocktails (album)|Cocktails]]'' (1995), and ''[[Gettin' It (Album Number Ten)]]'' (1996)—each peaked within the top ten of the ''Billboard'' 200 and received [[RIAA certification|platinum]] certifications by the RIAA.
==Biography==


In 1988, he formed the group [[The Dangerous Crew]] with Oakland-based rappers and producers, and in 2020, he formed the West Coast hip hop group [[Mount Westmore]] with frequent collaborators [[Ice Cube]], [[Snoop Dogg]] and [[E-40]]. In 2006, he formed the record label [[#Up All Nite Records|Up All Nite Records]], through which he signed [[hyphy]] group [[The Pack (group)|the Pack]] (which included then-unknown rapper [[Lil B]]).
Too $hort is one of the pioneers of the [[West Coast hip hop]] sound. Initially, his first releases had raw and simple drum beats using a [[TR-808]] or [[TR-909]] drum machine. With his 1989 release, ''[[Life Is...Too $hort]]'', he began infusing [[Funk]] and [[Blues]] sounds with his trademark beats giving birth to the Bay Area hip-hop sound known as Mobb music. While $hort's backing tracks have matured, his trademark rap style has changed little throughout his career - something $hort takes pride in both in songs and interviews.


==Early life==
In the early [[1980s]] $hort produced custom raps for people with his high school friend, Freddie B[http://www.sixshot.com/articles/6190/]. In 1986, Too $hort and Freddie B. founded the Dangerous Music record label to distribute his music regionally. Dangerous Music has since changed names to ''Short Records'' ($hort Records), and now ''Up All Night Music''.
Shaw was born and raised in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].<ref name="starpulse12">{{cite web |title=Too Short Biography |url=http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Too_Short/Biography/ |access-date=November 22, 2011 |publisher=Starpulse.com |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042830/http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Too_Short/Biography/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="allmusic12">{{cite web |last=Bush |first=John |title=Too $hort: Biography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/too-short-p132295/biography |access-date=November 22, 2011 |publisher=AllMusic}}</ref> In 1980, he and his family moved to [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]. He was a drummer in the band at [[Fremont High School (Oakland, California)|Fremont High School]] in Oakland.<ref>{{cite news| first= Chip | last= Johnson | url= http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/johnson/article/Too-hort-singing-a-new-tune-2464821.php | title= Too $hort singing a new tune | work= [[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date= December 26, 2006 }}</ref>


==Career==
Too $hort has released 16 albums to date, with his latest being ''Blow The Whistle'' which contains a newly released single, the title track "[[Blow the Whistle (song)|Blow the Whistle]]" (2006) In his 1996 release ''Gettin' It (Album 10)'' $hort claimed he was retiring, stating this was "the last album" in the title track. This retirement was short lived when he returned in 1999 releasing his album ''Can't Stay Away''. Every album has included a picture of Too $hort on the cover, except the compilation albums.
In the mid-1980s, Shaw, along with high school friend Freddy B, produced custom songs (called "special requests") locally on cassette for people in Oakland and the Bay Area. In 1985, Too Short started his solo career and released his debut album, ''[[Don't Stop Rappin']]'' on Oakland record label 75 Girls Records And Tapes which, along with four 12" releases, featured raw, simple drum beats from a [[LinnDrum]] [[drum machine]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/51352-Too-Short|title=Too Short|website=Discogs.com}}</ref> This was also one of the first hip hop recordings to use the word "[[bitch (insult)|bitch]]" – a word which became one of the rapper's trademarks and was the focus of subsequent songs such as "Ain't Nothin' but a Word to Me".


In the early 1990s, his self-produced beats came from mostly a [[TR-808]] and from mid-to-late 2000s, a [[TR-909]] was used. In 1985, Too Short and Freddie B. formed the label Dangerous Music to regionally distribute his music, and with others formed rap group [[the Dangerous Crew]].<ref name="amg">Bush, John. [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p132295|pure_url=yes}} Too Short – Biography]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved September 16, 2007.</ref> Dangerous Music became Short Records, and then Up All Nite Records. With his 1988 release, ''[[Life Is... Too Short]]'', he began using replayed established [[funk]] riffs (rather than samples) with his beats.
He appeared on the hit "Player's Holiday" which appears on T.W.D.Y.'s (1999) debut album and [[Priority Records]] compilation "Nuthin But A Gangsta Party." After the appearances, he began working on his 11th album which was appropriately titled ''Can't Stay Away''. The album included guest appearances by [[Eightball & MJG]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] (now P. Diddy), [[E-40]], [[Daz Dillinger]], [[Lil' Jon]], [[Soopafly]], [[Scarface]] and B-Legit, as well as well recognized verses by $hort himself. When he relocated to Atlanta in (1994), he began working with a more diverse variety of artists including [[Twista]] and [[Lil Jon]].


