Can't Stay Away
WithCan't Stay Away, his first album since his self-imposed retirement, X-rated rapper Too Short (a.k.a. Todd Shaw) picks up where he left off with his last release, 1996'sGettin' It. Born in Los Angeles, raised in Oakland, and now living in Atlanta, Too Short is famous for yowling "biiitch" with a distinct sneer, and he's changed little over the years. The fellatio-obsessed rapper still knows how to lay down a slow, funky groove, but his lyrics are nothing short of offensive. With the exception of self-reflexive songs like "Divide and Conquer" and "Still Strugglin'," Short keeps to the usual playa themes, boasting about his sexual prowess ("Don't Stop Rappin'") and complaining about the girls who don't got back ("Invasion of the Flat Booty Bitches"). Cameos byEightball and MJG,Jay-Z,Shabba Ranks, Daz,Scarface, andLil' Kimsuggest that a short-lived hiatus hasn't hurt Too Short's popularity.--Jeff Niesel