Too $hort’s favorite rap tune of all time

Too $hort’s one of the well-known artists to come back out of the Bay Space. Born and raised in Oakland, Too $hort had his ear to the streets of his metropolis and knew what sort of music the individuals needed. With the identical gangsta content material as N.W.A, however on the similar time incorporating hyphy music parts into his music, Too $hort shortly created a buzz in Oakland along with his cassettes that flew round Oakland and San Francisco, main him to get signed by Oakland impartial label, 75 Ladies Data And Tapes.

On this label, in 1983, he launched his debut album, Don’t Cease Rappin’, and from there, continued to develop. In 1985, Too $hort and Freddie B shaped a label to create and distribute their music independently, they usually had continued success.

Nevertheless, slowly however absolutely, their music started to journey the Bay Area. Too $hort finally signed with Precedence and is taken into account one of many first mainstream rappers to emerge from The Bay Space.

As a West Coast artist, previous to the mid-Nineteen Eighties, there weren’t many MCs in California whom Too $hort (actual identify Todd Shaw) might look as much as. Because the birthplace of hip-hop, the late-70s and early-80s noticed New York dominate and domesticate the tradition. With lyricists from the Bronx sending shockwaves throughout the US, many had been in awe of acts from New York.

That stated, Shaw was no totally different and in an interview with Pitchfork, the Oakland artist unveiled one in every of his favorite group’s rising up and his favorite tune. Talking with the publication, Shaw unveiled, “‘The Message’ is probably the most important rap song in my life because it changed the direction of how I wrote songs.”

He continued, “I was in high school when it came out, and I was just writing party rhymes that weren’t really about anything. But after I heard ‘The Message,’ I started telling the story of Oakland. That was the basis of all my songs from that point on. Besides that, it still sounds good today. It never really went the way of becoming a novelty hit or an oldie. That’s still a solid beat, and whenever somebody samples it, it’s a fuckin’ hit again!”

‘The Message’ released by Grandmaster Flash and The Livid 5 in 1982, was successful and is seemed again on as one of many first political hip-hop songs of all time. It’s undoubtedly a traditional. You’ll be able to hear Too $hort’s favorite tune within the video under.