“I read a lot and some of the things I read are blaxploitation books, things by Donald Goines or Iceberg Slim. The books are filled with a lot of street knowledge; they really recall an era.”

American rapper, late 1980s to present

Todd Anthony Shaw, known professionally as Too Short, is an American rapper and a key figure in West Coast hip-hop. He emerged in the late 1980s, when he was among the first artists in the style to gain wide recognition. His songs often deal with pimping, sex, drug culture, and survival on the streets. He is known for tracks such as “Blow the Whistle” and “The Ghetto,” and for having worked with both Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. during the peak of their careers.