Too Short

2 Chainz Praises 'Father Figure' Too $hort On 'RapFix Live'

27 Jan 2012 11:53:00 EST

Atlanta rapper commends Short Dog on his beef-free career and way with the ladies.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

No doubt 2 Chainz is the hottest underground rapper in the streets right now, so when he threw a nod to rap legend Too $hort on Rick Ross' "F--- Em," it proved that the ATL spitter's hip-hop ties were deep-rooted. "Dad wasn't around; my father figure was Too $hort," 2 Chainz spit when he appeared on Rozay's Rich Forever mixtape.

So when Chainz and Short Dog appeared on Wednesday's "RapFix Live," they shared quite a moment. It was $hort's 1988 album Life Is ... Too $hort that provided 2 Chainz with his earliest musical memories after he sent someone much older than him to the store to buy the explicit CD LP for him. "I remember being in the neighborhood and all the other kids' parents thought I was bad because I was tryin' to get them to get on that," 2 Chainz said.

2 Chainz went on to praise $hort for his beef-free career as well as his way with the ladies. "I can only imagine why $hort has never had beef with nobody," 2 Chainz told "RapFix" host Sway Calloway. "He's a straight-up businessman. He got a savvy and it is about the women. And at the end of the day, it's about getting your money."

Getting money is something 2 Chainz knows plenty about. His current single, "Spend It," is a lyrical celebration of life's excesses. Industry insiders expect Chainz to go on to cash even bigger checks once he signs with one of the major labels that have been pursuing him. "I'm coming up to New York to have a few finalized meetings," 2 Chainz said about his plans for next week.

Chainz is also headlining his first major NYC show at SOB's on Monday and will stop by "RapFix Live" next Wednesday.

Related Videos

'RapFix Live' With Bow Wow And Too $hort

Related Artists

Too $hort, Lil' Kim Tried To Make 'Musical Sex' On 'Call Me'

26 Jan 2012 12:52:56 EST

'We tried to, like, have sex on the song,' Too $hort tells 'RapFix Live' of his and Lil' Kim's 1997 collabo.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Too $hort has built quite the reputation with the ladies in his 30-plus years in rap. Songs like "Freaky Tales" and "I'm a Player" expertly showcase Short Dog's ability to seduce women with his raps, so when his record label requested that he work with Lil' Kim on the 1997 single "Call Me," Kim's then on-and-off boyfriend the Notorious B.I.G. was more than a little concerned.

"I paid for the tickets for Kim and her manager to come to Atlanta and I went to pick them up to take them to the studio and who gets off the plane? No Lil' Kim, it was Biggie," Too $hort recalled with a laugh when he appeared on Wednesday's episode of "RapFix Live."

Though $hort and B.I.G. had built a good rapport before the Brooklyn great was slain in 1997, prior to recording with Kim, they didn't really know each other. Too $hort remembers B.I.G. coming off the plane on a pair of crutches that he was forced to use after he was involved in a car accident. The two sat down to talk, and according to $hort, the Notorious one inquired about the Oakland rapper's intentions with his artist and sometime love interest. "So what's goin' on with you and Kim? What's happenin'?" Too $hort remembered Biggie asking.

After $hort explained to Big that he only was interested in recording with Kim for his single, the "Juicy" rapper approved the collaboration. "He wanted to know what was goin' on with his little thang before he let it happen," $hort said. "So I explained it to him... and sure enough she showed up on the next flight. We got in the lab and we worked it out." Kim, who titled her 1996 debut album Hardcore, had become known for her sexually explicit lyrics, just like Too $hort, but the first version of "Call Me" didn't quite meet expectations, $hort revealed. "Believe it or not, we did the song and everybody said, 'Man, it's not dirty enough,' " $hort laughed.

Eventually they re-recorded the dirty version that fans have come to know. "We tried to, like, have sex on the song," he said. "It wasn't physical sex, but we tried to make musical sex. I think we achieved it."

Did you catch Too $hort on Wednesday's "RapFix Live"?Share your thoughts on the interview in the comments!

