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April 28th – Too $hort was born Todd Anthony Shaw in Los Angeles, California, on this day in 1966.

Although born in L.A., Too $hort would relocate to the California Bay area of Oakland and would be chiefly responsible for developing the “Oaktown” sound and along with the legendary Ice-T generally spearhead the west-coast hip-hop scene.

Too $hort released his debut EP “Don’t Stop Rappin’”in 1983 on 75 Girls Records And Tapes. Too $hort would release two more EP’s before establishing his own label with partner Freddy B called Dangerous Music.

He released his debut full-length album “Born To Mack” on Dangerous Music in 1987.

Too $hort would become one of the most prolific hip-hop artists ever, releasing 15 more albums since “Born To Mack” with 2012’s “No Trespassing” being the most recent.

Over the years, Too $hort has collaborated with the likes of Erick Sermon, E-40, Scarface, Rappin’ 4-Tay, the late 2Pac Shakur and Biggie Smalls just to name a mere few.

Too $hort has also launched the labels Short Records and Up All-Nite Records.

The West Coast legend has also appeared in the films “Menace II Society” and “American Pimp.”

In 2008, along with De La Soul, Cypress Hill, Slick Rick and Naughty By Nature, Too $hort was honored at The VH-1 Fifth Annual Hip-Hop Honors.

Too $hort is one of the most important key figures in West Coast hip-hop history.