Digital Underground

Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Digital Underground’s Shock G Three Years Later

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Hip Hop legend Gregory "Shock G" Jacobs

On this date in 2021, Gregory Jacobs aka Shock G of the legendary Digital Underground, passed away in his home in Tampa, Florida. He was 57 years old.

Shock helped co-found DU in 1987, which spawned the career of one of Hip Hop’s most prolific icons to date; Tupac Shakur. Also, Jacobs’ self-created alter ego Humpty Hump made up the classic “Humpty Dance” that helped popularize the group in 1989.

Shock G was found dead in a hotel room and it has been revealed that the hotel manager was the last one to see Shock alive outside of the building the day before he died. When Shock missed his check-out time the next day, the manager became concerned and went to the rapper’s room. The manager found Shock unresponsive and called 911.

According to the report from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, Shock G, died in April from a lethal mixture of of fentanyl, ethanol (alcohol) and methamphetamine.

Shock G was laid to rest in Tampa, Florida following a May 1 funeral service.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Digital Underground’s Shock G Three Years Later first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Digital Underground’s Shock G Three Years Later appeared first on The Source.

Ice Cube Recalls 2Pac Saying He Wanted To Make Music Like N.W.A.

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Ice Cube reflected on meeting 2Pac during a recent appearance on Talib Kweli‘s People’s Party podcast. Appearing alongside E-40 and Too $hort, Cube remarked that 2Pac once said he wanted to make music like N.W.A.

Cube says that he met 2Pac while the late star was still a member of Digital Underground.

“He would always tell me like, you know, ‘This Digital shit is cool, man, but I want to do records like y’all,’” Cube said. “‘Cause where I live at, shit is fucked up. You know what I’m saying? I want to talk about how the shit is.’”

LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 06: Rapper Ice Cube attends Daylight Beach Club at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on May 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Daylight Beach Club)

From there, Cube recalled seeing 2Pac’s career continue to take off until he became one of the most iconic hip-hop artists of all time.

“I was like ok ‘Pac is starting to move up from just being in the background to actually doing some songs then he went solo,” Cube added. “He was like, man I’m going to do my own thing. I still fuck with Digital but I’ma do my own thing.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, I can do the music I want to do.”

2Pac ended up leaving Digital Underground in 1991, the same year he dropped his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now. Over the next several years, he became one of the best-selling musical artists of all time.

Ice Cube recently released a new album with E-40 and Too $hort as members of Mount Westmore. The trio, along with Snoop Dogg, dropped Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort back on December 9, 2022.

Check out Ice Cube’s appearance on People’s Party alongside E-40 and Too $hort below.

[Via]

Too $hort Explains Why He Kept His Friends Away From Tupac

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Too $hort explained how he tried to stray Tupac from bad influences during an appearance on the 85 South Show.

The Oakland rapper broke down how Tupac was a “different” person every single time he saw him. Throughout their relationship, Short explained that ‘Pac’s Zodiac sign as a Gemini became more apparent. “I never saw the same Tupac twice. They always trying to show the image of what Tupac was, and like, bruh, he was always like drastically different. Like most Geminis,” Short said.

NEW YORK – JULY 23: Rapper Tupac Shakur performs onstage at Club Amazon on July 23, 1993 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The legendary rapper revealed said that ‘Pac spent a significant amount of time in Oakland during Digital Underground‘s reign. Still, he wasn’t necessarily the leader of the circles he was tied to. “‘Pac was the lil homie of the crew,” Short explained, citing an old video where Tupac was a background dancer.

“Tupac started coming of age and I looked at him,” Short continued. He described the “So Many Tears” artist as a “real one” who wasn’t going to be punked.

“I was like, ‘I can not bring this n***a around my homies.’ ‘Cause it’s going to be like oil and fire. Like, when Tupac got to L.A., and they let him get around, he was going 10,000 miles an hour.”

