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| Too Short | |
|---|---|
| Name | Todd Anthony Shaw |
| Caption | Shaw in 2019 |
| Birth name | Todd Anthony Shaw |
| Birth date | 28 April 1966 |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Origin | Oakland, California, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop, West Coast hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, record producer, songwriter, record executive |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Labels | Jive Records, MCA Records, Republic Records, Dangerous Music, Nastymix Records |
| Associated acts | E-40, Spice 1, MC Hammer, Ant Banks, The Dangerous Crew |
Too Short Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28, 1966) is an American rapper, record producer, and record executive known for pioneering explicit West Coast hip hop and Oakland rap. Over a multi-decade career he released numerous studio albums, collaborated with major figures in hip hop and R&B, and influenced regional scenes across California and the broader United States. He is notable for his longevity, distinctive lyrical persona, and role in bringing Bay Area styles into mainstream awareness.
Shaw was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Oakland, California, where he attended local schools and became involved in street culture and music scenes prevalent in Northern California. During adolescence he encountered influences from local radio stations like KMEL and clubs on Telegraph Avenue as well as nationwide artists from New York City and Los Angeles scenes. He began recording and distributing tapes in the early 1980s, connecting with local DJs, producers, and independent labels such as Nastymix Records that supported emerging Bay Area acts. His formative years overlapped with the rise of acts from Compton, San Francisco, and other California locales, shaping his approach to performance and entrepreneurship.
Shaw began releasing independent cassette albums in the mid-1980s, achieving regional success that led to deals with national labels including Jive Records and MCA Records. He collaborated extensively with producers like Ant Banks and ensembles such as The Dangerous Crew, while touring with contemporaries including MC Hammer, Spice 1, and E-40. His breakthrough came in the early 1990s when albums charted on the Billboard 200 and singles received airplay on stations like Power 106 and Hot 97. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s he adapted to industry shifts involving Cash Money Records-era distribution models and the rise of digital platforms pioneered by companies such as Apple Inc. and Spotify, maintaining relevance via collaborations with artists across generations including Kendrick Lamar, Killer Mike, and Snoop Dogg.
His musical style blends stripped-down, funk-influenced beats informed by Parliament-Funkadelic-era production, synthesized basslines akin to Dr. Dre’s early work, and explicit, conversational lyricism reminiscent of East Coast storytellers like LL Cool J while rooted in Bay Area slang and cadence. Influences cited in interviews include Prince, Ice-T, Rick James, and regional pioneers such as Too $hort's contemporaries in Oakland hip hop collectives. Production collaborations drew from west coast producers including DJ Quik and Battlecat, while later projects incorporated elements from trap music producers associated with Atlanta, Georgia scenes like T.I. and Young Jeezy.
Shaw has been active in community initiatives in Oakland, California and maintains ties to family and local institutions, periodically participating in benefit concerts alongside artists affiliated with Sons of the Pioneers-adjacent traditions and contemporary Bay Area philanthropists. He has been involved in business ventures related to music distribution and merchandising, cooperating with executives from Universal Music Group subsidiaries and independent distributors. Publicly, he has discussed health, longevity, and the challenges of sustaining a career in changing record industry landscapes, while mentoring younger performers from California and beyond.
- Born to Mack (1987) - Life Is...Too Short (1988) - Short Dog's in the House (1990) - Shorty the Pimp (1992) - Get in Where You Fit In (1993) - Cocktails (1995) - Can't Stay Away (1999) - You Nasty (2000) - Married to the Game (2003) - Blow the Whistle (2006) - Respect the Pimpin' (2010) - The Pimp Tape (2018) - Other releases include independent cassettes from the 1980s, collaborations with Ant Banks, compilation albums, and guest appearances on tracks by E-40, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Juvenile, and Too $hort-era associates.
He has received regional awards and nominations from institutions and media outlets such as the Oakland Music Awards, BET Awards-era coverage, and recognition in retrospective lists compiled by Rolling Stone, Complex, and The Source. His albums have achieved gold and platinum certification through the Recording Industry Association of America and charted on Billboard rankings, reflecting commercial success and industry acknowledgment.
Shaw is widely credited with shaping the lyrical frankness and street-level narratives of Bay Area hip hop, influencing artists across generations in California, Georgia, and Texas. His business model of independent tape distribution and later label partnerships informed practices adopted by artists such as E-40 and labels like Sick Wid It Records, while his stylistic emphasis on grooves and repetition influenced producers in G-funk and modern trap subgenres. Cultural commentators at outlets including Pitchfork, Vibe, and NPR have analyzed his role in normalizing explicit content and DIY distribution strategies that anticipated internet-era mixtape culture.
Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Rappers from California Category:People from Oakland, California