Jump to content

Digital Underground

From Alfawiki
Digital Underground
IndustryMusic
Founded1987
FounderGregory "Shock G" Jacobs, Kenneth "Kenny-K" Waters, Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright
Headquarters
Oakland, California
,
United States
ProductsHip-hop music, albums, singles

Digital Underground is a hip-hop ensemble originating from Oakland, California, known for its alternative style within the genre.

The group was established in 1987 by Gregory "Shock G" Jacobs—also known as Humpty Hump—alongside Tampa-based DJ Kenneth "Kenny-K" Waters and Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright from Berkeley. Drawing heavy inspiration from 1970s funk music, their sound frequently incorporated samples from this era. Under the pseudonym "Rackadelic," Jacobs crafted album artwork and liner notes influenced by the aesthetic of Parliament-Funkadelic. Digital Underground is recognized for launching the career of Tupac Shakur and for spawning side projects such as Raw Fusion, Saafir, Gold Money (Pee-Wee & Bigg Money Odis), and vocalist Mystic.

Following their 1989 release "Doowutchyalike," the group achieved widespread acclaim with 1990’s hit single "The Humpty Dance." Their extensive touring schedule continued through 2008, covering regions including Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Although rooted in Oakland and Berkeley, the collective featured a diverse lineup of collaborators from both the U.S. and the UK. Shock G and Money-B contributed to every album, with significant input from David "DJ Fuze" Elliot and producer Jeremy "J-Beats" Jackson, both of whom played crucial roles in shaping the band’s distinctive sound.

Despite Shock G’s passing in 2021, Digital Underground remains active in live performances.

Origins

Gregory Jacobs spent much of his early life between Tampa, Florida and New York City. When formed in 1987, the group initially adopted a militant image as an homage to social activists like The Black Panthers. However, as groups such as N.W.A and Public Enemy rose to prominence, Jacobs transitioned the group's persona toward a lighter, more playful tone.

Sex Packets

The debut album Sex Packets was released in early 1990 after two singles that had already gained traction. The track "Doowutchyalike", which saw moderate success in clubs, came out the previous year. It was followed by "The Humpty Dance", a comedic dance number that climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, reached No. 7 on the R&B chart, and secured the top position on the Billboard Rap Singles chart. Performed by Shock G’s alter ego Humpty Hump, it featured a drum pattern that became widely sampled in other music. Sex Packets blended elements of P-Funk sampling, jazz-influenced interludes, and live instruments, garnering favorable critical reception and achieving platinum certification.

This Is an EP Release

The group's second project, This Is an EP Release, earned RIAA Gold status and included tracks like "Tie the Knot" and "Same Song", both featured in the movie Nothing But Trouble. "Tie The Knot" incorporates jazzy piano elements alongside a humorous reinterpretation of the "Bridal Chorus". Meanwhile, "Same Song" combines live organ solos with sampled sounds, representing one of hip hop’s earliest successful blends of live instrumentation with sampling techniques. This release also marked the debut of Tupac Shakur, who appeared as an African monarch in the accompanying video. He contributed background vocals and ad-libs on remixes and began performing on stage as a dancer and hype man.

Sons of the P

The group's second full-length album yielded two singles: "No Nose Job" and "Kiss You Back". The latter track featured layered choruses performed by Boni Boyer, who briefly collaborated with Digital Underground following her work with Prince. Although the music video depicts a choir, Boni provided all the background vocals in the studio, except for the male parts. Despite frequent misattributions crediting George Clinton as a co-writer and performer on "Kiss You Back," his name appears solely because of a sample from Funkadelic's "(Not Just) Knee Deep". Clinton did contribute vocals and songwriting to the album’s title track, "Sons of the P", marking one of his earliest guest spots on a hip hop record. Both the album and the single "Kiss You Back" achieved Gold certification from the RIAA.

The Body-Hat Syndrome

The lead single "The Return of the Crazy One," accompanied by its edited-for-radio X-rated video, received positive acclaim, helping The Body-Hat Syndrome attain moderate commercial success. The politically themed second single, "Wussup Wit the Luv," featured guitarist Michael Hampton from Funkadelic and included a verse and video appearance by Tupac Shakur—his final contribution to any Digital Underground project. This album also introduced new lead rappers Saafir and Clee. Additionally, it contains "The Humpty Dance Awards," a playful homage to artists who sampled "The Humpty Dance" prior to 1993.

Future Rhythm

Future Rhythm, Digital Underground’s fourth studio album and first independent release, featured two tracks included in the Wayans brothers’ film Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: "Food Fight," which includes Del tha Funkee Homosapien, and "We Got More," featuring Luniz. The album also highlights an early appearance by rapper Sly Boogy—then part of Black Spooks—on the song "Fool Get a Clue."

Who Got the Gravy?

Issued in 1998, eight years following their debut, Who Got the Gravy? peaked at number 91 on the Top 200 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. This release deliberately showcased notable East Coast rappers such as Big Pun, Biz Markie, and KRS-One amid the peak of the East vs. West conflict, aiming to mock and diminish tensions between the coasts.

..Cuz A D.U. Party Don't Stop!

Digital Underground’s final studio project, ..Cuz a D.U. Party Don't Stop!, was released on May 20, 2008, with much of its content recorded live during 2005. Shortly before this release, the group entered an indefinite hiatus. Member Money-B revealed that Shock G planned to author a book and pursue musical endeavors beyond Digital Underground.

On May 18, 2010, The Greenlight EP was issued, containing previously unreleased material from Digital Underground.

Albums

EPs

Soundtracks

Compilations

Singles

Music Videos

  • "Doowutchyalike" (1989)
  • "The Humpty Dance" (1990)
  • "Doowutchyalike" (Remixed Video) (1990)
  • "Same Song" (1991)
  • "Kiss You Back" (1991)
  • "No Nose Job" (1992)
  • "Return of the Crazy One" (1993)
  • "Wassup Wit the Luv" (1994)
  • "Oregano Flow" (1996)
  • "Walk Real Kool" (1996)
  • "Wind Me Up" (1998)

DVD Releases

  • Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel: The Life of an Outlaw (2000)
  • Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
  • Digital Underground: Raw and Uncut (2004)
  • One Nation Under a Groove (2005)

External Links

Year Single Highest Chart Positions Album
US US R&B US Dance US Radio AUS NZ NL UK
1988 "Underwater Rimes" — | — | — | — | — | — | — Sex Packets
1989 "Doowutchyalike" — | — | — | — | — | — | 79
1990 "The Humpty Dance" 7 | 20 | — | — | — | — | 80
"Doowutchyalike (Remix) / Packet Man" 29 | — | — | 139 | — | — | —
"Packet Man (The C.J. Mackintosh Remixes)" (Europe only) — | — | — | — | — | — | —
"Freaks of the Industry" (US promo only) — | — | — | — | — | — | —
1991 "Same Song" — | 15 | 61 | — | — | — | 52 This Is An E.P. Release
"Nuttin' Nis Funky" (US only) — | — | — | — | — | — | —
"Kiss You Back" 13 | — | 50 | 97 | 31 | — | — Sons Of The P
1992 "No Nose Job" 28 | — | — | — | — | 42 | —
1993 "The Return of the Crazy One"  77 | — | — | — | — | — | — The "Body-Hat" Syndrome
1994 scope="row" "Wussup Wit The Luv"  99 | — | — | — | — | — | —
1996 scope="row" "Oregano Flow" 75   |—   |—   |—   |—   |-   |-   Future Rhythm
scope="row" "Walk Real Kool" (US only)
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Digital_Underground&oldid=84835"