Shorty are Celeste (vocals), Cisco (MC), DuCane (Vocals/MC), Jim Reynolds (guitar), Dan French (bass), Hudge (DJ), and Charlie Taylor (Drums)
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Influences
The Roots, Led Zeppelin, Jurassic 5. KRS1, RATM, Gangstarr...
so many styles, so much to play with...
Sounds Like
"Led Zep meets The Fugees." Xpression FM
"Frankly inspirational..." M8 Magazine
“A big band destined for big things. Think a much heavier Brand New Heavies if you will, but with hip-hop sensibilities firmly to the fore. Live is where they thrive, so when the offer comes make sure you grab a little slice of the good life.” Hip Hop Connection
"Their sound and vibe is akin to a fusion of Public Enemy and Arrested Development, with a rather funky edge. Shorty are by far the best band I have had the pleasure of seeing this year." Josaka.com
"Skilful, vivacious and downright funky. Uplifting." Gigwise.com
“The UK's finest live hip-hop outfit” The Half Moon, London
"Shorty are currently defining UK hip hop ...this seven-headed live funk army will have you dancing like a loon as they blend a sound that echoes the Gap Band, Jurassic 5, The Roots and Led Zeppelin." Notion magazine.
"...thick beats and colossal riffs. I've never seen a band enjoy themselves and smile so much. And it's infectious. Catch them live and leave uplifted." BBC Berkshire
"Shorty's hip-hop sound was sledgehammer tight, deftly mixing the right ingredients to reach back through Grandmaster Flash to Sly Stone's rockier era." Venue magazine
"Incendiary." The Joiners, Southampton.
Heavy, energetic, organic?
A messy, beautiful fusion?
Ask Shorty to describe their sound and the band throw out a barrage of descriptives. However, its drummer Charlie who adds On our own, which draws nods of agreement from the group who are not only the UKs premier hip hop band, but also a nationally acclaimed live phenomenon. Along with The Roots and the now defunct Stetsasonic, Shorty are a seven piece hip hop band with a sound that bounces from funk to rock in a showstopping style.
Shorty is already a well established name to those in the know on the UK live scene. Winners of the Diesel-U-Music Hip Hop Award 2002 (which currently resides on DuCanes mantelpiece) and London winners of the liveanduncut music awards, Shorty have already appeared on MTV and MTV Base, BBC, ITV, Sky and in an international advertising campaign with Pepsi Cola.
The eclectic Shorty sound amalgamates the bands mixed upbringings and influences. From Led Zeppelin and RATM to Gangstarr, Stevie Wonder, Biggie, Jay Z and A Tribe Called Quest, to Lauryn Hill, Sly And The Family Stone, Larry Graham and Fela Kuti, the seven headed army as Cisco dubs them, all bring their own influences to the table. Comparisons are already being made with Jurassic 5, The Roots and N.E.R.D. The end result is a joyous mix of feelgood beats, foot stomping hooks and jaw dropping lyrical skills.
Live is where they thrive and after honing both their onstage and studio sound, they are ready to unleash their unique style to the world. Fresh and innovative, this collective playfully mutate genres with immediate and energetic results. Recently signed to Gravy Management, the next year is a heady rush of recording, gigs and festivals. The band are also currently working on a mixtape for online release.
Shorty will throw your record collection and preconceptions into a blender and take you on a journey through East coast hip hop, Philly soul, New York jazz, and West Coast funk and end up with an intrinsically UK sound openminded and experimental, fearless and feelgood.
well hello there! long time no see... good to hear you're still going strong. so when are you getting me and frank back in for some horn work then?! ;) stay filthy x