Subsequent work was primarily collaborative, including work with [[Tupac Shakur]], [[the Notorious B.I.G.]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], and [[Pimp C]]. One of his notable collaborations during this period was on the track "The World Is Filled..." on the Notorious B.I.G. album ''[[Life After Death]]''; he comes in on the third verse after Diddy and Biggie. Being featured on the album introduced him to a wider audience as well, due to his typical style contrasting greatly with the Mafioso theme of the album. He also appeared on TWDY's hit single "Player's Holiday" from their 1999 debut album ''[[Derty Werk]]''<ref>[{{AllMusic |class= song|id= t3234194| pure_url=yes}} TWDY – "Player's Holiday"], AllMusic.</ref> as well as the [[Priority Records]] compilation ''Nuthin but a Gangsta Party''.<ref>Wilson, MacKenzie. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r487431|pure_url=yes}} "Nuthin' but a Gangsta Party" – Overview], AllMusic.</ref> After these appearances, he began working on his eleventh album, ''[[Can't Stay Away]]''. The album included guest appearances by [[8Ball & MJG]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Sean Combs]], [[E-40]], [[Daz Dillinger]], [[Lil Jon]], [[Soopafly]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]] and [[B-Legit]].<ref name="mtv.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20041027131156/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427330/19990629/puff_daddy.jhtml Too $hort Adds Puffy Track To Upcoming LP]. [[MTV]]: June 29, 1999.</ref>
In 1994, $hort relocated from Oakland to Atlanta, but he still represents his Oakland roots as on his 2003 record he has a track titled "California Girls." Along with his crafty appearances, $hort has been able to remain a prominent figure on the underground scene, a West Coast hero, and an overall legend by constantly updating and reinventing his sound. $hort has come from rapping over raw drum beats, through the [[G-funk]] era, through the [[San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]] signature sound, and on his latest efforts, the [[crunk]] era. He guest appeared on his close friend Lil Jon's album and scored a hit record with the track "Bia Bia" along with [[Ludacris]] and Chyna White. He is often cited as the originator of the phrase "Bee-yatch" in [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]].


Too Short relocated to [[Atlanta]] in 1994, but he did not begin working with a more diverse variety of Southern artists until 2000, when he collaborated with [[Lil Jon]]. With the 1999 release of ''[[Can't Stay Away]]'', Too Short came out of retirement, continuing his sexually explicit, relaxed style of rap.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/cant-stay-away-mw0000602388|title=Can't Stay Away – Too $hort &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> New albums released 2000–2003 were ''[[You Nasty]]'' (2000), ''[[Chase the Cat]]'' (2001), ''[[What's My Favorite Word?]]'' (2002), and ''[[Married to the Game]]'' (2003). These albums all charted fairly well, as they all were in the top 71 of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], but they did not do as well as Too Short's earlier 1990s releases, as none of them reached the top 10.<ref name=autogenerated1>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p132295|pure_url=yes}} Too Short > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums]</ref>
Too $hort is one of the few rappers to release 6 platinum solo albums in a row which puts him in select company. As stated on his track "These Are The Tales" off the "Chase The Cat" album: '6 platinums in a row Ice Cube and Cool J/ Who else did that shit, Short Dog from the Bay.'


For his next album, ''[[Blow the Whistle (album)|Blow the Whistle]]'' (2006), Too Short now took advantage of the new [[hyphy]] rap music that was emerging out of his original home base in Oakland. This saw somewhat of a resurgence for Too Short as it peaked at No. 14 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], much better than each of his previous three releases.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> However, his subsequent releases, such as 2007's ''[[Get Off the Stage]]'', have not been as successful. On October 7, 2008, Too Short was honored by VH1 at the fifth annual "Hip-Hop Honors" along with [[Cypress Hill]], [[De La Soul]], [[Slick Rick]] and [[Naughty By Nature]].<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/node/145 |title=Hip Hop Pioneers Honored |publisher=VH1 | work= Save The Music |date=August 12, 2008 |access-date= November 22, 2011}}</ref>
Too $hort performed at the 2006 [[Gathering of the Juggalos]]. He received the "[[Bubba Sparxxx]] award."


