Still Saying "B**" After All These Years: Too $hort Drops His 23rd Album at 60**
Still Saying "B**" After All These Years: Too $hort Drops His 23rd Album at 60**
By DA FRONT PORCH
Powered by FAM / DA FRONT PORCH / KDY MEDIA
Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes
Some rappers celebrate 20 years in the game.
Too $hort is celebrating more than 40.
At 60 years old, the Bay Area icon is releasing his 23rd studio album, Sir Too $hort Vol. 2: Drink & Smoke, arriving exactly 20 years after "Blow the Whistle" became one of hip-hop's most recognizable anthems.
And yes... his favorite word is still "B**."**
But behind the catchphrase is one of hip-hop's original independent businessmen—a pioneer who proved you didn't need a major label to build a legendary career.
From Oakland Streets to Hip-Hop Royalty
Born Todd Anthony Shaw, Too $hort moved to Oakland as a teenager and began recording homemade cassette tapes with friends before selling them out of car trunks and neighborhood streets.
Years before streaming, social media, or independent distribution became the norm, Too $hort was building his own fan base one tape at a time.
As he has said in interviews:
"We were independent before independent was cool."
That entrepreneurial mindset helped inspire generations of artists to own their music, build their brands, and connect directly with fans.
Authenticity Never Goes Out of Style
Hip-hop has changed countless times over the past four decades, but Too $hort never chased trends.
Instead, he stayed true to the laid-back flow and unmistakable voice that made him famous.
As he once explained:
"I never wanted to sound like anybody else. I wanted people to hear my voice and know exactly who it was."
That consistency has influenced everyone from Snoop Dogg and E-40 to today's West Coast artists.
Becoming a father also gave him a new perspective on life.
"Having a daughter gives you a different perspective. Family becomes everything."
Lil Jon & Too $hort Run It Back
Few hip-hop partnerships have energized clubs like Too $hort and Lil Jon.
Their latest collaboration continues with Sir Too $hort Vol. 2: Drink & Smoke.
Too $hort has praised their chemistry over the years, saying:
"Working with Lil Jon is always fun because he knows how to make people move."
Essential Too $hort & Lil Jon Collaborations
- Blow the Whistle
- Shake That Monkey
- Bia' Bia'
- Couldn't Be a Better Playa
- What U Gon' Do
- Real N** Roll Call**
- Stop Snitchin'
- New collaborations on Sir Too $hort Vol. 2: Drink & Smoke
DA FRONT PORCH TAKE
Twenty years after "Blow the Whistle," Too $hort isn't chasing relevance—he's extending a legacy few rappers can match.
From selling cassette tapes in Oakland to releasing his 23rd album at age 60, he's remained authentic while generations of artists have come and gone.
Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, Sir Too $hort Vol. 2: Drink & Smoke is another reminder that longevity in hip-hop isn't about following trends—it's about staying true to who you are.
Go run the album up.