Dem Vinyl Boyz EP 102 - Too Short - Born to Mack

In this episode of Dem Vinyl Boyz, we take a deep dive into the gritty, bass-heavy sounds of Too $hort’s influential 1987 album Born to Mack. As one of the pioneering voices of West Coast hip-hop, Too $hort used this album to cement his place as a streetwise storyteller, bringing Oakland’s unique flavor to the broader hip-hop scene.

Born to Mack is packed with raw, unapologetic tracks that introduced the world to Too $hort’s signature style, combining explicit lyrics with funky beats and a laid-back flow. With hits like "Freaky Tales" and "Dope Fiend Beat," this album captures the essence of late 80s West Coast rap and showcases Too $hort’s knack for delivering narratives that are equal parts gritty and humorous.

Throughout this episode, we’ll explore the creation of Born to Mack, discussing how Too $hort’s independent hustle, entrepreneurial spirit, and underground success led to this album becoming a major-label release. We’ll also break down the cultural impact of this project, examining how it influenced not only West Coast hip-hop but also the blueprint for independent rap artists in the years that followed.

Join us on Dem Vinyl Boyz as we celebrate Born to Mack, an album that stands as a testament to Too $hort’s longevity, innovation, and contribution to the evolution of hip-hop.

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For decades, people who enjoyed music on vinyl records instead of CDs or MP3s were considered dinosaurs. While we like moving at 33 RPM, the rest of the world rushed and went to digital. Not only did vinyl refuse to die but demand is at its highest since at least 1991. It's a good thing Dem Vinyl Boyz saved all their records from back in the day. Because, now we have the biggest collection of 12-inch records on the radio.  Dem Vinyl Boyz love the joy of sliding a classic album out of its cover; the crackle of a needle just dropped into a groove; the careful way to pick up and flip a record when a side ends. On the podcast each week we feature a different piece of music history on vinyl record. Dem Vinyl Boyz experience the album front and back, giving you commentary and music facts along the way. Put your ear buds in and let us take you on a musically journey listening to the greatest music of all time and the history of how it became legendary. Dem Vinyl Boyz! Respect The Technique