In 2009, Too Short recorded for [[Daz Dillinger]], [[Lil Jon]], [[Soopafly]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]] and [[B-Legit]].<ref name="mtv.com" /> In 2011, the rapper was featured on [[Wiz Khalifa]]'s song "[[On My Level]]". He also collaborated in [[Snoop Dogg]]'s 2011 album, ''[[Doggumentary]]'' in the song "Take U Home" and on the [[50 Cent]] song "[[First Date (50 Cent song)|First Date]]". In 2012 Too Short along with [[E-40]] released two collaboration albums on the same day titled ''[[History: Mob Music]]'' and ''[[History: Function Music]]''. Both charted in the top 100 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] albums chart. Too Short has said the best verse he has ever recorded is a verse for a song on [[Dr. Dre]]'s ''Detox'' called "Man's Best Friend (Pussy)".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22178/title.too-short-says-his-greatest-verse-is-the-dr-dre-detox-sessions-talks-vh1-couples-therapy|title=Too Short Says His Greatest Verse Is The Dr. Dre "Detox" Sessions, Talks Vh1 "Couples Therapy" |date=December 11, 2012|work=HipHopDX|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref>
Too $hort popularized (and possibly invented) the slang term 'biotch' on albums he released in the late 80's and early 90's.


In 2013, it was announced he would collaborate with [[Lady Gaga]] on a song "Jewels n' Drugs" for her upcoming album ''[[Artpop]]''. Also featured on the song are [[T.I.]] and [[Twista]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1713411/lady-gaga-itunes-festival-performance.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130905084720/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1713411/lady-gaga-itunes-festival-performance.jhtml |url-status= dead |archive-date= September 5, 2013 |title= Lady Gaga Raps, Rages And Shares Sex Dreams At iTunes Festival|website=Mtv.com|access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref>
===Up All Nite Records===
Too $hort runs his own record label, '''Up All Nite Records'''. Artists on the label include [[The WolfPack (band)|The Pack]], best known for their single, "[[Vans (song|Vans]]".


In 2015, Too Short was featured on actor Tavion Tate Guice's song "Oakland Brookfield Dance".
==Adult films==

Too $hort has also moonlighted in the adult film industry, with the 2003 film ''Get In Where You Fit In'', [http://www.iafd.com/title.rme/title=Get+In+Where+You+Fit+In+1/year=2003/Get_In_Where_You_Fit_In_1.htm] starring actresses such as [[Mika Tan]], Envy Mi, and [[Cherie (actress)|Cherie]], distributed by Adam & Eve.
In 2016, Too Short was featured on the song "Cochino" by Argentine-American rapper [[Dumbfoundead]]. The song is the seventh track off of Dumbfoundead's fifth studio album ''We Might Die''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/dumbfoundead/sets/wemightdie|title=Dumbfoundead – We Might Die|website=SoundCloud.com|language=en|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>

Six years after his last release, Too Short released his 20th album ''[[The Pimp Tape]]'' on November 9, 2018. On December 20, 2019, he released his 21st album ''The Vault''. On December 18, 2020, Too Short and [[E-40]] released their collaboration album ''Ain't Gone Do It and Terms & Conditions''.
[[File:Tooshort (300dpi).jpg|thumb| right |alt=Too Short performing in 2008|Too Short in 2008]]In 2022, the City of Oakland honored Too Short with a commemorative street sign declaring a section of Foothill Boulevard "Too $hort Way" and proclaiming December 10, 2022 to be "Too $hort Day."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meza |first=David |date=2022-12-12 |title=Photos: City honors Oakland rapper Too $hort with his own day and street sign |url=https://oaklandside.org/2022/12/12/too-short-way-street-renaming-oakland-libby-schaaf/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=The Oaklandside |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Up All Nite Records==
In the mid-2000s, Shaw re-launched his Dangerous Music label into Up All Nite Records, a subsidiary imprint of [[Jive Records]]. He signed fellow California acts including the hip hop group [[The Pack (group)|the Pack]].<ref>Montgomery, James; Richards, Yasmine. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061014142742/http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/the_pack/ You Hear It First: The Pack]. [[MTV]]: October 10, 2006.</ref> In 2017, he co-founded the "digital" record label OG Records with Vinny Az, which also aims as a platform for regional artists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tooshortstore.com/pages/about|title=About|website=Tooshortstore.com}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In September 2019, Shaw and his partner Sue Ivy announced the birth of their first child, a daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bckonline.com/2019/09/30/rapper-too-short-welcomes-first-child-with-girlfriend-sue-ivey/|title=RAPPER TOO SHORT WELCOMES FIRST CHILD WITH GIRLFRIEND SUE IVEY|website=Bckonline.com|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2021}}</ref>

