Today, we celebrate the 60th birthday of one of Hip Hop’s true pioneers and West Coast legends; Too $hort, born Todd Anthony Shaw on this date in 1966.
Too $hort’s influence on the culture is undeniable. One of the first self-made entrepreneurs in rap, he built his career from the ground up, selling his now-iconic X-rated mixtapes straight out of the trunk of his car in Oakland. Long before independent hustling became a blueprint for success in Hip Hop, $hort laid the foundation with his gritty, streetwise storytelling and unmistakable drawl.
Between 1987 and 2012, Too $hort dropped an impressive fifteen studio albums, helping define the sound of West Coast rap while also evolving with the times. His catalog includes collaborations with a who’s who of Hip Hop royalty — from The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac to Lil Jon, Pimp C, and E-40. $hort’s versatility and staying power have made him a sought-after voice across multiple eras and coasts, bridging gaps between old school legends and new school stars…