Support |
albums
See all-
-
- Blow the Whistle
- Released 2006
-
-
-
- Get In Where You Fit In (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1993
-
-
-
- Gettin' It (Album Number Ten) (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1996
-
-
-
- Get Off The Stage (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2007
-
biography
Born in Los Angeles, but an Oakland resident by the age of 14, Too Short was the first West Coast rap star, recording three albums on his own before he made his major-label debut with 1988's gold album Born to Mack; his next four all went platinum. Anticipating much of the later gangsta phenomenon, he restricted his lyrical themes to tales of sexual prowess and physical violence, with the occasional social message track to mix things up. After the release of Gettin' It (Album Number Ten) in 1996, Too Short decided to retire, his status assured as one of the most successful solo rappers of the 1980s and early '90s, although that decision would prove short-lived.
Born Todd Shaw on April 28, 1966, Too Short grew up in L.A.'s South Central; soon after his family moved to Oakland in the early '80s, he began selling tapes out of the back of his car. Signed to the local label 75 Girls, in 1983 he released his first proper album, Don't Stop Rappin'. Three albums followed in the next two years, after which Too Short formed his own Dangerous Music label with friend Freddy B. He recorded Born to Mack in 1986, and sold more than 50,000 copies just by riding around the region. New York's Jive Records picked up on the buzz from across the country, and provided a national deal for the album one year later. With virtually no radio airplay, Born to Mack went gold and its follow-up, Life Is...Too Short, achieved platinum sales by 1989.
The immense success of Too Short during 1988-1989 made him much more viable for radio airplay, and "The Ghetto" -- from 1990's Short Dog's in the House -- made number 12 on the R&B charts, even enjoying a brief stay just outside the pop Top 40. He continued his hit track record with 1992's Shorty the Pimp and 1993's Get in Where You Fit In, both of which went platinum. By the time of 1995's Cocktails, however, Too Short began to be drowned out by a glut of similar-sounding West Coasters, and though Gettin' It (Album Number Ten) became his fifth platinum album, by late 1996 he decided to retire. Just three years later, however, he returned with the aptly titled Can't Stay Away, which debuted in the Top Ten and went gold. A series of follow-ups surfaced subsequently. In 2006 his high-profile album Blow the Whistle arrived with producers Jazze Pha and Lil Jon contributing. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Born Todd Shaw on April 28, 1966, Too Short grew up in L.A.'s South Central; soon after his family moved to Oakland in the early '80s, he began selling tapes out of the back of his car. Signed to the local label 75 Girls, in 1983 he released his first proper album, Don't Stop Rappin'. Three albums followed in the next two years, after which Too Short formed his own Dangerous Music label with friend Freddy B. He recorded Born to Mack in 1986, and sold more than 50,000 copies just by riding around the region. New York's Jive Records picked up on the buzz from across the country, and provided a national deal for the album one year later. With virtually no radio airplay, Born to Mack went gold and its follow-up, Life Is...Too Short, achieved platinum sales by 1989.
The immense success of Too Short during 1988-1989 made him much more viable for radio airplay, and "The Ghetto" -- from 1990's Short Dog's in the House -- made number 12 on the R&B charts, even enjoying a brief stay just outside the pop Top 40. He continued his hit track record with 1992's Shorty the Pimp and 1993's Get in Where You Fit In, both of which went platinum. By the time of 1995's Cocktails, however, Too Short began to be drowned out by a glut of similar-sounding West Coasters, and though Gettin' It (Album Number Ten) became his fifth platinum album, by late 1996 he decided to retire. Just three years later, however, he returned with the aptly titled Can't Stay Away, which debuted in the Top Ten and went gold. A series of follow-ups surfaced subsequently. In 2006 his high-profile album Blow the Whistle arrived with producers Jazze Pha and Lil Jon contributing. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
news
No news for this artist.
comments
-
-
-
-
MiSs TenNeKeyy
-
- By MizzyT
- 11/17/2008 21:21:17
- Too short what up witcha??? yea i know you keep it going down 24 7 where ever you b @ cuzz when you came to knoxville you was going ham on dem niggs in da club. LOL keep it hood and get back at ya chick...
- Be the first person to rate this comment!
-
-
-
-
-
-
Legend
-
- By INFAMOUSHAVOC24
- 9/6/2008 06:15:28
- <br/>Too Short been there from the very start reppin Oakland California he been bring us freaky tales for two decades now
- 0 out of 1 people
- think this is useful
-
-
most played
-
-
- 1,279 plays
-
-
-
- 1,132 plays
-
-
-
- 1,034 plays
-
-
-
- 967 plays
-
|
top listeners
-
-
- 133 plays
-
-
- 230 plays
-
-
- 259 plays
-
-
- 217 plays
