Rapper LITTLE (of KICK THE CAN CREW) has assembled the hip-hop counterpart of Mini Moni. He has formed a unit called SHORTYS, whose members stand between 150 and 160 centimeters tall (a little over five feet).

LITTLE originally formed the group in 2002 with rappers MICRO (Home Made KAZOKU) and SMALLEST (Torikabuto), quietly continuing their activity in the indie scene. Then last November, SHOGO of rock band 175R asked to join the group. LITTLE accepted him and decided it would be an opportunity to move the group to the forefront.

LITTLE will release a new album called "YES rhyme-dentity" on May 7, his 32nd birthday. One of the feature tracks, "Gradation," was recorded by the four artists last month. They will perform it for the first time on the same day the album goes on sale, as part of LITTLE's 10th anniversary concert at the Ebisu Liquid Room.

Several other musicians, including DOHZI-T and Metis, are also participating on the album and will perform with LITTLE at the anniversary concert.