Too $hort is a legendary pioneer of West Coast hip hop, having made great strides both in pioneering dirty rap with innovative flows and beats, as well as crossing cultural boundaries. His impact on music has been immense, changing the face of popular music over multiple decades through influence, soundtrack work and legacy upon which he carries strong criticism while also inspiring legions of fans. In this blogpost we’ll take an objective look at Too $hort from both the critical point-of-view and the appreciative side to understand better why too short is one of raps greatest contributors.
When we think of the pioneers of West Coast hip hop, artists like Snoop Dogg, Tupac, and Ice Cube may come to mind. However, there is one rapper who often gets overlooked, despite his immense impact on the genre. Too $hort, the Oakland-raised rapper, is a true legend of West Coast hip hop. He blazed trails in the world of dirty rap, crafting unique flows and beats that would become signatures of the genre. Moreover, he crossed cultural boundaries, creating a style that resonated with audiences outside of his home base of the Bay Area. In this blog post, we will explore the contribution of Too $hort to the world of music.
Let’s start by diving into the history of Too $hort and his music. Born Todd Anthony Shaw, he grew up in East Oakland and first began rapping at the age of fourteen. He began making music towards the end of the 80s, with his debut album, Don’t Stop Rappin’. In his early years, Too $hort had a unique style, utilizing humor and explicit lyrics in his songs. He quickly gained a large following with his gritty, raw sound that was a departure from the more polished hip hop of the time. His sound was the epitome of what would come to be known as “dirty rap.
As Too $hort’s career progressed, he began to evolve as an artist. He continued to release albums in his signature style. Still, he experimented, incorporating more live instrumentation and expanding his sound. This experimentation has led to his sound being likened to that of Parliament Funkadelic's monster funk. In the early 2000s, Too $hort released a string of commercially successful albums. He also went on to provide guest features to a variety of artists, proving his versatility and ability to adapt to different styles. In recent years, Too $hort's music has become more reflective, addressing social issues and the more gritty aspects of life in the Bay Area.
The impact of Too $hort goes beyond just his music. He is seen as one of the pioneers of the Bay Area rap sound and has heavily influenced subsequent generations of West Coast artists. Several artists credit Too $hort as an inspiration, including E-40, Warren G, and Game. He’s also been known to be a mentor to many young Bay Area emcees, such as G-Eazy, who has spoken openly about how Too $hort taught him about the game of music and the importance of having a unique style.
However, with too short legacy comes criticism. In the late '90s, some groups and individuals began to voice concerns regarding the problematic nature of his lyrics seeming to trivialize women. I Ain't Trippin', a song from Short Dog's in the House, would come to be a highly controversial track that brought the Too $hort brand to national attention. However, he has since shown himself to be open to constructive criticism and scrutiny, responding by attempting to clean up his lyrics and promote women's rights/movements in his future releases.
In summary, Too $hort is one of the most influential rappers from the West Coast. He pioneered dirty rap and brought a unique style that was a departure from the more polished hip hop of the time, becoming a household name with fans all over the globe. Beyond that, he inspired subsequent generations of artists and mentored countless young emcees. While some individuals criticize his lyrics and motifs, it’s difficult to deny the impact that to Too $hort has had on the genre and the countless fans who have been influenced by his work. Indeed, Too $hort has become one of the most legendary figures of West Coast hip hop.