Since 2006, Shaw has been a mentor at Youth UpRising, an Oakland-based non-profit which supports at-risk youths.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/johnson/article/Too-hort-singing-a-new-tune-2464821.php|title=Too $hort singing a new tune|newspaper=Sfgate|access-date=April 28, 2024 |last1=Johnson |first1=Chip }}</ref>

==Filmography==
Too Short played the role of Lew-Loc in the film ''[[Menace II Society]]''. Too Short has also worked in the [[adult film industry]], with the 2003 film ''Get In Where You Fit In''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafd.com/title.rme/title=Get+In+Where+You+Fit+In+1/year=2003/Get_In_Where_You_Fit_In_1.htm |title=Get In Where You Fit In 1 (2003)|publisher=Internet Adult Film Database|access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref> Too Short was an interviewee in ''[[American Pimp]].'' Too Short starred in and performed the music for ''America's Sexiest Girls'' 2003. Too Short has also appeared in an episode of ''[[The Game (U.S. TV series)|The Game]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Too $hort|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0790001/|publisher=IMDb|access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref> Too Short made a cameo appearance in Jay-Z's video for the hit single, "Big Pimpin'". Too Short was in VH1's Rock Doc, "Planet Rock". Too Short made a cameo in the feature film ''Stop Pepper Palmer'' with [[Scott Schwartz]].

Too Short released two straight-to-DVD films as well, 2001's ''Too Short Uncensored'', produced by Jarrod Donoman and Terrell Taylor, the DVD Live Nationwide, and 2003's ''Too Short: Titty City'', again produced by Taylor and partner Co Garrett.

Too Short was also featured in a 2009 episode of the E! show [[Kendra (TV series)|''Kendra'']] starring Kendra Wilkinson.


==Discography==
==Discography==
{{Main|Too Short discography}}
*1985: ''[[Don't Stop Rappin']]''
'''Studio albums'''
*1987: ''[[Players]]''
{{div col}}
*1987: ''[[Raw, Uncut, and X-Rated]]''
*1987: ''[[Born to Mack]]'' (Gold)
* ''Don't Stop Rappin''' (1983)
*1989: ''[[Life Is...Too $hort]]'' (2x Platinum)
* ''[[Players (album)|Players]]'' (1985)
*1990: ''[[Short Dog's In The House]]'' (Platinum)
* ''[[Raw, Uncut and X-Rated|Raw, Uncut & X-Rated]]'' (1986)
*1992: ''[[Shorty The Pimp]]'' (Platinum)
* ''[[Born to Mack]]'' (1987)
*1993: ''[[Get In Where You Fit In]]'' (Platinum)
* ''[[Life Is... Too Short]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Short Dog's in the House]]'' (1990)
*1993: ''[[Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: The Player Years, 1983-1988]]''
*1995: ''[[Cocktails (album)|Cocktails]]'' (Platinum)
* ''[[Shorty the Pimp]]'' (1992)
*1996: ''[[Gettin' It (Album Number Ten)]]'' (4x Platinum)
* ''[[Get in Where You Fit In]]'' (1993)
*1997: ''[[Greatest Hits (Too $hort album)|Greatest Hits]]''
* ''[[Cocktails (album)|Cocktails]]'' (1995)
*1999: ''[[Can't Stay Away]]'' (Platinum)
* ''[[Gettin' It (Album Number Ten)]]'' (1996)
*2000: ''[[You Nasty]]'' (Gold)
* ''[[Can't Stay Away]]'' (1999)
*2001: ''[[Chase the Cat]]''
* ''[[You Nasty]]'' (2000)
*2002: ''[[What's My Favorite Word?]]''
* ''[[Chase the Cat]]'' (2001)
*2003: ''[[It's About Time (Too $hort album)|It's About Time]]''
* ''[[What's My Favorite Word?]]'' (2002)
*2003: ''[[Married to the Game]]''
* ''[[Married to the Game]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Blow the Whistle (album)|Blow the Whistle]]'' (2006)
*2006: ''[[Pimpin' Incorparated]]'' CD/DVD
* ''[[Get off the Stage]]'' (2007)
*2006: ''[[Pimpin Incorporated (Screwed & Chopped)]]
*2006: ''[[Gangsters and Strippers]]'' CD/DVD
* ''[[Still Blowin']]'' (2010)
* ''[[No Trespassing (album)|No Trespassing]]'' (2012)
*2006: ''[[Blow the Whistle]]''
* ''[[The Pimp Tape]]'' (2018)
* ''The Vault'' (2019)
{{div col end}}


