The stage name Too Short is a bit of an oxymoron for a rapper who launched his career in the early 1980s and continues to impress audiences with songs like “The Ghetto” and “Blow the Whistle.” One of the major pioneers of West Coast rap, Too Short has maintained a productive career for over three decades. The legendary emcee performs infrequently, yet tickets to his shows are a hot commodity as fans line up to hear his extensive musical works that span 19 albums, 10 of which have earned gold or platinum status. No tour has been announced for 2014, although Too Short is expected to perform a concert or two over the course of the year. Too Short re-emerged in 2006 with “Blow the Whistle,” peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard 200, his highest selling and most critically acclaimed album in years. He followed up with “Get Off The Stage” (2007), “Still Blowin'” (2010) and “No Trespassing” (2012). Along with “Still Blowin'” and “No Trespassing,” Too Short has performed a variety of guest tracks for the likes of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, 50 Cent, Lil’ Jon, Scarface and Wiz Khalifia. He is also featured on Lady Gaga’s track “Jewels and Drugs” alongside T.I. and Twista.

Too Short was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area and started performing in the early ’80s with friend Freddy B. He released his first studio album, “Born to Mack,” in 1987. Too Short helped build the West Coast scene and was instrumental in the work of fellow California rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. He also collaborated with The Notorious B.I.G. and Scarface. Too Short continued to build his rap empire throughout the 1990s and 2000s and was honored by VH1 as a Hip-Hop Legend.