In what seems almost like a cruel joke, another Hip Hop legend has passed away. Nearly two weeks after DMX suffered a fatal heart attack and five days after former Bad Boy Records rapper Black Rob suffered the same fate, Digital Underground rapper Shock G has also died.
Digital Underground co-founder Chopmaster J confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Thursday night (April 22).
“34 years ago almost to the day we had a wild idea we can be a hip hop band take on the world,” he wrote. “through it all the dream became a reality and the reality became a nightmare for some. And now he’s awaken from the fame long live Shock G AKA Humpy Hump and Rest in Peace my brotha Greg Jacobs!!!”
Founded in Oakland, California during the late 1980s, Digital Underground was perhaps best known for the 1990 Sex Packets single “The Humpty Dance,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Singles chart. But they also introduced a young Tupac Shakur to the world when they recruited him to be their backup dancer on several tours.
In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Shock G talked about their time together, saying, “He was on TNT Records [with us] for four years. He was with Death Row for nine months. So do the math. He did five tours with us, including Japan. Over those three or four years that he was around us, we did a lot of touring and a lot of living together on the tour bus and that’s how we know the man.”
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While Shock G will forever be remembered as the guy rocking the fake nose, sunglasses and fury white hat, he will also go down in history as one of Oakland Hip Hop’s most successful exports. But as JAY-Z producer Young Guru wrote in a tribute post, he was so much more than just the funny dude in “The Humpty Dance” video.
“Please understand that Shock G was so much more than a character,” he wrote. “He was a musical genius!! I wish he got a chance to do something like drink champs. He was a serious musician. Played instruments, changed a sound, introduced 2Pac!!! So underrated!!”
Naturally, Twitter is exploding with reactions to the latest Hip Hop death. From Pharoahe Monch and Evidence to Statik Selektah and El-P, there’s no shortage of tributes flowing in for the late MC. HipHopDX sends our condolences to Shock G’s loved ones.
Damn, we losing all the legends in 2021. Rest In Peace Shock G (Humpty Dance In Peace)
Wow.. Another legend gone.. RIP Shock G
Damn RIP
RIP Shock!
no he has gone to live with 2pac in malaysia. R.i.p.
Rest In Power
RIP to the brother. Hip hop was so much fun back then. Just think that Pac came out of that camp and rocked the world.
Wtf Is going on? Why so many rappers dying? This s#it crazy! Rip.
back in the days…and this was years after D.U. came out …some dumbells were still thinkin humpty and shock were two different people lol…
RIP Shock G….and pac was yo roadie/weed carrier at one time…legend
RIP Shock, say hi to Pac.
Rip Shock G a real legend in hip hop. If y’all didn’t know he is responsible for giving 2pac his first shot a being a rapper and essentially got him his start. Man, may the rap Gods stop all these passings smh.
RIP Shock G. Hold your breath mc’s my rimes underwater. Favourite Digital Underground song.
Damn, we lost a true legend today. Thank you for everything you gave the world King. My deepest condolences to the family and friends. RIP
I pray it wasn’t the stupid mRNA vaccine that took him out
You already know it was though.
Damn, that sucks. Everyone’s dealt a death sentence the moment their born. Enjoy the ride while it lasts. Peace.
RIP Shock…Digital was one of the livest crews of the 90’s. So many great spin offs / affiliates from Digi…Thug Life…Live Squad…Raw Fusion…Above The Law…Naughty…Outlawz…Golden State Warriorz (Saafir)…the list goes on. Never will be anotha Humpty Hump. A truly unique icon has passed and thank you so much for the high skool memories back in 91 listenin to Humpty Dance and Same Song. Much Luv to the Family Of The Underground. Peace 2 all the crew and neva forget… LIVEHOWYALIKE !!! Don’t pull apart in 2021 people…come togetha and be positive y’all
RIP…as someone stated, highly underrated, one could say he was one of the pioneers of rappers singing on record among other contributions… go do ur homework
Thanks, Shock G.
MF Doom, DMX, Black Rob… now Shock Gzus. WTH is going on. Bad year for Hip Hop legends.
Don’t forget about prince markie dee from the fat boys estascy from whodini
R.I.P. Shock G. One of the most humble artists I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with. Dude was mad cool and down to earth. I worked on a show he did, dude went to the piano at the bar of the hotel the production put him up in, and started playing the piano. He played Sinatra. No joke. People at the bar and hotel thought he worked there and made requests, he played almost all of them. People tipped him and he didn’t say shit like “I don’t work here” or anything. He just thanked them. He gathered all the tips and gave them to the waitress who was bringing him drinks. I hope this story brings a smile to anyone’s face that reads it. He was a special human, and a true musician. Freaks of the Industry is a classic Bay Area slapper, made for 4 15” speakers in the trinco of an old school. You will not be forgotten.
Yo! Thanks for all the likes fam. Please share this story, not on my accord, but for Hank Shocklee. The man who brought Tupac to the world, and who also brought some fun into hip-hop when it was all gangster rap and bullshit R&B.
RIP Shock G…April 22, 2021…….RIP DJ Subroc…April 23, 1993
Meanwhile Drake is still alive and healthy. Old culture vulture never wrote a rhyme in his life ass…
He low key had a heavy drug addiction