'''Collaborative albums'''
==Guest appearances==
* ''Dangerous Crew'' (with [[The Dangerous Crew]]) (1988)
Too $hort has appeared on over 100 albums and growing, here are some of the artist's tracks in which he had a guest spot:
* ''[[Don't Try This at Home (The Dangerous Crew album)|Don't Try This at Home]]'' (with The Dangerous Crew) (1995)
*[[Ant Banks]] - "2 Kill a G" (feat. Too $hort, [[Spice 1]])
* ''[[History: Mob Music]]'' (with [[E-40]]) (2012)
*[[Ant Banks]] - "4 Tha Hustlas" (feat. Too $hort, [[2Pac]], [[MC Breed]])
* ''[[History: Function Music]]'' (with E-40) (2012)
*[[Ant Banks]] - "Big Thangs" (feat. Too $hort, [[Ice Cube]])
* ''Ain't Gonna Do It/Terms and Conditions'' (with E-40) (2020)
*[[Ant Banks]] - "Clownin' With The Crew" (feat. Too $hort, [[The Dangerous Crew]])
* ''[[Snoop Cube 40 $hort]]'' (with [[Mount Westmore]]) (2022)
*[[Ant Banks]] - "Fuckin' Wit Banks" (feat. Too $hort, [[Goldy]])

*[[Ant Banks]] - "The Loot" (feat. Too $hort)
==References==
*[[Ant Banks]] - "Only Out to Fuck" (feat. Too $hort, [[Goldy]], [[Pooh-Man]])
{{Reflist}}
*[[Ant Banks]] - "Pervin'" (feat. Too $hort, [[E-40]])
*[[Ant Banks]] - "Players Holiday" (feat. Too $hort, [[Mac Mall]], [[Rappin' 4-Tay]])
*[[Al Gator]] - "Get Wit It (Hustle Hard)" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Avant]] - "Making Good Love" Remix (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Badwayz]] - "Make Money Money" (feat. Too $hort, [[Young Bleed]])
*[[B-Legit]] - "So International" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Bun B]] - "Who need a bitch" (feat. Too $hort and [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]])
*[[C-Bo]] - "Pimpin and Jackin" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[D4L]] - "Make It Rain" (feat. Too $hort, [[Kool Ace]], [[Sweetz]])
*[[Dave Hollister]] - "Came in the Door Pimpin" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[David Banner]] - "Take Your Bitch" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Daz Dillinger]] - "Bitch Bitch Bitch Make Me Rich" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Daz Dillinger]] - "It Might Sound Crazy" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Daz Dillinger]] - "It Might Sound Crazy (remix)" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[D-Nice]] - "Check Yourself" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[D-Shot]] - "True Worldwide Playaz" (feat. Too $hort, [[Spice 1]])
*[[E-40]] - "Doin' The Fool" (feat. Too $hort, [[Pimp C]], [[Pastor Troy]])
*[[E-40]] - "Earl That's Yo Life" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[E-40]] - "From The Ground Up" (feat. Too $hort, [[Jodeci]])
*[[E-40]] - "Rappers' Ball" (feat. Too $hort, [[K-Ci]])
*[[E-40]] - "Yee" (feat. Too $hort, [[Budda]])
*[[E-A-Ski]] - "Check the Resume" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Eightball]] - "Can't Stop" (feat. Too $hort, [[MJG]])
*[[Erick Sermon]] - "Fat Gold Chain" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Foxy Brown]] - "Baller Bitch" (feat. Too $hort, [[Pretty Boy]])
*[[Goldy]] - "The Game Is Sold, Not Told" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Ice T]] - "Don't Hate The Playa" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Jahari]] - "A Playa Know" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Jay-Z]] - "A Week Ago" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Jay-Z]] - "Real Niggaz" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[J-Dubb]] - "Life" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Jermaine Dupri]] - "Jazzy Hoes" (feat. Too $hort, [[Eightball]], [[Youngbloodz]], [[Mr. Black]])
*[[Jim Crow (hip hop group)|Jim Crow]] - "Holla at a Playa (remix)" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Jim Crow (hip hop group)|Jim Crow]] - "That Drama (Baby's Momma)" (feat. Too $hort, [[Jazze Pha]])
*[[JT Money]] - "Somethin' Bout Pimpin" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Keith Murray]] - "Ride Wit Us" (feat. Too $hort, [[Redman]], [[Erick Sermon]])
*[[Keith Sweat]] - "Love Jones" (feat. Too $hort, [[Erick Sermon]], [[Playa]])
*[[Kelis]] - "Bossy" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Kock D Zel]] - "Pimp Bones" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Lil Jon]] - Bia Bia
*[[Lil Jon]] - Bia Bia (Remix)
*[[Lil Jon]] - Let My Nutts Go
*[[Lil Jon]] - Bitch
*[[The Notorious B.I.G.]] - "Big Booty Hoes" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[The Notorious B.I.G.]] - "The World is Filled (feat. Too $hort, [[Puff Daddy]], & [[Carl Thomas]].
*[[Scarface]] - "Game Over" (feat. Too $hort, Ice Cube, & Dr. Dre)
*[[Scarface]] - "Fuck Faces" (feat. Too $hort, [[Devin The Dude]], & Tela)
*[[Snoop Dogg]] - "You Thought"
*[[Sublime]] - "Free Loop Dub/Q-Ball" (He's the second rapper on Q-Ball)
*[[Shawnna]] - Gettin' Some (Remix) (feat. Too $hort, [[Lil Wayne]], [[Pharrell]] & [[Ludacris]])
*[[Traxmillion]] - "SideShow" (feat. Too Short and Mistah FAB)
*[[The Jacka]] - "Die Young" (feat. Husalah and Too $hort)
*[[The Pack]] - "Vans Remix" (feat. Mistah FAB and Too $hort)
*[[Tupac]] - Thug Passion Part 2 - Unreleased - (feat. Too $hort)
*[[T-Pain]] - "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper)" (Remix) (feat. Too $hort, [[Twista]], [[Pimp C]], [[Paul Wall]], & [[MJG]])
*[[Twista]] - "Pimp On" (feat. Too $hort and Eightball)
*[[UGK]] - "Pimpin Ain't No Illusion" (feat. Too $hort)
*[[Three 6 Mafia]] - "Undercover Freaks" (feat. Too $hort)