Related Videos

'RapFix Live' With Bow Wow And Too $hort

Related Artists

Too Short Addresses Idaho Nightclub Arrest

19 Jul 2010 17:37:41 EDT

'The incident that night was completely taken out of context,' rapper says of reports that he was socializing with underage females.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Last week, Too Short was arrested and charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery after a scuffle broke out between the star and his associate and club security at the Boise, Idaho, Knitting Factory. According to the Idaho Statesman, witnesses said the fight started after security informed the star that bringing underage women backstage and into his dressing room was prohibited. The MC was released from custody after posting bail.

Too Short (real name: Todd Anthony Shaw) recently spoke out about the incident and blasted reports that suggested he was inappropriately fraternizing with young women. "The accusations against me regarding my arrest in Idaho on July 15th were untrue and exaggerated," the rapper told XXL magazine in a statement. "Due to my work with young people in Oakland, I am extremely outraged at the way I am being portrayed. The incident that night was completely taken out of context, and I have not and never will take advantage of any woman that is underage."

The MC also said he wanted to maintain his status as a role model to his young fans. "I have been dedicated to youth organizations and wish to continue to support them," the statement continued. "I do not want my community and especially young people that look up to me to think that this is the type of thing that I would do."

Reps for Too Short did not respond to MTV News' request for comment at press time.

The Cali star is due in court August 4 and could face a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison if convicted.

Related Artists

Too Short Arrested After Idaho Nightclub Fight

15 Jul 2010 16:49:48 EDT

Rapper charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery after a tussle with security.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Bay Area rapper Too Short was arrested and charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery Thursday morning (July 15) stemming from an incident in an Idaho nightclub.

According to police records, the 44-year-old MC (real name: Todd Shaw) was released after posting bail and is scheduled to return to court August 4.

Another man was also charged in the incident, which the Idaho Statesman is reporting as a fight with security workers who attempted to stop the rapper and his associate from inviting underage women to the backstage area.

Short performed at the Boise Knitting Factory on Wednesday night as part of a lineup that also included E-40 and Mack 10.

After his performance, the rapper and his associate, who was charged with two counts of battery, reportedly were involved in a tussle with club security, eyewitnesses told police, after the gentlemen warned Too Short about his behavior. Police were called to the scene and took the two men into custody. If Too Short is found guilty of all charges, he could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

As of press time, Too Short nor a representative for the rapper could be reached for comment.

Related Artists

Too Short And Bun B Remember UGK's Early Days

27 Jul 2009 11:21:00 EDT

'UGK were not just superstars to their fans, those were my homies,' Short says, in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid

Live from Scranton, Pennsylvania ... What it do, peoples? We're a little late today, but the Mixtape Daily family is a few hours from our secret headquarters in New York, checking out the Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival. We were with Weezy and Drizzy Drake for their rehearsal on Sunday night, and we're getting up with Soulja Boy and Young Jeezy (what up, Jade and B?) on Monday (July 27). For now, though, we're going to give you a real exclusive: two of our favorite legends, Too Short and Bun B. We chopped it up with the friends in Texas a while ago, when they were recording and giving up some good memories of performing at shows together. Totally unrelated: Kanye, that beat and your verse on Jay-Z's "Run This Town" are extremely ridiculous.

Cornerstone Credentials

Too Short and UGK are family as well as former labelmates. Short had a few years on Bun B and Pimp C when they started chopping it up and being cool back in the late '80s. Not only did Short Dog give the trailblazing duo game about how to deal with Jive Records, he also gave them jewels about performing. One thing that both Short and the Underground Kingz have in common is that both acts are of the people.

"Well, you know what, the one thing that I'll always remember that I got from UGK was I watched them," said Short, sitting next to Bun in the studio. "You know, I always been about keeping it simple in the studio. When you get on that stage, it's gonna be you and some other groups. Get in there, you gotta shine. So, I always say that when I was the OG and they were the youngsters, I'd always say to them, 'Come out, always do a good show.' But every time I'd see them, their show would get better and better. I just used to listen to the song selection and how they could take their fans [on a journey].

"You're talking about a group that had no singles, that had no video, and they're ripping every crowd they see," Short continued. "The crowd knows every word. And it was just amazing. I kinda came up the same way, but to just step outside and look at somebody doing it like me — these dudes have no single and they doing a 60-minute set, and the crowd is loving every second of it. UGK were not just superstars to their fans, those were my homies. You feel me? Like, you the fan, you're like, 'Oh, that's Pimp, that's my homie. That's Bun, that's my homie.' "

Bun says the same holds true today. He's such a man of the people, sometimes his fans don't recognize him even when he's right in front of their faces.

