People were genuinely shocked back in 2019 when the news broke. Too Short, the legendary Bay Area rapper who basically built his entire brand on being the ultimate "player," was a first-time dad at 53. But while the headlines focused on the rap icon finally settling into fatherhood, everyone started asking the same thing: Who is Sue Ivy?
She’s been the woman by his side—off and on—for years. Honestly, in an era where every celebrity relationship is plastered across Instagram for "clout," Sue Ivy and Too Short have managed to do the impossible. They stayed private. Like, really private.
Who Is Sue Ivy?
Let’s get the facts straight because there is a lot of noise out there. Sue Ivy (sometimes spelled Sue Ivey in news reports) isn't just a "celebrity girlfriend." She’s a creative powerhouse in her own right. Based in Los Angeles, she’s a singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. If you look at her professional background, she’s been in the music industry for over a decade.
She doesn't just wait for things to happen. She owns a creative multi-media studio in Riverside, California. It’s called Create in the IE. Basically, she’s providing a space for other artists to do their thing—yoga, dance, photography, you name it. It's refreshing. In a world of influencers, she's actually building infrastructure for the arts.
The Birth of Yani Shaw
In December 2018, Sue Ivy gave birth to their daughter, Yani Shaw. But get this—they kept it a secret for nine months. Most people didn't find out until September 2019. Can you imagine? Being a world-famous rapper and managed to keep a whole human being a secret? That takes some serious coordination.
📖 Related: Lindsay Lohan Leak: What Really Happened with the List and the Scams
- The Dad: Todd Anthony Shaw (Too Short).
- The Mom: Sue Ivy.
- The Daughter: Yani Shaw.
- The Timing: Born late 2018, announced late 2019.
Too Short eventually opened up about it because he was filming a documentary/reality project with Ray J and manager David Weintraub. The show was intended to follow these high-profile dads as they navigated raising daughters. It was a pivot. A huge one.
The Evolution of Too Short
You can't talk about Sue Ivy without talking about the shift in Too Short’s life. This is a guy who has been active in hip-hop since 1983. He's one of the few who worked with both 2Pac and Biggie. His lyrics were... well, they weren't exactly about diaper changes and nursery rhymes.
When Sue Ivy entered the picture more permanently, the "player for life" narrative started to crack. Not in a bad way, but in a "growth" way. He’s been a mentor at Youth UpRising in Oakland for years, so he always had a community-minded side. But having a daughter with Sue changed the lens. He’s mentioned in interviews that he wanted to be present. He didn't want to be the "old dad" who wasn't there.
A Creative Partnership?
It’s not just a romantic thing. Sue Ivy is a credited songwriter and artist. She’s worked with Empire and, obviously, has ties to Too Short’s musical world. On platforms like SoundBetter, she’s listed as a top-line writer and vocalist.
👉 See also: Kaley Cuoco Tit Size: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Transformation
She's got that R&B and neo-soul vibe. She released a debut album called I Am Su Ivey around 2024, which was a huge moment for her as an independent artist. She engineers her own music. She mixes. She’s hands-on. It makes sense why they’d get along; they both speak the language of the studio.
Why the Privacy Matters
The "on-again, off-again" label gets thrown around a lot by TMZ and other tabloids. But honestly? That might just be how they navigate the chaos of the industry. By not being a "public couple" in the traditional sense, they protected their daughter.
There are plenty of "Sue Ivys" in the world—people who are doing the work behind the scenes and don't feel the need to be the center of a TikTok drama. She seems focused on her studio and her music.
Common Misconceptions
People often confuse her with other famous "Ivys." For example:
✨ Don't miss: Dale Mercer Net Worth: Why the RHONY Star is Richer Than You Think
- Ivy Ross: A huge executive at Google. Not the same person.
- Taylor Swift's "Ivy": Fans often link the name to a song about Emily Dickinson and her sister-in-law, Sue. Total coincidence.
- Sue Ivey (The Physician): There’s a Dr. Susan Ivey at UC Berkeley. Also not the same person.
Our Sue Ivy is the one from the Inland Empire. The one making beats and raising a daughter with an Oakland legend.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creatives
If you’re following Sue Ivy’s journey or just curious about how she and Too Short make it work, there are some real-world lessons here.
- Privacy is a Choice: You don't have to post your relationship to make it real. In fact, keeping it offline might be the secret to longevity in the spotlight.
- Diversify Your Skills: Sue isn't just a singer. She’s an engineer and a business owner. If you’re in the creative arts, learn the technical side. It gives you control.
- Community Building: Her studio, Create in the IE, shows that success is better when you bring others along.
- Parenthood Changes the Game: Even for a "player," family can be a catalyst for a totally new career chapter.
Sue Ivy and Too Short are still doing their thing. Whether they're "on" or "off" in the eyes of the media doesn't seem to matter much to them. They’re raising a kid and making music. In the end, that's a lot more interesting than a red-carpet photo op.