Todd Anthony Shaw, better known by his stage name Too Short, is an American rapper. A pioneer of West Coast hip hop, Shaw was among the first acts to receive recognition in the genre during the late 1980s. His lyrics were often based on pimping and promiscuity, but also drug culture and street survival; exemplified respectively in his most popular singles "Blow the Whistle" and "The Ghetto." He is one of few acts to have worked with both Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. during the height of their respective careers.
Ant Banks, is an American record producer and rapper from Oakland, California.
Life Is... Too Short is the fifth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released in 1988 via Dangerous Music and re-released in 1989 through Jive Records. It appeared as a Dangerous Music/RCA Records release until Jive Records logos appeared on the release on October 25, 1990, after it became successful. It is currently his highest-selling album to date, being certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 2 million copies.
Willennium is the second studio album by American rapper Will Smith. Recorded with a range of producers, including Poke & Tone and frequent collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, it was released on November 16, 1999, by Columbia Records. The album reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, making this Smith's second top ten album and second multi-platinum album following Big Willie Style in 1997. The album also reached the top ten on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified multi-platinum in that region and in other regions. "Wild Wild West", "Will 2K" and "Freakin' It" were released as singles.
The Dangerous Crew was an American hip hop band formed by Oakland, California rapper and producer Todd "Too Short" Shaw. The Dangerous Crew consisted of both live musicians and rappers: Stuart "Shorty B" Jordan, Ramone "Pee-Wee" Gooden, Anthony "Ant" Banks, Sean G, and rappers Too Short, Mhisani "Goldy" Miller, FM Blue, Dangerous Dame, Rohnie "Rappin' Ron" Royster, Ant Diddley Dog, Robert "Spice 1" Green Jr., Rappin' 4-Tay and Damani "Father Dom" Khaleel. The Dangerous Crew also had an R&B group known as About Face, who appeared on a few of the later releases by Too Short.
14 Shots to the Dome is the fifth studio album by American hip hop recording artist LL Cool J. It was released on March 30, 1993, via Def Jam Recordings. The recording sessions took place at Marley's House of Hits, at Cove City Sound Studios, and at Unique Recording Studios, in New York, and at QDIII Soundlab in Los Angeles, at Bobcat's House in Palmdale, and at Encore Studio, in Burbank. The album was produced by Marley Marl, DJ Bobcat, Quincy Jones III, Andrew Zenable, and Chris Forte. It features guest appearances from Lords of the Underground and Lieutenant Stitchie.
Sons of the P is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground. It was released on October 15, 1991, via Tommy Boy Records. Main recording sessions took place at Starlight Sound in Richmond, with additional recordings done at Unique Recording Studios in New York, Axiom Recorders in Tampa and The Disc Ltd. in Detroit. Production was handled by D.U. in-house production team credited as The Underground Production Squad, with Atron Gregory and member Shock G serving as executive producers. It features contributions from George Clinton, Stretch and Treach.
Married to the Game is the fifteenth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on November 4, 2003 through Jive Records, making it his 12th album on the label. Recording sessions took place at The Hit Factory Criteria and Circle House Studios in Miami, The Enterprise in Burbank, Sound On Sound Recording in New York, Stankonia Recording in Atlanta and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Dez, Lil Jon, Ant Banks, and Jazze Pha, with Too $hort serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Cutty Cartel, Devin the Dude, Jagged Edge, Jazze Pha, Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz, Noreaga, Oobie and Petey Pablo. The album peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "Shake That Monkey", made it to number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 56 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The album's second single, "Choosin'", reached number 61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Put Yo Hood Up is the third studio album by American Southern hip hop group Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz. It was released on May 22, 2001 through BME Recordings/TVT Records. Recording sessions took place at Patchwerk Recording Studios, The Zone, Sound Lab, Blue Basement Recordings and Dangerous Music in Atlanta, at Streetlight Studios and The Cutting Room in New York, at Q95.5 in St. Louis, at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios in Ithaca, and at BME Studios. Production was handled by Lil' Jon, Danny D, Mr. Collipark and Paul Lewis. It features guest appearances from Chyna Whyte, Oobie, Too $hort, 6 Shot, 8Ball & MJG, Big Kap, Bohagon, Don Yute, Jazze Pha, Khujo, Kilo Ali, Ludacris, M.O.P., Quint Black, Skyy, The Nation Riders, Three 6 Mafia and YoungBloodZ, with cameo appearances from Carolyn, DJ Hershey, Leah, Mimi, Nathan Smith and Sincerley.