“I knew it. I was like, I can not bring this n***a around my homies,” he said. “I literally made a conscious effort to not ever bring Tupac around my — he found his way to Richie Rich… he gave ‘Pac the town but I said, ‘I wouldn’t do it.’”

Short said he didn’t want to feel “that guilt” of introducing Tupac to people that would put him in sticky situations.

Check out the clip below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Fans Of The Walkmen Ordered Their Album On Vinyl But Got Digital Underground’s ‘Sex Packets’ Instead

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The Walkmen Digital Underground
Album covers

The Walkmen’s 2002 breakthrough debut, Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone, turned 20 a couple of weeks ago. It doesn’t seem like that long ago since the Brooklyn band’s seminal indie rock record was released, but here we are. Feel old yet? Well… maybe you will now when you hear about the most random record exchange that happened to unsuspecting fans of The Walkmen recently.

It seems as though people who were looking to secure a piece of this indie rock nostalgia forever were in for a surprise. According to a post on The Walkmen Instagram page, people who received copies of Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone, were actually getting the right record jacket, but the record inside was a copy of Digital Underground’s 1990 weird rap classic, Sex Packets. Here’s what the statement from The Walkmen on the hilarious mix-up read:

“It’s come to our attention that several of you may have received a copy Digital Underground’s “Sex Packets” when you purchased the new vinyl version of “Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone.” Also, you should probably check if you haven’t opened the record. Like the actual record inside the Walkmen cover is the Digital Underground. Anyways, the problem has been fixed (but it was a pretty great record anyway so enjoy) so you can safely buy the album at our store now!”

Based on this message, it’s hilarious to think of how purchasers probably haven’t even opened their copy of the record to find the delightful surprise waiting for them. One of these The Walkmen/Digital Underground mix-up editions seems to become an instant collector’s item too. Either way, The Walkmen have “fixed the glitch,” but maybe Shock G was playing another wild trick from the beyond?

2Pac’s Brother Will Attend Shock G’s Funeral Service

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Late Digital Underground leader Shock G‘s funeral plans are in place. The hip-hop pioneer’s manager has come forward to share details for where the event will happen. 2Pac’s Brother Will Attend Shock G’s Funeral According to reports, the funeral arrangement is officially set to go down in Florida. Along with family, actual Digital Underground group […]

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Digital Underground Rapper Shock G Has Reportedly Died At The Age Of 57

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Getty Image

As the hip-hop community continues to grieve the recent deaths of DMX and Black Rob, they’re unfortunately forced to say goodbye to another well-respected name. Digital Underground rapper Shock G has reportedly passed away at the age of 57. The news was delivered by fellow Digital Underground member Chopmaster J through a post he shared on Instagram.

“34 years ago almost to the day we had a wild idea we can be a hip hop band and take on the world through it all the dream became a reality and the reality became a nightmare for some,” he wrote. “And now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!! #digitalunderground.”

A cause of death has yet to be revealed by anyone close to Shock G. The rapper discovered hip-hop after settling down in Queens, New York following a string of relocations around the East Coast with his family. Years later, he would move to Oakland, California and start the Digital Underground collective with Chopmaster J and the late Kenneth Waters, aka Kenny-K. In 1989, they would sign to Tommy Boy Records, and the year after, they released their highest charting record with “The Humpty Dance.” The group would go on to release six albums together between 1990 and 2008.

Shock G had success as a solo act and producer. In 1993 he produced and guest appeared on Tupac’s breakout single, “I Get Around,” and eventually produced his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now.

You can view the post from Chopmaster J above.

BREAKING: 2Pac Mentor Shock G Reportedly Dead At 57

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The hip-hop world is mourning another massive shocking death. Digital Underground’s Shock G is reportedly dead at the age of 57. BREAKING: 2Pac Mentor Shock G Dies At 57 According to reports, the 90’s legend known for his “Humpty Dance” classic and helping put on late rap icon Tupac Shakur has died. A family member […]

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