==External links==
==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*[http://www.tooshortworld.com/ Too $hort] site by record label [[Jive Records]] (requires [[Macromedia Flash|Flash]])
*{{allMusic}}
*[http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61541118 Too $hort offical Myspace page]

*[http://www.lyricsdir.com/too-short-lyrics.html Too $hort Lyrics]
{{Too Short (rapper)}}
*[http://www.sixshot.com/articles/6190/ Exclusive interview on 2006 album ''Blow the Whistle'']
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|California|biography|United States}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Short, Too}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:African American musicians]]
[[Category:San Francisco Bay Area rappers]]
[[Category:California musicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Oakland, California]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:Rappers known by pseudonyms]]
[[Category:American male rappers]]
[[Category:Dirty rap musicians]]

[[Category:Jive Records artists]]
[[de:Too $hort]]
[[Category:Rappers from Oakland, California]]
[[fr:Too $hort]]
[[Category:West Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[pl:Too $hort]]
[[Category:Gangsta rappers]]
[[Category:G-funk artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:Mount Westmore members]]
[[Category:Fremont High School (Oakland, California) alumni]]

Latest revision as of 00:17, 14 December 2024

Too Short
Too Short performing in August 2023
Too Short performing in August 2023
Background information
Birth nameTodd Anthony Shaw
Also known asShort Dogg
Born (1966-04-28) April 28, 1966 (age 58)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OriginOakland, California, U.S.[1][2]
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • record executive
DiscographyToo Short discography
Years active1983–present[3]
Labels
Member ofMt. Westmore
Formerly ofThe Dangerous Crew
Children1
Websitetooshortstore.com

Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28, 1966),[4][1][2] better known by his stage name Too Short (stylized as Too $hort), is an American rapper. A pioneer of West Coast hip hop, Shaw was among the first acts to receive recognition in the genre during the late 1980s. His lyrics were often based on pimping and promiscuity, but also drug culture and street survival;[5] exemplified respectively in his most popular singles "Blow the Whistle" and "The Ghetto." He is one of few acts to have worked with both Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. during the height of their respective careers.[1][2][6]

Shaw began recording in 1983, and cultivated a regional following with three independent projects tailored for his native Oakland. His fourth album, Born to Mack (1987) sold an estimated 50,000 units from Shaw's car trunk,[7] leading to a commercial re-issue by Jive Records the following year. His fifth album, Life Is... Too Short (1988) received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and became his first entry on the Billboard 200. His sixth album, Short Dog's In The House (1990) peaked at number 20 on the chart while marking his first and highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist with its single, "The Ghetto." His following four albums—Shorty the Pimp (1992), Get in Where You Fit In (1993), Cocktails (1995), and Gettin' It (Album Number Ten) (1996)—each peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 and received platinum certifications by the RIAA.

