Too $hort

Too $hort is a pioneering West Coast hip-hop artist known for his consistent impact on the music industry and his community for over four decades. After co-founding the label Dangerous Music with Freddy B in 1983 to regionally distribute his music, which later evolved into Short Records and Up All Nite Records, Too $hort launched his solo career in 1985 with his debut album, ‘Don’t Stop Rappin”. Released on Oakland’s 75 Girls Records And Tapes, this early work utilized raw drum beats from a LinnDrum machine and established his distinctive lyrical style. His independent efforts quickly gained traction, culminating in his fourth album, ‘Born to Mack’ (1987), which initially sold approximately 50,000 units directly from his car trunk, leading to a commercial re-issue by Jive Records the following year.

His career was further recognized at the Hip-Hop Honors in 2008. The City of Oakland formally recognized Too $hort’s profound cultural contributions in 2022 by dedicating a section of Foothill Boulevard as ‘Too $hort Way.’ The city further honored his legacy by proclaiming December 10th as ‘Too $hort Day,’ cementing his enduring impact on both the music industry and his community.