Too $hort

Todd Anthony Shaw, better known by his stage name Too Short (stylized as Too $hort), was born on April 28, 1966, in Los Angeles, California. He is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and record executive who rose to fame in the West Coast hip hop scene in the late 1980s. Known for his explicit lyrics and relaxed style, Too Short’s music often covers themes of pimping, promiscuity, drug culture, and street survival. He is a pioneer of West Coast rap and has been active in the music industry since 1983.

Too Short grew up in Los Angeles before moving to Oakland, California, in the early 1980s. He began his music career in the mid-1980s, working with a high school friend, Freddy B, to produce custom songs on cassette for people in the Bay Area. In 1985, Too Short released his debut album, “Don’t Stop Rappin’,” on Oakland record label 75 Girls Records And Tapes. His music evolved over the years, from raw, simple drum beats to replayed established funk riffs in his 1988 release, “Life Is…Too Short.”

Throughout his career, Too Short has worked with numerous prominent artists, including Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Scarface, and Pimp C. He has released over 20 albums, with his most recent, “The Pimp Tape,” dropping in 2018. In addition to his music career, Too Short has made appearances in films and television shows, and even started his own record label, Up All Nite Records.

In 2022, the City of Oakland honored Too Short with a commemorative street sign and proclaimed December 10th as “Too $hort Day.”