In 1988, he formed the group The Dangerous Crew with Oakland-based rappers and producers, and in 2020, he formed the West Coast hip hop group Mount Westmore with frequent collaborators Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and E-40. In 2006, he formed the record label Up All Nite Records, through which he signed hyphy group the Pack (which included then-unknown rapper Lil B).

Early life

[edit]

Shaw was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.[8][9] In 1980, he and his family moved to Oakland. He was a drummer in the band at Fremont High School in Oakland.[10]

Career

[edit]

In the mid-1980s, Shaw, along with high school friend Freddy B, produced custom songs (called "special requests") locally on cassette for people in Oakland and the Bay Area. In 1985, Too Short started his solo career and released his debut album, Don't Stop Rappin' on Oakland record label 75 Girls Records And Tapes which, along with four 12" releases, featured raw, simple drum beats from a LinnDrum drum machine.[11] This was also one of the first hip hop recordings to use the word "bitch" – a word which became one of the rapper's trademarks and was the focus of subsequent songs such as "Ain't Nothin' but a Word to Me".

In the early 1990s, his self-produced beats came from mostly a TR-808 and from mid-to-late 2000s, a TR-909 was used. In 1985, Too Short and Freddie B. formed the label Dangerous Music to regionally distribute his music, and with others formed rap group the Dangerous Crew.[12] Dangerous Music became Short Records, and then Up All Nite Records. With his 1988 release, Life Is... Too Short, he began using replayed established funk riffs (rather than samples) with his beats.

Subsequent work was primarily collaborative, including work with Tupac Shakur, the Notorious B.I.G., Scarface, and Pimp C. One of his notable collaborations during this period was on the track "The World Is Filled..." on the Notorious B.I.G. album Life After Death; he comes in on the third verse after Diddy and Biggie. Being featured on the album introduced him to a wider audience as well, due to his typical style contrasting greatly with the Mafioso theme of the album. He also appeared on TWDY's hit single "Player's Holiday" from their 1999 debut album Derty Werk[13] as well as the Priority Records compilation Nuthin but a Gangsta Party.[14] After these appearances, he began working on his eleventh album, Can't Stay Away. The album included guest appearances by 8Ball & MJG, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri, Sean Combs, E-40, Daz Dillinger, Lil Jon, Soopafly, Scarface and B-Legit.[15]

Too Short relocated to Atlanta in 1994, but he did not begin working with a more diverse variety of Southern artists until 2000, when he collaborated with Lil Jon. With the 1999 release of Can't Stay Away, Too Short came out of retirement, continuing his sexually explicit, relaxed style of rap.[16] New albums released 2000–2003 were You Nasty (2000), Chase the Cat (2001), What's My Favorite Word? (2002), and Married to the Game (2003). These albums all charted fairly well, as they all were in the top 71 of the Billboard 200, but they did not do as well as Too Short's earlier 1990s releases, as none of them reached the top 10.[17]

For his next album, Blow the Whistle (2006), Too Short now took advantage of the new hyphy rap music that was emerging out of his original home base in Oakland. This saw somewhat of a resurgence for Too Short as it peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200, much better than each of his previous three releases.[17] However, his subsequent releases, such as 2007's Get Off the Stage, have not been as successful. On October 7, 2008, Too Short was honored by VH1 at the fifth annual "Hip-Hop Honors" along with Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick and Naughty By Nature.[17][18]

In 2009, Too Short recorded for Daz Dillinger, Lil Jon, Soopafly, Scarface and B-Legit.[15] In 2011, the rapper was featured on Wiz Khalifa's song "On My Level". He also collaborated in Snoop Dogg's 2011 album, Doggumentary in the song "Take U Home" and on the 50 Cent song "First Date". In 2012 Too Short along with E-40 released two collaboration albums on the same day titled History: Mob Music and History: Function Music. Both charted in the top 100 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Too Short has said the best verse he has ever recorded is a verse for a song on Dr. Dre's Detox called "Man's Best Friend (Pussy)".[19]

In 2013, it was announced he would collaborate with Lady Gaga on a song "Jewels n' Drugs" for her upcoming album Artpop. Also featured on the song are T.I. and Twista.[20]

In 2015, Too Short was featured on actor Tavion Tate Guice's song "Oakland Brookfield Dance".