"People are always telling me I look like Bun B," Bun laughed. "People don't ever say, 'Bun B, what's up?' I went to the store to get some cigars. Girl behind the counter, she was laughing with her homegirl. I was like, 'What y'all laughing about?' She said, 'Nah, [we were] talking about how much you look like Bun B.' I was like, 'Yeah, right, like Bun B would come in here.' She said, 'Yeah, I bet people tell you that.' I said, 'Every day somebody tells me I look like Bun B.' "

"We're the kinda cats, man, we get offstage we go straight to the crowd," Short added. "I don't get bum-rushed. They just come to me like, 'Short, yo what's up, man? I just wanna shake a player's hand. I just want to take a picture.' "

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

Related Videos

Mixtape Daily: Lil Wayne, Tony Yayo, The Game, More

Related Artists

Bun B And Too Short Support Dallas Like The City Supported Them

26 Feb 2009 07:50:00 EST

'A lot of artists in Houston got broken in Dallas first,' Bun says of his Texas neighbor.
By Shaheem Reid

DALLAS — Bun B has simple but perfect advice for all the artists in Dallas trying to blow up and put their town on hip-hop's national radar: "Just rep for your city," the Port Arthur, Texas, rapper said from Maximedia Studio.

Bun was recently working on UGK's final LP with one of the record's guests, Too Short. Bun and Short were in town working with producers Play N Skillz on different tracks.

While Dallas' support of hip-hop has been a staple, Bun said the city's artists haven't gotten their proper shine.

"Dallas has always been a big supporter of Houston hip-hop," Bun said. "A lot of us would not have broken on a major scale if Dallas hadn't been there to be that second major market to pick up on us and help break us. A lot of artists in Houston got broken in Dallas first before they got broken in Houston in a major way. A lot of people will be surprised that Dallas has always been the number-one market for UGK. Dallas has always bought 10 to 15 more copies of every UGK album than Houston."

"I probably did more [shows] in Dallas than Houston," Short added. "You can come out here every two weeks, and you gonna sell out."

Bun said part of the reason Dallas' hip-hop scene hasn't gotten bigger is that the artists have been trying to find their identity. At times, they've tried too hard to distinguish themselves from Southern neighbors Houston and have lost a bit of focus.

"Dallas' scene and the Houston scene is really only different because [of] the geography," Bun said. "[Houston] is a little closer to the water. We're a little bit more flatland. It's a different mentality that comes with that. We get a little more sunny weather, a little bit more wind. You come up to Dallas, it gets a little colder. They got a lot of hills, so they ride a little different. It's just a different mentality. Houston people and Dallas people talk different."

"Hold up, they talk a lot different," Short corrected his friend with a smile. "It's a totally different Southern slang."

"But they sound just like St. Louis people," Bun added.

Short and Bun are pleased to see that Dallas in on the upswing, with Play N Skillz winning a Grammy at the past ceremony and Trai'D and the GS Boyz signing major-label deals recently. Both acts have been fast-tracked to drop LPs this year, especially with the GS Boyz's "Stanky Leg" looking to be this year's "Crank That."

"I'm happy to see my region is showing up for them in numbers like they showed up for us," Bun said.

Dallas has a lot to offer! In the coming days, we're bringing you details on the city's burgeoning hip-hop movement — from dances to fashion to hairstyles and, of course, the music. We got it all, so keep checking back for more during Dallas Week.

Related Videos

It's Dallas Week

Related Artists

Travis Barker Reclaims Remix-King Throne; Collabos With Young Dro, Too Short On Tap

17 Jan 2008 08:03:00 EST

Drummer also recently recorded track with (+44) bandmate Mark Hoppus, is producing songs for Paul Wall and Mickey Avalon.
By Gil Kaufman

Though you would never suspect it from his heavily inked torso and past punk projects, former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker's dream is to wind up as the Buddy Rich-like leader of a great jazz big band.

"Ever since I started playing music, I had this idea of what I want to do, and it was to graduate to playing in a jazz big band, because that's what I started playing [in] when I first learned drums," said Barker, 32, of where he wants to be at age 50.

