Too $hort is often overlooked when the argument of greatest rapper is discussed. This has always bothered me because in my mind, Too $hort is not only one of the greatest rappers of all time, he's one of the greatest ARTISTS of all time. He made Don't Stop Rappin' at the tender age of 17, and for the next three decades that's what he did (he didn't stop rappin'). In many ways, his career is comparable to Bob Dylan's, not only in longevity but also in the volume of work. These are just two things they have in common, but you could also find similarities in the consistent quality they both have produced year after year. However, I'm not here to make Bob Dylan comparisons all day long so let's get back to the career of $hort Dog, BIATCH!
Too $hort's four albums: Raw, UnCut, and X-Rated, Born To Mack, Life is...Too $hort, and $hort Dog's in The House were released in a five year period. This artistic mastery is very similar to Led Zeppelin's colossal run of albums I-IV that came out in the late 60's and early 70's. Following this, $horty the Pimp released four albums that evoke memories of what is known as Stevie Wonder's classic period. From '72 to '76, Wonder released Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life. 20 years later, from '92 to '96, Too $hort released Shorty The Pimp, Get in Where You Fit in, Cocktales, and Gettin' It.
Too $hort was "gettin' it" indeed. The seminal Gettin' It or "Album Number 10" (which is what loyal followers lovingly call it) was to be Too $hort's swan song. And just like that, Too $hort was retired and gone from the game. It sort of reminds me of when John Lennon walked away from music in 1977, to raise his son Sean. Nevertheless, his first album did say, "I don't stop rappin'," and three years after he retired (eerily like how John Lennon released Double Fantasy in 1980, three years after his retirement) Too Short released Can't Stay Away. He probably did this because he couldn't stay away.
A decade later, Too $hort continues to grace our minds, hearts, and souls with his lyrical genius. His influence stretches far and wide, and his presence ripples across all musical genres. Too $hort is constantly innovating, defying conventional thinking by distributing thought provoking material year after year. I leave you with these words of wisdom: "Life is...Too $hort, you better get in where you fit in." BIATCH!
Needless to say, the magical journey that has been Too $hort's career gets 5 towers.
No comments:
Post a Comment