Just weeks after being inducted as part of this year’s class of VH1 Hip-Hop Honorees, West Coast pioneer Too Short has revealed his latest project.
The veteran of nearly 30 years has assembled an eclectic team of musicians to form his new group Town Bizness.
Town Bizness consists of Short, fellow Oakland natives Silk E and Elijah Baker, and singer Martin Luther.
If the group’s first single “Red Bull & Vodka” is any indication, Town Bizness will be a total departure from what Too Short has delivered to fans over the course of his career.
The song, a Parliament Funkadelic inspired, rock-infused up-tempo number, is garnering an early buzz among critics and internet listeners.
“The group is a combination of artists, musicians, writers and producers united under the love of making good music,” explained Too Short, who plans on releasing the experimental project through his Up All Night Records imprint.
Each of the crew’s primary members brings along a varied musical background. Bassist and vocalist Elijah Baker is one of the founding members of popular 90s R&B group Tony! Toni! Tone!
In addition to his work with the group, Baker has enjoyed success as a studio musician and arranger, working with the likes of Alicia Keys, Tha Dogg Pound, The Coup, Stic.Man and even Club Nouveau.
He is said to be working on a solo project as well.
After garnering a critical accolades as part of the first wave of the Neo Soul movement in the late 90s, singer Martin Luther has collaborated extensively with The Roots and fellow genre-bending soul singer Cody ChesnuTT.
As an actor, using his full name Martin Luther McCoy, the young performer was one of six lead characters in the 2007 Golden Globe winning Beatles musical Across The Universe.
Luther also lent his talents as a singer and guitarist to the film’s soundtrack.
He is currently working on his third studio solo album, Serial Thriller, a follow up to his 2004 sophomore release Rebel Soul Music.
Rapper and singer Silk E has also toured and performed with The Coup.
Of course, Too Short brings the most experience to the group, with seventeen studio albums under his belt, fourteen of which were released since he joined the roster at Jive Records 20 years ago.
He has also collaborated with every one from Ant Banks to Bun B to the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, E-40, Lil Jon, Foxy Brown and even D4L.
He was celebrated on October 2 alongside Slick Rick, De La Soul, Cypress Hill and Naughty by Nature during the fifth annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
