1983 to 1985 - Too Short did a concert when he was 16 at the Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium. He opened up for the group that did the "Roof is on fire" and "Request Line." soon he was the opening act in Oakland for a group UCFO, who had a hit record called 'Roxanne, Roxanne'. Freddy B was soon incarcerated, leaving Todd Shaw, now Too Short, to pursue a solo career.

He did so well at the concerts, that he began receiving offers. By now it was time to take it to the next level, and he signed his first recording contract with the record company 75 GIRLS RECORDS. "This is how I pitched myself to the record company. I don't want to do any videos or put my face on the cover. I don't want to be famous. I never wanted that. I wanted Too Short to be famous, not me." The joining to 75 Girls was was done on the strength of the 'homie system,' which he describes as "You never complete any paperwork, never sign a contract, are popular as hell but never make a dime."

His first Album dropped in 1983 was Don't stop rappin'. It must be said that nothing coming out of raps birthplace, New York, sounded like what Too Short put out at the time. While many other rappers were relying on the same old tired James Brown samples, Too Short injected fresh alternatives, with highly melodic and almost danceable sounds. The only similarities were the drum machine and the Vocoder. His use of the synthesiser and funk samples was, though it didn't create a revolution as such, still revolutionary. Another aspect that set him apart from his New York brethren, was his use of sexual language while East Coast rappers made social commentary. His first 12" record was called "Girl" and was well received. His second release on 75 Girls Records was Players which came out the same year.

It wasn't until 1985 that Short's third release Raw uncut and x-rated hit the streets - still very much limited to the streets of Oakland despite having a record deal. Lyrically, Short continued to be bouyed by the popularity of his sex-themed raps, dishing it out raw and uncut. It was on this album that a one of Short's best known songs first appeard; Blow Job Betty. As far as the music was concerned, this time around the music dug deeper into the funk, with use of deeper base and laced with funky guitarr groove and funk synthesiser, affirming Shorts distinctive sound - that would soon appearing in other West Coast rappers. It is said that Short would not master his songs unless he's tested them out on his own car stereo system first. All songs produced on these albums were produced by 75 Girls Publishing, and this is the reason why Short was not making money.

By this stage, short had finished school, and his career in music had become set in stone. He never got the chance to pursue a College Education, but considering many of his peers around him in Oakland, positive enough was the fact that he escaped the streets of his hood unscathed. "I'm not a criminal, never spent time in jail, never did drugs. I've always been a rapper, ever since 10th Grade." (Tell that to your mom if she asks what kind of role modell he is..)