But for now, with his rock band (+44) in a holding pattern, the propeller-armed drummer has his head firmly planted in the hip-hop world. Barker recently released his latest home-brewed viral-sensation hip-hop remix video, a grainy clip for the Flo Rida smash "Low." Like last year's pounding video remake of Soulja Boy's "Crank That," a single-shot clip of Barker mercilessly beating the skins along to the bubble-gum ringtone hit that has drawn more than 10 million views on YouTube, the "Low" remix is as raw as it gets.

"Either an artist comes to me, or I'll approach an artist with a single I like and I feel I can do something with," said Barker of his MO when remixing rap tunes. His remixes typically include heavy rock guitars and keyboards laid over his dinosaur-stomp beats and cascade of cymbal crashes. "The video is really just the recording process for the remix, and the Soulja Boy one is the actual take of that recording. I just thought people would be interested in seeing how it was done, and I never thought it would get as crazy as it has." Since being posted earlier this week, the "Low" video has already racked up more than 300,000 views.

With the Flo Rida video just starting to gain traction, Barker has already staked out the next song he might rework: "Haterz," from Atlanta's B.O.B. Like the Soulja Boy remix, it will likely end up as an iTunes exclusive download at some point.

Barker has done similar remixes (without the low-budget videos) for Pharrell ("Can I Have It Like That"), Rihanna ("Umbrella") and Rich Boy ("Throw Some D's"), and he said his method is pretty simple: "When I flip something, it's usually a song where you love the original, but you say, 'Man, it could be this, or it could have a wall of guitars here and bass drops here,' and that's what I do," he said.

Barker recently performed the Soulja Boy remix with the rapper on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and he said he likes to do at least one performance with each of his subjects if he can, but he's got much bigger plans for the future than just one-off shows. Among his many projects currently percolating is a remix album he hopes to have done by the end of the year and that would include his most famous work. It would also feature some new songs he is creating by going into the library of a major label (he can't say which one yet) and getting his hands on some instrumentals and a cappella tracks of classic tunes. His dream is to pair those remakes with a litany of songs he's currently sitting on, including new tracks he has recorded with Young Dro, Too Short, the Federation, E-40 and Keak Da Sneak.

When we caught up with Barker, he was, literally, in two places at once in his home studio. In one room he was producing songs for the "sick" new album from gutter-punk rapper Mickey Avalon, and in the other he was recording a cover of the Adolescents' "Amoeba" with former Blink partner — and (+44) bandmate — Mark Hoppus for inclusion on an upcoming Vans Warped Tour compilation. And though label issues scuttled his planned album-length collaboration with grill-master Paul Wall on their Expensive Taste side project, Barker is also producing some songs for Wall's yet-untitled upcoming album.

"I'm just doing what I love," said Barker. "But it's definitely flattering to see how many people have watched the videos. It's cool."

Related Artists

Ghostface Hopes For A Killah Week; Plus Wyclef Jean, Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado And More, In New Releases

04 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

Also due Tuesday: DJ Drama, 2Pac, Daft Punk, Godsmack, Too Short, Blake Lewis, Scissor Sisters, 'Live Earth,' Styles P.
By Kurt Orzeck

The eight days of Hanukkah begin at sunset Tuesday (December 4), and in commemoration of the holiday, we've lined up the week's eight biggest new releases:

Ghostface Killah's The Big Doe Rehab
December 4 matters more to Ghost than to a lot of the artists dropping new releases this week, mainly because he actually had to put up a fight to keep the date. While he told Mixtape Monday in October that his seventh studio album had been cemented for a December 4 release date "for the longest [time]," he came to discover that the new Wu-Tang Clan album, The 8 Diagrams, had been pegged for the same date. But apparently in an effort to appease Ghost, RZA delayed the latter disc a week — which likely made him as content as he appears on his new CD's album cover. He has most of his fellow Clan along for the ride — RZA's nowhere to be found, though — as well as Beanie Sigel, Chrisette Michele and others on the follow-up to Fishscale, which was widely ranked as one of the best rap releases of 2006.

