Too $hort

Some rappers are so secure in their personas that a change ain’t ever going to come. Throw Too $hort in that camp. A pimp to the core, he spends the album opener "Call Her A Bitch” repeating his favourite pet name for hoes. On his 16th album, $hort aligns himself with the hyperkinetic energy of Oakland’s "hyphy” movement. Hyphy is the West coast’s crunk and it shows on club-banger beats ("Blow the Whistle”) prone to self-induced seizures — and that’s a good thing, by the way. An entire song, "Nothing Feels Better,” focuses on fellatio. As an instructional guide it’s funny but suffers from a lack of lyricism. $hort makes up for his microphone inadequacy by allowing triple-X rated lyrics to spill out his mouth. Imagine him as the Eminem of prostitution. If that’s what you love, he never strays too far from the strip club. Plus, long-time pimp aficionados Snoop Dogg, Jazze Pha and David Banner deliver decent guest verses. Still, Blow the Whistle is too moronic to demand your full attention, though to have released 16 albums shows fans have no problem with his longevity.