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Iconic West Coast rapper, Too $hort, is being honored with his own road in the city where he first started on the path to becoming the "Godfather of Bay Area Hip-Hop."
On Saturday, part of Oakland’s Foothill Boulevard is being renamed "Too $hort Way" to honor the California native.
The three-block stretch of Foothill Boulevard, between High Street and 47th Avenue, includes the rapper's alma mater — Fremont High.
He spent much of his formative years in the area after moving to Oakland from Los Angeles with his family as a teen.
"Foothill Bus number 43," which took him to school, is even referenced on his classic 1987 track “Freaky Tales." On it, he raps, "I once met a hooker, she did it for free on the Foothill bus number forty-three, all the way in the back she was workin' me had my big beatbox and I was jammin' the beat."
On Saturday, part of Oakland’s Foothill Boulevard is being renamed "Too $hort Way" to honor the California native.
The three-block stretch of Foothill Boulevard, between High Street and 47th Avenue, includes the rapper's alma mater — Fremont High.
He spent much of his formative years in the area after moving to Oakland from Los Angeles with his family as a teen.
"Foothill Bus number 43," which took him to school, is even referenced on his classic 1987 track “Freaky Tales." On it, he raps, "I once met a hooker, she did it for free on the Foothill bus number forty-three, all the way in the back she was workin' me had my big beatbox and I was jammin' the beat."
"There’s an understanding that we should recognize him, based not only on his talent and contributions but also just honoring and respecting those who have come before us and given back to the city,” Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution on Tuesday (Dec. 6) to recognize Too $hort's contributions to the city with the name change, said.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf's office endorsed the resolution, which describes his influence as extending to “every corner of modern music."
Born Todd Anthony Shaw, Too $hort's career has spanned over 40 years and helped define the Bay Area's distinctive hip-hop sound. He has released 22 studio albums.
"Life Is...Too Short," his fifth studio album released in 1988, made him an international star and went on to become his most successful effort to date. It has sold more than two million copies and is certified double-platinum.
Currently, Too $hort is a member of the West Coast rap supergroup Mount Westmore along with Snoop Dogg, E-40 and Ice Cube. The group's eponymously-named debut album drops on Friday. A movie inspired by "Freaky Tales" is also currently in development.
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