Wyclef Jean's Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Ghost's guest list pales in comparison to Wyclef's, which isn't just longer but runs the gamut in terms of music genres. Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, Serj Tankian, T.I., Norah Jones, Akon, Shakira, Chamillionaire and even Paul Simon play a role on the release, which features a bonus big name on pretty much every track. Pick up the deluxe edition for even more guest-star goodness — Weezy, 'Kon, Raekwon and more are featured on some of the extra CD's five additional tracks and three videos. The iTunes version of Carnival II has yet another bonus track, while the Best Buy edition comes with three Rhapsody Original extras.

DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz: The Album
There's yet another red-hot guest list in the mix this week, and it's the one featured on Drama's long-overdue studio-LP debut. Diddy, Outkast, T.I., Young Jeezy, Lil Jon, Wayne, the Clipse, Yung Joc, Pharrell, Paul Wall and Nelly all piled onto the disc. The effort was delayed a few times due to Drama's much-publicized studio raid earlier this year and controversy over his well-known moniker, which left him time to come up with another banger or two. "What a better time to drop than during the holidays, a week and a half after Thanksgiving?" Drama recently told Mixtape Monday. "I call myself 'Mr. Thanksgiving.' "

Mariah Carey's "The Adventures of Mimi" DVD
Mirroring Justin Timberlake — who released his new "FutureSex/LoveShow - Live From Madison Square Garden" DVD only through Best Buy a couple of weeks ago — Mimi has stepped up with her own exclusive double-DVD release for the chain. Her first video package since 2000's "#1's" collection captures her October 8, 2006, concert in Anaheim, California, with 19 performances, behind-the-scenes clips, a tour documentary, a karaoke-style feature and more.

Nelly Furtado's Loose: The Concert
Furtado is feeling a bit more generous than Carey — the singer is not only releasing her concert set wide, she's also issuing it in both CD and DVD form. The former item finds Furtado running through 11 of her best-known songs while on her recent European and U.S. tours in support of Loose — including "I'm Like a Bird" and "Promiscuous" — while the expanded DVD has her covering Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and chalking up a bunch more songs, including "Turn Off the Light" and "Powerless." In case fans need even more incentive to grab the DVD instead, it comes with a half-hour's worth of behind-the-scenes video footage with the pop star.

Styles P's Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman)
We've been streaming for free the third solo effort from the D-Block member, a disc that has "Blow Ya Mind" (featuring Swizz Beatz) as its first single. But that's not the only guest P has in tow — he also tapped one of his December 4 competitors, Ghostface, as well as Beanie Sigel, Akon, Jadakiss and others. "I'm just trying to be the MC and come with good, old-fashioned street soul music," he recently told Mixtape Monday of the vibe of the effort, which marks his debut on Koch Records. "I really feel like the '90s era."

Godsmack's Good Times, Bad Times ... Ten Years of Godsmack
The hard-rock band has sold about 11 million albums in the U.S. since it formed 11 years ago, and with a dozen or so singles that rock radio has probably burned into your brain, a greatest-hits collection is only fitting. Also "good timing," so to speak — given Led Zeppelin's recent reunion — is Godsmack's cover of the classic-rockers' "Good Times, Bad Times," which kicks off the 16-song menu. Aficionados will likely want to grab the CD-plus-DVD edition, which features the band performing acoustically at the House of Blues in Las Vegas.

Blake Lewis' Audio Day Dream
Last but not least, the beatboxing "American Idol" alumnus steps up with his first album — for which he claimed to MTV News that he had invented a whole new genre. "I call it '2080,' because it's a mix of all the great pop music that's inspired me," he said of the disc, which blends funk, soul, rock and pop. The sixth-season finalist's album is led by the single "Break Anotha," which was co-written with and produced by Ryan "Alias" Tedder of One Republic, as well as other tracks Tedder helped craft. J.R. Rotem produced and co-wrote "What'cha Got 2 Lose?" with Lewis and fellow "Idol" finalist Chris Richardson, while none other than Lupe Fiasco — who cranks out his own new album, Lupe Fiasco's "The Cool," in a couple of weeks — is featured on "Know My Name."

