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| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
| music_genre = [[West Coast hip hop]]
| music_genre = [[West Coast hip hop]]
| record_label = [[Jive Records]] (1989-2005)<br>Sho'Nuff Recording (2005-present)
| record_label = Up All Night Records (formerly known as Short Records, and Dangerous Music) (1985-Present)<br>[[Jive Records]] (1989-2005)<br>Sho'Nuff Recording (2005-present)
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members =
| past_members =
| website =
| website = [http://www.tooshortworld.com]
}}
}}
==Biography==
==Biography==
'''Too Short''', or '''Too $hort''', (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]] and [[Slick Rick]].
'''Too Short''', or '''Too $hort''', (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]].


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.
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.
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In the early [[1980s]] $hort produced custom raps for people with his high school friend, [[Freddie B]][http://www.sixshot.com/articles/6190/]. They would glamorize a person on a 30-minute "special request" tape, and the transaction would usually cost $10 {{citation-needed}}. He played percussion in his high school marching band{{citation-needed}}. 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'', and now ''Up All Night Music''.
In the early [[1980s]] $hort produced custom raps for people with his high school friend, [[Freddie B]][http://www.sixshot.com/articles/6190/]. They would glamorize a person on a 30-minute "special request" tape, and the transaction would usually cost $10 {{citation-needed}}. He played percussion in his high school marching band{{citation-needed}}. 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'', and now ''Up All Night Music''.


Too Short has released 16 albums to date, with his latest being ''Blow The Whistle'' which contains a newly released single, the title track "[[Blow Da' 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''. Too $hort recently signed on to [[Jazze Pha]]'s Record Label Sho'Nuff Recordings. Every album has included a picture of Too Short on the cover, except the compilation albums.
Too Short has released 16 albums to date, with his latest being ''Blow The Whistle'' which contains a newly released single, the title track "[[Blow Da' 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 Short on the cover, except the compilation albums.


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]].
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]].

Revision as of 17:41, 12 July 2006

Too Short
File:Too$hort.jpg
Background information
OriginOakland, California
Years active1983-present
Website[1]

Biography

Too Short, or Too $hort, (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, along with Ice T.

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.

In the early 1980s $hort produced custom raps for people with his high school friend, Freddie B[2]. They would glamorize a person on a 30-minute "special request" tape, and the transaction would usually cost $10 [citation needed]. He played percussion in his high school marching band[citation needed]. 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, and now Up All Night Music.

Too Short has released 16 albums to date, with his latest being Blow The Whistle which contains a newly released single, the title track "Blow Da' 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 Short on the cover, except the compilation albums.

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, 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.

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 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.

Over the years, Too $hort has released many albums hailed as classics, along with appearing on more top selling albums than any other artist in the game through his collaborations, which include over 60 guest appearances to date[citation needed].


Too $hort will also be performing at the 2006 Gathering of the Juggalos.

Adult films

Too $hort has also moonlighted in the adult film industry, with the 2003 film Get In Where You Fit In, [3] starring actresses such as Mika Tan, Envy Mi, and Cherie, distributed by Adam & Eve.

Discography

  • 1983: Don't Stop Rappin'
  • 1984: Raw, Uncut, and X-Rated
  • 1985: Players
  • 1987: Born To Mack (Gold)
  • 1988: Life Is...Too $hort (2x Platinum)
  • 1990: Short Dog's In The House (Platinum)
  • 1992: Short The Pimp (Platinum)
  • 1993: Get In Where You Fit In (Platinum)
  • 1993: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: The Player Years, 1983-1988
  • 1995: Cocktails (Platinum)
  • 1996: Gettin It (Album Number Ten)(Gold)
  • 1997: Greatest Hits
  • 1999: Can't Stay Away
  • 2000: You Nasty (Gold)
  • 2001: Chase The Cat
  • 2002: What's My Favorite Word?
  • 2003: It's About Time
  • 2003: Married To The Game
  • 2006: Pimpin Incorparated CD/DVD
  • 2006: Gangsters and Strippers CD/DVD
  • 2006: Blow The Whistle [4]

Guest appearances

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