Renowned hip hop icon Too $hort, known by many as the "Godfather" of Bay Area hip hop, will be performing at Chris Webber’s Center Court Friday night in Natomas. The show was arranged by Everett Hunter Presents and will include appearances by guest DJs MP 3, Reese Roundtree and Steve DTrix.

The multi-platinum artist began his career on the streets of East Oakland during his early teens, selling $5 cassette recordings of his work. He gained widespread acclaim in the hip hop scene with the success of Born to Mack, released in 1986 on his independent label Dangerous Music. The album was later re-released on the Jive Records label and went gold, selling more than 500,000 copies.

He has released more than 16 albums altogether, including Short Dog’s in the House, Shorty the Pimp and Get in Where You Fit In, all of which made platinum status, selling more than one million copies per album. His other albums, including Can't Stay Away, You Nasty, Chase the Cat and What's my Favorite Word made gold.

"He's someone [that] pretty much everyone has grown up with," said EHP director of promotions Audrey Bernard.

His famous hits include “Life Is…Too Short,” “The Ghetto,” “Cocktales” and “Gettin’ It.”

Too $hort has worked collaboratively with artists such as Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Scarface, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Lil Jon.

His 2006 release Blow the Whistle, co-produced by Lil Jon and Jazze Pha, reached No. 14 on Billboard 200. In 2008 he was honored by VH1 at the annual Hip Hop Honors.

Center Court is located at 3600 N. Freeway Blvd. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and admission is 21 and over.

Tickets can be purchased for $20 as late as 7 p.m. Friday evening — contact Audrey Bernard at (916) 289-9104.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 after 10:30 p.m. at Center Court.

Backstage VIP passes can be purchased prior to event or at the venue for $35.

Image provided by Everett Hunter Presents.