That's a Rap: Hip-hop heads have a lot on their plate this week — in addition to all the above, there's also a new album from Scarface, Made, that features guest spots from (surprise!) Lil Wayne and T.I. Scarface's last album did well, reaching #12 on the Billboard albums chart and selling more than 300,000 copies, but with hardly any promotion behind his new effort, it's going to be tough for him to score a repeat performance. Also back in stores is Too Short, whose Get Off the Stage is coming under the radar as well — probably because it's the last release he's putting out through Jive. It features E-40, the Pack and more.

There's plenty more bristling on the archival front too, chiefly the new two-part The Best of 2Pac collection. The discs are being sold separately and feature one unreleased song and one new remix apiece: Part 1: Thug has "Resist the Temptation" and a new mix of "Dear Mama" featuring Anthony Hamilton, whose original version was nominated for a Grammy Award; while Part 2: Life contains "Dopefiend's Diner," which finds 2Pac using a vocal sample of the melody line from Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner," and an acoustic remix of "Thugz Mansion."

Mack 10, Fiend and Westside Connection are also getting some love from the vaults with best-of collections, while some of Eazy-E's most memorable guest spots were culled for Featuring Eazy-E. An expanded 20th-anniversary edition of N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton is also hitting stores — with five bonus slices, including a live performance of "Compton's N the House" by Dr. Dre and MC Ren, and covers of Compton tracks by Snoop Dogg, C-Murder, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Mack 10 and WC. And repping newer talent is TVT's Crunk Hits Vol. 4 comp, which has the latest crunk classics by T.I., Lil Jon, Chris Brown and more.

Song Title of the Week:

"Conjunctions, Conjunctions, Everybody Loves Them" from Memphis May Fire's Memphis May Fire

Album Cover of the Week:

Ex-Boyfriends' three different "Clue"-themed covers for In With

Other Notables:

Various artists' "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis"
In case you weren't privy to the landmark 7/7/07 event, a little guy named Al Gore is trying to raise awareness about a little issue called global warming. Backing him up at the concerts were about 100 of the world's best-known musicians whose performances across the globe were whittled down for the two-hour broadcast captured on this two-DVD/one-CD set. The first video disc spotlights John Legend, Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Snow Patrol and more; the second one has Rihanna, Foo Fighters and the Smashing Pumpkins, among others; and the CD includes tunes by Madonna, John Mayer<

Related Artists

Ghostface Killah

Wyclef Jean

Mariah Carey

Nelly Furtado

DJ Drama

New Releases: Gwen, Ciara, Eminem's Mixtape, Black Eyed Peas & More

05 Dec 2006 06:00:00 EST

Also due Tuesday: 'Dreamgirls' soundtrack, 30 Seconds to Mars, Lil Scrappy, Metallica, Cure, Too Short, Tristeza.
By Kurt Orzeck

