Born to Mack

Born to Mack
Studio album by Too Short
Released	July 20, 1987 March 1, 1988 (Dangerous Music/RCA release) August 24, 1989 (Jive/RCA compact disc release)
Recorded	1986–87 (except "Mack Attack" in 1988)
Genre	West Coast hip-hop dirty rap
Length	51:12
Label	Dangerous Music Jive RCA [1]
Producer	Too Short T. Bohanon
Too Short chronology
Raw, Uncut, and X-Rated (1986) Born to Mack (1987) Life Is... Too Short (1988)

Born to Mack is the fourth studio album and debut major label album by American rapper Too Short. ^[2] The album was released in 1987 via Dangerous Music. It was re-released on March 1, 1988, by Jive Records/RCA, ^[3] before the success of Life Is...Too Short , although Jive Records logos did not appear on it until it was released on compact disc in 1989.

Too Short sold around 50,000 copies of the album directly from the trunk of his car. ^[4]

“Freaky Tales” and “Dope Fiend Beat” serve as the album’s key tracks, showcasing the sparse, bass-heavy sound characteristic of mid-’80s Oakland. Built on Roland TR-808 drum synthesizer stab s and a prominent bassline s, the songs exemplify a minimalist production style. Too Short delivers his verses in a relaxed, conversational cadence, narrating sexual encounters with multiple women. Rather than relying on graphic detail, the lyrics lean on implication, and the stripped-down mix with vocal reverb gives the tracks a lo-fi edge that reflects the city’s gritty, street-level perspective. ^{[5] [ unreliable source? ]}

Even without mainstream radio exposure, Born to Mack became a landmark release for both Too Short and West Coast hip hop. Its extended tracks, sex-driven storytelling, and unpolished sound set it apart from commercial rap and influenced subsequent artists. The album’s success helped draw national attention to both Too Short and the Oakland scene in the late 1980s, fully capturing the cultural outlook of the era. ^[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[4]
RapReviews	7/10 [7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[8]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	7/10 [9]

Trouser Press wrote that Too Short made "weak work of simple beats and unconvincing boasts, big-booty fantasies ('Freaky Tales,' 'Partytime'), ugly putdowns ('Dope Fiend Beat') and jailbait concerns ('Little Girls')." ^[1] The Spin Alternative Record Guide wrote that the album elevates "the 75 Girl formula without abandoning it." ^[9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Todd Shaw.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Partytime"	5:00
2.	"Mack Attack" (released on 1988 version)	5:57
3.	"Playboy Short II"	7:10
4.	"You Know What I Mean"	6:00
5.	"Freaky Tales"	9:30
6.	"Dope Fiend Beat"	6:31
7.	"Little Girls"	6:10
8.	"The Universal Mix"	3:42

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [10]	50

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [11]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Too $hort". Trouser Press. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
2. "Too $hort | Biography & History". AllMusic.
3. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
4. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 212.
5. "Top 15 Too Short Songs". Hip Hop Golden Age. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
6. Mtume Salaam (August 24, 1989). "Born to Mack Too $hort". AllMusic. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
7. "Too $hort :: Born to Mack :: Jive/Zomba". RapReviews. January 25, 2003. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
8. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 711.
9. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 412.
10. "Too Short Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
11. "American album certifications – Too Short – Born to Mack". Recording Industry Association of America.