The Queen of queens turns 96 today. A beautiful soul who has touched so many lives with quiet wisdom, enduring faith, and a love that never falters. May God’s gentle grace surround you today & always, bringing you peace, sweet moments of laughter, and the deep comfort of knowing how very cherished you are. Every year with you is a treasure, and our hearts hold you with the deepest gratitude and love. ♥️
Jackie, I feel so truly fortunate to call you my brother. You are loved far more than words can say, and my prayer for you today is that your heart overflows with peace, love, and joy. ♥️
Born on This Day, Too $hort (@TooShort)
(Thursday, April 28, 1966)
Born on this day in Los Angeles, California, Todd Shaw, better known as the incomparable Too $hort, stands as one of the most enduring architects of West Coast Hip‑Hop, a pioneer whose influence stretches across four decades, multiple generations, and every corner of the culture. Emerging from Oakland’s fertile underground rap scene in the early 1980s, he built his name the hard way: selling tapes out the trunk, crafting a sound rooted in raw storytelling, street entrepreneurship, and an unmistakable Bay Area swagger.
His breakthrough came with Born to Mack (1987), a landmark independent success that helped define the early West Coast sound and opened the door for the region’s rise. From there, Too $hort became a fixture of Hip‑Hop history, releasing a run of platinum and gold albums, shaping the sonic identity of Oakland, and mentoring countless artists who followed. His signature “Short Dog” drawl, entrepreneurial spirit, and unfiltered approach to storytelling made him both a cultural force and a blueprint for independent artistry.
Across the decades, he remained prolific and relevant — collaborating with legends from Tupac to E‑40, from Lil Jon to Big Boi, and continuing to evolve while staying rooted in the Bay. His role in the supergroup Mount Westmore (with Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and E‑40) reaffirmed his status as a foundational pillar of West Coast Hip‑Hop. Today, Too $hort stands as one of the longest‑running active rappers in the genre’s history, a testament to longevity, reinvention, and the power of staying true to one’s voice.
Happy Birthday to a pioneer, a businessman, a culture‑shaper, and one of Hip‑Hop’s most enduring storytellers.
The Bay’s own. The legend. The Short Dog.
"Menace II Society" actor Samuel Monroe Jr. is currently on life support, according to his mother
Other Credits: "Tales From The Hood," "Don't Be A Menace," "Set It Off," "The Players Club"