Shorty the Pimp is the seventh studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on July 14, 1992, via Jive Records. The album's title is taken from the 1973 blaxploitation film of the same name, featuring an eponymous character.
Cocktails is the ninth solo studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on January 24, 1995, via Jive Records—making it his sixth LP for the label. The recording sessions took place at Dangerous Music, at DARP Studios in Atlanta and at Battery Studios in New York. The album was produced by the Dangerous Crew, B. Turner and L.A. Dre. It features guest appearances from 2Pac, Ant Banks, Baby DC, Father Dom, Illegal, L.A. Dre, MC Breed, Old School Freddy B, and the rest of the Dangerous Crew.
187 He Wrote is the second studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released on September 28, 1993, via Jive Records.
AmeriKKKa's Nightmare is the third studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released November 22, 1994, via Jive Records. The recording sessions took place at Hyde Street Studios, Live Oak Studios, Dangerous Music Studios, Cherokee Studios, and Blue Palm Studios. The album was produced by Blackjack, Ant Banks, DJ Battlecat, DJ Slip, and Spice 1, who also served as executive producer with Chaz Hayes. It features guest appearances from 187 Fac, 2Pac, E-40, and Method Man.
Based on a True Story is the second solo studio album by American rapper Mack 10. It was released on September 16, 1997, through Priority Records. The album was produced by Ant Banks, Binky Mack, DJ Bobcat, Young Tre, Ice Cube, Soopafly, and Mack 10. It features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Allfrumtha I, E-40, Snoop Dogg, the Comrads, and Too $hort. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 21, 1997.
Big Thangs is a compilation presented by American rapper and producer, Ant Banks. It was released July 8, 1997 on Priority Records. The album contains no tracks on which Ant Banks himself raps but instead is a compilation of tracks that Ant Banks produced and composed, performed by various West Coast rap artists. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 20 on the Billboard 200.
Sittin' on Somethin' Phat is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Ant Banks. It was released on March 9, 1993, via Dangerous Music/Jive Records. It was produced by Ant Banks and Too $hort. It features guest appearances from Goldy, Pooh-Man, Spice 1 and Too $hort. The album peaked at number 123 on the Billboard 200, number 22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States.
The Big Badass is the second solo studio album by the American rapper and record producer Ant Banks. It was released on May 10, 1994 through Dangerous Music/Jive Records. Produced entirely by Banks himself, it features guest appearances from Ant Diddley Dog, Boots Riley, Goldy, Rappin' Ron, Spice 1, Too $hort and the rest of The Dangerous Crew. The album peaked at number 80 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Don't Fight the Feelin' is the second studio album by American rapper Rappin' 4-Tay from San Francisco, California. It was released on July 26, 1994 via Chrysalis Records and Rag Top Records. Recording session took place at Graffiti Tunez in West Oakland, at Buck Fifty Records, at Bay View Productions, at Sucka Free City and at JT's in the Mo. Production was handled by Ant Banks, Black C of RBL Posse, Cyrus Esteban, Gigolo G, J-Mack, JT the Bigga Figga, Lil' Fly, T.C., and Franky J, who also served as executive producer. The album features guest appearances from fellow San Francisco-based rappers JT the Bigga Figga, Lil' Fly and Seff tha Gaffla.
Ant Banks Presents T.W.D.Y.: Derty Werk is the debut studio album by American hip hop supergroup T.W.D.Y.. It was released on April 20, 1999 via Thump Street Records. Production was handled entirely by member Ant Banks, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Otis & Shug, Gripsta, Playa Metro, Too $hort, Agerman, B-Legit, CJ Mac, Dolla Will, J-Dubb, Keak da Sneak, Mac Mall, Mac Shawn, MC Ant, Pooh-Man and Spice 1.
Baller's Lady is the debut studio album by the American rapper Passion. It was released on August 27, 1996, through MCA Records. Production was handled by Kirv, Mark C. Henry and Studio Ton. The album features guest appearances from B-Legit, E-40, Rappin' 4-Tay and Too $hort. The album was a commercial failure and only made it to #85 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, causing MCA to drop her from the label.
