Bay Area rap legend Too Short has recently suffered an inconceivable loss as his older brother, Wayne Shaw, was shot and killed in Oakland on Wednesday morning. According to local authorities, the shooting occurred on the 1200 block of 49th Avenue near East 12th Street. Shaw, 61, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
While the exact circumstances remain unclear, Oakland police believe Shaw was operating a marijuana grow house at the time of the attack. Investigators suspect the shooters attempted to force their way in, prompting Shaw to try and escape. It was during this confrontation that he was fatally shot. Authorities are considering robbery as a possible motive, though no arrests have been made.
Too Short has not yet publicly commented on the tragedy, but his deep ties to his family have long been evident. In 2022, he shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram featuring a photo of himself with his mother and brother, captioning it, “1970s were amazing. You had to be there. That’s me, moms & big bro Wayne Loc.”
Beyond his music career, Too Short has frequently spoken about the importance of family and unity. In a past interview with Complex, he emphasized his love for his heritage, saying, “I love my Blackness, I love my family—on my mother’s side and my father’s side. We have every complexion: light, curly, dark, everything. You can’t have blood in your body that makes you better than someone else. You can’t be born of better parents or better breeding—it’s no such thing.”
Too Short has also been vocal about the harsh realities of violence in Oakland, a theme that has echoed throughout his music. His seminal 1988 album, Life Is… Too Short, includes haunting reflections on the struggles of street life, with lyrics like, “So much death in the Oakland streets / Am I gonna live ‘til next week?”
At 61, Wayne Shaw was at an age rarely seen in Hip Hop circles that have been deeply impacted by violence. Too Short has often spoken about the privilege of aging in the music industry, telling Billboard, “We’re making a statement for hip-hop and encouraging the 25-year-old out there to rap for the rest of their life if they want to.”
As the investigation continues, Too Short and his family undoubtedly mourn this heartbreaking loss. Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
