Too $hort

Oakland, California's original hip-hop export, Too Short was also one of the very first West Coast MCs, having started self-releasing records as early as 1983. Too Short is very much a prototype of the hustla/pimp/playa figure that has virtually come to define commercial rap in the new millennium. His career spanned more than three decades, and while he never achieved the enormous crossover success of heavyweights like 50 Cent and Snoop Dog, Too Short--who is an extremely respected rapper amongst students of the game--most certainly got paid. He released his 16th album, BLOW THE WHISTLE, in 2006.

• hip hop/rap