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By Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.
When
someone says, "real Hip Hop is…" I think,
"Man, what makes you think you are the Webster's
Dictionary Hip Hop Edition editor?" Then I have to
laugh at the arrogance of someone who would even try judge
and pigeonhole the dynamically diverse culture of Hip Hop. I
say that, because one of the most successful emcees (retail
and entrepreneurial) is Too Short from the Oakland city, but
has Short received his recognition due? The question is: do
people recognize the repeated brilliance of Todd Shaw's
informative yet simple storytelling skills, which were
climaxing with the 1990 release of his epic, Short Dog's In
The House?
With …In The House, Too Short's third commercial release
(Short released several albums independently in Oakland from
1982 to 1986), is another funk driven masterpiece filled
with equal parts; pimpin', hoein', hustlin', mackin' and as
always socially conscious advising. Yes, his socially
conscious messages (present on ALL of Short's albums) are
often overlooked when senate committees and parents hear and
speak the alias name of Todd Shaw. On this classic, Short
comes with the actual factuals, displaying a gritty and
simultaneously hopeful picture of East Oakland and Anyghetto,
USA. Still on this album, Short is criticized for his
so-called misogynistic lyrics and "woman bashing."
However, in addition to the mackin' anthem "Nuthin' But
A Word To Me" featuring a 20-year old Ice Cube, Short
rocks the mic East Oakland style - paying homage to
"The Ghetto" and all of the complexities of the
life that accompany our nation's often forgotten poverty
stricken neighborhoods. "Housing authorities and the
OPD/ All these guns just to handle me…in the Ghetto."
Another socially conscious banger on …In The House is the
unforgettably bumpin' "It's Your Life." Don't be
stupid though…there's more.
A classic Hip Hop album is never complete without something
to ride and think to. With "Short but Funky" Mr.
Pimpin' Shaw accomplishes the ride half of this goal, as
does his hometown ode "In The Oaktown." However, a
true mack knows the game is to be sold and not told, so when
you bought Short there was an intro class in mackin'. Did
you pass "Pimpology?" Pimpology, provides young
L7's with a step-by-step, hands-on lesson to the mackin'
game, complete with soundbites from Pretty Tony in the
classic Blacksploitation film, The Mack. And it don't stop!
Short's expertise in mackology' continues with tales of the
freaky on "Paula and Janet", "Punk A**
Bitch" and "Hard on The Boulevard."
One more essential that should definitely be considered is
the timelessness of the production on …In The House. Along
with all of Short's albums, this one is thick with beats
that are competitive with anything that is been produced and
played today. The 808s and 909s get served on a platter with
this album as it includes production from what reads as a
Hip Hop All-Star team: Too Short, DJ Pooh, Sir Jinx, Pierre
James, Al Eaton and Keenan Foster.
In essence, Short Dog's In The House is a classic because 1)
Short is a REAL mack, unlike so many perpetrators on their
songs. C'mon man, if you're consulted by the Hughes Brothers
for the cult film "American Pimp", need I say
more? 2) Short addresses social issues (and still does on
his current albums), in essence providing a balanced
perspective of life, unlike some of these perpetrating
rappers talking about, "all I know is drugs, violence
and b**ches!" Yeah…3) Another rarity on …In The
House is how Short kicks the game for both Dead Prez and Don
Magic Juan supporters and 3) Finally, this album solidified
Short as a nationwide MC, although he was already selling
gold on the West Coast alone…in 1988.
What color pampers were you rocking then?
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