It was released in 1988 via Dangerous Music and re-released in 1989[1] through Jive Records.

It appeared as a Dangerous Music/RCA Records release until Jive Records logos appeared on the release on October 25, 1990, after it became successful.

It is currently his highest-selling album to date, being certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 2 million copies.

"Don't Fight the Feelin'" samples the 1982 One Way song of the same name.

In 2022, Rolling Stone included Life Is... Too Short on their list of "The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time", at No.