Too $hort

Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28, 1966), better known by his stage name Too Short (stylized as Too $hort), is an American rapper and record producer. 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; 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.Shaw began recording in 1983, cultivating 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, leading to a commercial re-issue by Jive Records the following year. His fifth album, Life Is…Too Short (1988) became his first entry on the Billboard 200 and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). 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 certification 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 the hyphy group the Pack and its leading member, Lil B.

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