Too Short
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]
Too Short
Todd Anthony Shaw
Short Dogg
April 28, 1966
Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1][2]
- Rapper
- songwriter
- record producer
- record executive
1983–present[3]
1
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,[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 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 ther hyphy group the Pack (including then-unknown rapper Lil B).
Early life[edit]
Shaw was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. In 1980, he and his family moved to Oakland. He was a drummer in the band at Fremont High School in Oakland.[8]
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.[21] In 2017, he co-founded the "digital" record label OG Records with Vinny Az, which also aims as a platform for regional artists.[22]
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.[25] 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.[26] 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.