In 2016, Too Short was featured on the song "Cochino" by Argentine-American rapper Dumbfoundead. The song is the seventh track off of Dumbfoundead's fifth studio album We Might Die.[21]

Six years after his last release, Too Short released his 20th album The Pimp Tape on November 9, 2018. On December 20, 2019, he released his 21st album The Vault. On December 18, 2020, Too Short and E-40 released their collaboration album Ain't Gone Do It and Terms & Conditions.

Too Short performing in 2008
Too Short in 2008

In 2022, the City of Oakland honored Too Short with a commemorative street sign declaring a section of Foothill Boulevard "Too $hort Way" and proclaiming December 10, 2022 to be "Too $hort Day."[22]

Up All Nite Records

[edit]

In the mid-2000s, Shaw re-launched his Dangerous Music label into Up All Nite Records, a subsidiary imprint of Jive Records. He signed fellow California acts including the hip hop group the Pack.[23] In 2017, he co-founded the "digital" record label OG Records with Vinny Az, which also aims as a platform for regional artists.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

In September 2019, Shaw and his partner Sue Ivy announced the birth of their first child, a daughter.[25]

Since 2006, Shaw has been a mentor at Youth UpRising, an Oakland-based non-profit which supports at-risk youths.[26]

Filmography

[edit]

Too Short played the role of Lew-Loc in the film Menace II Society. Too Short has also worked in the adult film industry, with the 2003 film Get In Where You Fit In.[27] Too Short was an interviewee in American Pimp. Too Short starred in and performed the music for America's Sexiest Girls 2003. Too Short has also appeared in an episode of The Game.[28] Too Short made a cameo appearance in Jay-Z's video for the hit single, "Big Pimpin'". Too Short was in VH1's Rock Doc, "Planet Rock". Too Short made a cameo in the feature film Stop Pepper Palmer with Scott Schwartz.

Too Short released two straight-to-DVD films as well, 2001's Too Short Uncensored, produced by Jarrod Donoman and Terrell Taylor, the DVD Live Nationwide, and 2003's Too Short: Titty City, again produced by Taylor and partner Co Garrett.

Too Short was also featured in a 2009 episode of the E! show Kendra starring Kendra Wilkinson.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Too Short discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Too Short Biography". Starpulse.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Bush, John. "Too $hort: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  3. ^ John Bush. "Too Short". AllMusic. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  4. ^ "Too $hort". IMDb.com.
  5. ^ "Too Short On Mother Finding His Dirty Rap Book And "The Hip Hop Dance Experience" Video Game". November 8, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  6. ^ "Couples Therapy: Cast: Todd "Too Short" Shaw And Monica Payne". VH1. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 212.
  8. ^ "Too Short Biography". Starpulse.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  9. ^ Bush, John. "Too $hort: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  10. ^ Johnson, Chip (December 26, 2006). "Too $hort singing a new tune". San Francisco Chronicle.
  11. ^ "Too Short". Discogs.com.
  12. ^ Bush, John. Too Short – Biography. AllMusic. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
  13. ^ TWDY – "Player's Holiday", AllMusic.
  14. ^ Wilson, MacKenzie. "Nuthin' but a Gangsta Party" – Overview, AllMusic.
  15. ^ a b Too $hort Adds Puffy Track To Upcoming LP. MTV: June 29, 1999.
  16. ^ "Can't Stay Away – Too $hort | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  17. ^ a b c Too Short > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums
  18. ^ "Hip Hop Pioneers Honored". Save The Music. VH1. August 12, 2008. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  19. ^ "Too Short Says His Greatest Verse Is The Dr. Dre "Detox" Sessions, Talks Vh1 "Couples Therapy"". HipHopDX. December 11, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  20. ^ "Lady Gaga Raps, Rages And Shares Sex Dreams At iTunes Festival". Mtv.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  21. ^ "Dumbfoundead – We Might Die". SoundCloud.com. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  22. ^ Meza, David (December 12, 2022). "Photos: City honors Oakland rapper Too $hort with his own day and street sign". The Oaklandside. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  23. ^ Montgomery, James; Richards, Yasmine. You Hear It First: The Pack. MTV: October 10, 2006.
  24. ^ "About". Tooshortstore.com.
  25. ^ "RAPPER TOO SHORT WELCOMES FIRST CHILD WITH GIRLFRIEND SUE IVEY". Bckonline.com. September 30, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Johnson, Chip. "Too $hort singing a new tune". Sfgate. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  27. ^ "Get In Where You Fit In 1 (2003)". Internet Adult Film Database. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  28. ^ "Too $hort". IMDb. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
[edit]
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