Shawty Lo unexpectedly passed away last Wednesday from injuries sustained in a single-car accident that occurred while he was driving home from the club with two women. He was survived by his 11 children, as well as his legacy as a co-founded D4L and a key figure in Atlanta in the mid- to-late-'00s. pushing infectious, radio-friendly snap music in a time when rappers like T.I. had more cache in the city.
Click through the gallery to listen to 10 tracks by which to remember Shawty Lo.
"They Know (Dey Know)"
As the "Dey Know" video demonstrates, Shawty Lo was doing the "Ran off on the plug twice" dance years before Plies popularized it. The lead single off his lone solo album, 2008's Units in the City, "Dey Know" peaked at #31 on the charts and was by far Shawty Lo's biggest solo hit.
"Dunn Dunn"
The artist most commonly affiliated with the Atlanta neighborhood Bankhead is T.I. The second most commonly affiliated with the Atlanta neighborhood Bankhead is Shawty Lo, and on "Dunn Dunn," the second single off Units in the City, he makes clear if his name is not brought up whenever Bankhead is mentioned.
"That's Shawty Lo"
"That's Shawty Lo" is the very essence of what snap music is all about: a hook so simple that little kids know it, and a beat that inspires a visceral desire to snap one's fingers.
Soulja Boy - "Gucci Bandana" feat. Gucci Mane & Shawty Lo
On "Gucci Bandana," Shawty Lo's depraved whisper balanced out Gucci Mane's trap house bark and Soulja Boy's teenage swagger. They ride around with a droptop equipped with butterfly doors, which at the time had seemingly surpassed the wheel as the greatest invention ever.
"Supplier" feat. Trey Songz & Lil Wayne
An underrated snap banger, "Supplier" features one of Shawty's most inspired vocal performances of of his career, Trey Songz doing his best Akon impression, and Lil Wayne circa Tha Carter III. "Park my Lambo in your heart / and when it comes to supplies, call me Mr. WalMart."
"Foolish" (Remix) feat. DJ Khaled, Birdman, Rick Ross, & Jim Jones
DJ Khaled's possession of the Best Hype Man In The Game title belt dates back to when he held Fat Joe's umbrella in the "Make It Rain" video. He is at the height of his powers on the "Foolish" remix, as he gasses up the quartet of Birdman, Rick Ross, & Jim Jones as if he were Vince Lombardi giving a pre-game pep talk.
Gucci Mane - "Throwing Rubberbands" feat. Shawty Lo & Sean P
Though "Throwing Rubberbands" celebrates Gucci and Shawty's immense wealth, it has the feeling of a rise and grind anthem. Gucci and Shawty weren't finished... they were just getting started.
D4L - "I'm Da Man"
Shawty Lo seems most comfortable rapping the third verse, but on "I'm Da Man" he comes out guns blazing, setting the tone with a remorseless hook and first verse. "Got no wife but the white be my girlfriend."
"I'm Da Man" eventually received a remix from Rick Ross, Yung Joc, & Lil Wayne.
"Atlanta, GA" feat. Gucci Mane, & Ludacris, & The-Dream
"Atlanta, GA" is a triumphant Atlanta anthem, an ode the sprawling Southern metropolis testament to the sheer breadth of hip hop music that emerges from its various corners. Shawty Lo seems inspired, rather than intimidated, by the presence of big-name rappers, and on "Atlanta, GA" he is even more unflappable than usual.
D4L - "Laffy Taffy"
Shawty Lo never actually rapped on "Laffy Taffy," the D4L smash that went #1 in early 2006. His 2007 interview with Billboard offers insight: “Basically my role was like that of Baby from Cash Money," he said. "I got some street finances and made the group and the label happen, I put a verse down here and there, but that was it."