Too $hort rose to fame in the 1980s rocking Oakland A's gear. The legendary rapper later backed the Raiders and Golden State Warriors proudly. Now the Hip-Hop icon has caught Ballhalla fever, thanks to the Golden State Valkyries run toward the WNBA title.
He hopes the nation doesn't “blow the whistle” on the growing fandom for the Valkyries either. Even with the franchise now down 2-1 in the WNBA Finals against the Angel Reese led Atlanta Dream.
The 60-year-old born Todd Anthony Shaw sat down exclusively with ClutchPoints during Golden State's first-ever championship run. The native of Oakland is loving the fact another victory parade could go down in the Bay Area if the Valkyries recover from their Wednesday Game 3 defeat.
How Too $hort ‘caught the bug' with the Valkyries
Shaw popularized a green A's Starter jacket with a gold chain during his music videos. But recently he rocked the black and purple Valkyries jersey while hyping up the Chase Center crowd.
He even got to beat the drum to energize the Ballhalla fan base.
Bay Area legend Too Short sounds the drum before tonight's WNBA Finals matchup in San Francisco 🥁
Game 2 between the Dream & the Valkyries is LIVE on USA Network & Peacock! pic.twitter.com/4j5JG3lpzI
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026
Furthermore, Valkyries star Gabby Williams shouted out the rapper during a Sept. 2026 interview while the team began putting together their title pursuit.
The rap icon and beloved Bay Area resident already watched the Warriors, A's, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and the Raiders as Oakland create victory parades. He didn't mince words with ClutchPoints about what he hopes for the Valkyries.
“We love to have a parade and go on a run,” he told ClutchPoints. “I had heard about the Valkyries selling out the stadium, but I had to go out there to see what it was. And I caught the bug.”
He even owns a house in Las Vegas, where the Aces have ignited a buzz for their success. Yet Shaw loves how Natalie Nakase has sprinkled the championship pedigree from the Aces over to his new favorite team, as she spent 2022 to 2024 with the Aces. But Nakase isn't just installing the Aces' blueprint during this Valkyries run. Shaw notices that this WNBA team takes on a blue collar identity, mirroring past title winning teams that leaned into the Bay's edgy, fiery persona.
“They're definitely adapting to their environment of the Bay Area,” Shaw said. “Players do that and on the other side, the fans have become invested in the individual players and they know their names. Like when there's a substitution, they know who's coming in [to make an impact].”
Ballhalla creating environment that mirrors famed NFL fanbase
The man who created hits “Gettin' It,” “Freaky Tales,” and his stadium anthem “Blow the Whistle” saw how fiery Bay fanbases get for their teams. Especially more recently the “Strength in Numbers” the Warriors leaned into during their four championships run.
Ballhalla is rising as one of the louder WNBA fanbases, which got the rapper believing it mirrors a famed NFL fanbase that celebrated a recent title.
“Ballhalla is sort of like the Seattle Seahawks with their 12th man,” he said. “It's the same exact environment too that Oracle had when the Warriors won championships over there. The fans really effect the game and a lot of energy goes through the whole team. It's a really great sports story, period especially being from the Bay.”
Article Continues BelowToo $hort remains hopeful for his other teams
The avid sports fan is helping lead the celebrity charge in rallying around the Valkyries. But he remains hopeful things can turn around for his Warriors and Raiders.
The former took a brutal 127-105 loss to a now Luka Doncic-led Los Angeles Lakers. But Shaw says “I'm looking forward to seeing the Warriors surprise people.” Especially in sticking with names like Steph Curry, Draymond Green and adding national champion from Michigan Yaxel Lendeborg via the draft.
He also likes how the Raiders are bringing Fernando Mendoza up slowly but cautiously, feeling that this approach in learning from Kirk Cousins will make the rookie quarterback more dangerous down the road.
But right now, his sports focus is trying to pour into the WNBA's fastest growing crowd out in his home region.
“I hope that the numbers start to grow and that Ballhalla can create similar fanbases like that,” he said.