Some artists wait for their moment. Others create it from scratch. Shorty, formally Shorty On The Mic, is firmly in the latter camp—an emerging voice carving out her own lane and inviting the world to vibe with her evolution. With her debut EP blooming this summer, she’s not just making music—she’s cultivating space for a new generation of dreamers, especially the young girls who dare to go first.
“I’d tell future me to appreciate the wins, ‘cause five years ago, you wanted to be here,” she reflects
That one sentence holds the root of her EP: grounded, reflective, and blooming with intention. This isn’t just a playlist—it’s a garden. Shorty attests, "...I've put the time in to tend to the music and what I wanted to put out." Like summer itself, the project speaks to growth, resilience, and rebirth. Each lyric carries a slice of her truth, and for Shorty, that truth was planted young.
“I knew at 7 that I liked music, but it wasn’t until high school that I knew the stage was where I belong. There was a period where I felt like I was going crazy, ’cause lyrics would just come to me at all times. I picked up the pen and never put it down.”
That passion poured into Stranded, the EP’s hard-hitting opening track.
“I wrote [Stranded] when I graduated college and was living on my own, having to be a grown-up. I missed my Nana and grief was weighing on me, so I just let it out on the page.”
It’s that kind of raw, unfiltered honesty—rooted in memory and emotion—that makes her music land deeper than just the beat. Her sound is legacy-driven, shaped by the women who came before her.
“I grew up on Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Eve. I loved the female empowerment. If they could rock a mic, I could too.”
So it’s no surprise her dream collabs reflect both evolution and excellence: Don Toliver for his vocal flexibility, and the iconic Missy Elliott alongside Timbaland’s signature production for that futuristic edge. Shorty, originally Shorty DooWop, is transparent about the realities behind the scenes.
“The most challenging part is the money. Everything costs, and sometimes it’s not always there. But the most rewarding part...The love I've received since my release. I’m always getting updates that people are streaming. Makes me feel good when people appreciate my art.”
And at the core of it all? Love. ❤️
“Spread love. That’s all we doing.”
More than a performer, Shorty is a movement in motion. A living reminder that when there’s no blueprint, it’s okay to be the one to draw it.
“I want young Black girls to know you can create the things you want to see. Sometimes there won’t be someone to follow, and it’s okay to be the first.”
In a world that often demands perfection, she simply shows up as herself—honest, evolving, and boldly blooming.
🌈 Shorty On The Mic Live at Chesapeake Pride Fest
Sunday June 22, Shorty D will bring her signature sound to Pride Fest 2025 in Chesapeake Virginia speaking raw truth, and radiant energy to a crowd ready for something real. Her performance, set to hit the stage at 12:12 in the afternoon, promises a fusion of beats and boldness, rooted in her own story and echoing the voices of those still finding theirs.
🎶 Now Streaming
Her debut EP—a blooming blend of truth, rhythm, and reflection—is now available on all major platforms.
📲 Follow, Listen, & Leafr a cb
Instagram: @ShortyOTM
🎤 Booking & Press Inquiries
For upcoming shows, bookings, interviews, or appearances, fill out the form below:
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