Gwen Dolin': Gwen Stefani snagged Pharrell — not to mention Akon, No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal and Depeche Mode's Martin Gore — for her second solo affair, The Sweet Escape. But fans who want to hear a little more of Mr. Williams had the opportunity to get the original Neptunes mix of "Wind It Up" via the iTunes preorder, which also carried live audio and video versions of the track. And if you find yourself traveling to the U.K. anytime soon, you might want to get the edition that's appearing there: It's bolstered by another bonus tune, "Orange County Girl."
Girl Power: Stefani should do a bang-up job on the charts this week, but in case she doesn't, there's another leading lady reppin': Ciara. The Evolution zeroes in on the singer as an artist, as she co-wrote and co-produced every track on the LP — though she did get powerhouse producers Rodney Jerkins, Will.I.Am, Lil Jon, Dallas Austin and Pharrell to help her grow up. In case that's not enough, the CD boasts guest spots by 50 Cent and Chamillionaire — not to mention a limited-edition bonus DVD featuring dance instructions for two tracks, behind-the-scenes action and more.
And while "Dreamgirls" is getting lots of Oscar buzz, the female-fronted flick gets an extra lift with two versions of the soundtrack, both reaching stores this week. The standard version has 20 tracks sung by Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and even Eddie Murphy, as well as a 36-page lyric and photo book. It's nothing but a dream.
In-House Competition: Ciara is not the only challenger Gwen's facing this week: On the DVD front, she's also going head-to-head with five artists who are also on Interscope/Geffen/A&M's sprawling roster.
Black Eyed Peas have been around for a good 15 years or so, but surprisingly, "Live From Sydney to Vegas" is their first live-performance DVD. It's jammed with 70 minutes of Fergie, Will.I.Am and company phunking up Sydney, as well as a unique bonus feature that lets you toggle between the Sydney and Las Vegas performances of select songs as they play out. For good measure, the disc has two exclusive videos of unreleased Monkey Business tracks.
Pussycat Dolls' "Live From London" is the first live-performance DVD by that group too, and in addition to seven songs the ladies strutted through in the titular city, it's got five music videos and up-close-and-personal footage galore.
On the rock front, the Cure's "Festival 2005" corrals a whopping 30 performances by the unconquerable goths and includes material captured by fans. Rise Against's "Generation Lost" only has five live performances in comparison but also encompasses the career-reviewing documentary "How We Survive," four videos and two making-of clips.
Rounding out the competition is Sheryl Crow's "Wildflower Tour: Live From New York" DVD, which has 17 performances by the 44-year-old singer/songwriter.
Heavy Viewing for Your Pleasure: Video racks are getting stuffed with even more visual treats this week too, courtesy some volume-11 acts.
Metallica's "The Videos: 1989-2004" is loaded, you might say, with 20 videos by the metal titans, as well as bonus versions of two tracks. Also included is the trailer for the unforgettable documentary "Some Kind of Monster."
Slipknot's "Voliminal: Inside the Nine" is even more packed. The first disc is a 90-minute film drummer M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan caught on hand-held cameras. That DVD also has nine "rabbit holes" — a.k.a. Easter eggs. The second one has a wide range of live footage, videos and bandmember interviews, as well as an intimate look at the masks the nonet used on its most recent tour.
Look underground and you'll find Botch's "061502," which immortalizes the June 15, 2002, performance at Seattle's Showbox that marked the hardcore heroes' demise. To make matters better, there's also commentary on the gig; five additional cuts from a Bellingham, Washington, show; the video for "St. Matthew Returns to the Womb"; and a bonus CD with the Seattle stuff.
The Rap Wrap: One of the most talked-about mixtapes in ages, Eminem Presents: The Re-Up also hits stores this week. Originally envisioned as a mixtape to launch Stat Quo, Ca$his and Bobby Creekwater — not as a Proof tribute CD, as some had claimed — the all-star disc features Em himself, 50 Cent and Obie Trice.
Em was supposed to appear on Lil Scrappy's Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live, which also streets this week, but while 50 Cent is all over it, Slim sat this one out. The crunk-a-licious sophomore also assembled Lil Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Yung Joc, Jazze Pha, Yo Gotti and Young Buck for his first Reprise release.
Project Pat tells a new tale in Crook by Da Book: The Fed Story, a 20-track narrative that begins with "I Ain't Going Back to Jail" and ends with "Been Gettin' Money." Three 6 Mafia turn up on two slices, while Young Jeezy, Beanie Sigel and Lyfe Jennings lend Pat a hand elsewhere.
Too Short's career gets a look-see with the unfortunately titled The Mack of the Century ... Greatest Hits, which makes it sound like the still-active rapper retired last decade (or just started making music during this one — also untrue). The straightforward CD cobbles together 13 hits.
Not to be overlooked is J Xavier, who dropped the "Lil' " from his name before dropping his new Young Prince of Tha South. The 14-year-old, who recently toured with Chris Brown and Ne-Yo, managed to rope in Mike Jones, Lil' Keke and even George Clinton for his LP, which features a song that's actually called "I Love My Music."
Just Wait One Second ...: 30 Seconds to Mars are celebrating the unexpected success of their second LP, A Beautiful Lie, with a deluxe version of the 2005 release. The bonus DVD has a medley of material, including footage from their "$2 Bill Concert" for MTV2 to their arrival on the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet to fan interviews and more. Neat-o, Leto.
Song Title of the Week:
"Good Googly Moogly" from Project Pat's Crook by Da Book: The Fed Story
Other Notables:
Various artists' The O.C. Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks: Lady Sovereign covering the Sex Pistols? Pinback doing Black Flag? Rogue Wave saluting Pixies? It's all right here, on this "WTF?" collection of 12 exclusive recordings. Also featured are Mates of States running through Phantom Planet's "California," MTV You Hear It First rockers Tally Hall taking on the Killers' "Smile Like You Mean It" and Rock Kills Kid chiming in with their rendition of Spoon's "I Turn My Camera On." Now that was unexpected.
Rob Da Bank & Chris Coco's Listen Again: Here's another provocative comp, this one a two-disc smorgasbord of the BBC Radio One DJs' favorite tunes of late. Taste-making tracks by José González, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Hard-Fi and Gogol Bordello brighten up the set, as do exclusive live recordings from Arab Strap, James Yorkston and King Creosote.
Tristeza's En Nuestro Desafío: Stop crying, Tristeza fans: A DVD by your favorite San Diego somnambulists has finally arrived. And better yet, it's only the corollary to a brand-new album. Moving from ambient sounds to more of a lo-fi minimalism, the CD — which the band recorded entirely in Mexico, despite many frustrating dealings with border patrol — features nine songs, including "Wearing the Blues," "Cuando Cuando Amor Amor" and "Swoop Me Up." The bonus video disc contains a 30-minute movie tracking the band, as well as a bonus video for "Stumble on Air," a song that appeared on last year's A Colores.
New Releases:
· Babyshambles - The Blinding (EP; Capitol) [Buy Now] · Drake Bell - It's Only Time (limited-edition version also available; Universal) · Cajmere vs. Green Velvet - Ministry of Sound Sessions (Ministry of Sound) · Ciara - The Evolution (comes with limited-edition DVD; LaFace) [Buy Now] Read: "Ciara Talks Single Life, Dreams Of Acting Like A Boy On Evolution" · Billy Cobham's Glassmenagerie - Stratus (MVD Audio) · David Daniell - Coastal (Table of Elements) · Danny Elfman - "Charlotte's Web" soundtrack (Sony Classical) · Chris Farlowe - At Rockpalast (MVD Audio) · James Horner - "Mel Gibson's Apocalypto" soundtrack (Hollywood) · Inner Banks - The Inner Banks (Dag) · J Xavier - Young Prince of Tha South (Noo Day/ Music World) · Lil Scrappy - Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live (Reprise) [Buy Now] Read: "Lil Scrappy Enlists Eminem, 50, Lil Jon For 'Half Sorry, Half Party' LP" · Brian McKnight - 10 (Warner Bros.) [Buy Now] · Project Pat - Crook by Da Book:

