Shock G, emcee, producer, and co-founder of the ’90s hip-hop group Digital Underground, has died, according to the group’s Chopmaster J and TMZ. Shock G played a pivotal role in West Coast hip-hop and introduced the world to Tupac Shakur as well. He was responsible for 2pac’s breakthrough single “I Get Around”, and co-producer of 2pac’s debut album “2Pacalypse Now”.
“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,” Chopmaster J wrote in the IG caption for a photo of him and Shock G. “And now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!! #digitalunderground 😔.”
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Shock G, born Gregory Jacobs in New York, started Digital Underground with Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright and radio DJ Kenneth “Kenny K” Waters in the Bay Area in 1987. Their debut album, Sex Packets, was released in 1990. “The Humpty Dance”, which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1990, was the group’s most lauded song. The group is also famous for tracks like “Same Song” and “Kiss You Back”, both of which appear on the group’s 1991 offering, This Is An E.P. Release. 2pac also got his start as a background dancer for Digital Underground.
Shock G worked steadily over the decades with the likes of Prince, Dr. Dre, KRS-One, Luniz, and others. His final album with Digital Underground was 2008’s ..Cuz a D.U. Party Don’t Stop! In 2004, Shock G issued his only official solo album, Fear of a Mixed Planet.
RIP SHOCK G.