Related Artists

Gwen Stefani

Ciara

Eminem

Black Eyed Peas

30 Seconds To Mars

The Pack Rock Their 'Vans' To MySpace Stardom

10 Oct 2006 18:57:00 EDT

Group followed the oldest (ode to sneakers) and then the newest (MySpace) routes to success.
By

Related Artists

Too Short

Too Short

Too Short

Too Short

Too Short

Too Short - On My Level

12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

On My Level

Artist: Too Short

Label: Atlantic Records, Rostrum

Director: Jake Davis

Album: I Won't Worry

Too Short - California

23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

California

Artist: Too Short

Label: V-White Ent., Fadde Inc.

Director: Ben Griffin

Too Short - Trick

11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Trick

Artist: Too Short

Label: Heavy on the Grind ENT.

Director: Ben Griffin

Album: Adventures in Rhythm

Too Short - Can I Take Ya Picture

22 Sep 2009 07:00:00 EDT

Can I Take Ya Picture

Artist: Too Short

Label: Bungalo Records (Canada)

Director: Christian Strickland

Album: Get Close

Too Short - In the Trunk

29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In the Trunk

Artist: Too Short

Label: Jive Records

Director:

Album: James Brown's Funky People

Too Short - Blow the Whistle

10 Apr 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Blow the Whistle

Artist: Too Short

Label: Jive

Director: Bernard Gourley

Album: White Heat: Film Noir

Too Short - Bossy

21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST

Bossy

Artist: Too Short

Label: La Face

Director: Marc Klasfeld

Album: The Prophet Speaks

Too Short - I Ain't Trippin'

23 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

I Ain't Trippin'

Artist: Too Short

Label: Jive/RCA Records

Director:

Too Short - Life Is... Too Short

23 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Life Is... Too Short

Artist: Too Short

Label: Jive Records/RCA Records

Director:

Too Short - Short But Funky

23 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Short But Funky

Artist: Too Short

Label: Jive/RCA Records

Director: