SHOCK G, 1963-2021
Greg Jacobs, the rapper who led Digital Underground under the name Shock G, died Thursday at a hotel in Tampa, Fla. He was 57.
Known for the 1990 hit "The Humpty Dance," he and his group envisioned themselves as a rap version of George Clinton’s Parliament, mixing jazz and funk riffs with group vocals and other funk-group elements, including tight-yet-easygoing drumbeats. Shock G was the ringmaster, delighting all with his nasal baritone, old-school flow and highly comedic presence.
Bootsy Collins posted on Facebook: "He helped keep P Funk Alive!"
An early ‘90s MTV mainstay, Jacobs stood out by adding a visual element to his nerdy Humpty Hump character, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, a fur hat, suit and tie and a signature fake nose. Goofy as it was, Jacobs also gave the character a player’s edge—"I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom"—that imparted a broad appeal. His other incarnations included MC Blowfish, ButtaFly and Peanut Hakeem.
Shock G grew up mostly in Tampa but set up shop in Oakland, Calif., where Digital Underground was formed with Chopmaster J and Kenny-K in 1987. Over the next 30 years, the group would have more than 30 members, among them a young Tupac Shakur, who appeared on This Is an EP Release and Sons of the P, which was nominated for a Grammy.
When 2Pac went solo, Shock G appeared on his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now, and produced and rapped a verse on 1993’s “I Get Around.”
Besides "The Humpty Dance," featured on DU's million-selling debut, Sex Packets (Tommy Boy)—"Dance" was also a Grammy nominee—their only other Top 20 song was 1992's “Kiss You Back.”
Digital Underground called it quits after six albums. Shock G went on to release a solo album, 2004's Fear of a Mixed Planet, make dozens of guest appearances on record and perform with George Clinton and P-Funk.
He is already very much missed.
Man .... Shock G what a tough loss at such a precarious time. Brilliant beyond ...such a beautiful free mind Brother. #RestinBeats my man . #Doowhatchalike #DUforever
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 23, 2021
RIP Shock G. Thanks for the joy you gave me. Rest well 🙏🏿💛 pic.twitter.com/U9DedgoEcz
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 23, 2021
Plus I totally forgot Shock G does the second verse on I Get Around and MADE THE BEAT. jeez. salute pic.twitter.com/ueEnqXvkwO
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) April 23, 2021
Damn. Fiona Apple just hit & told me this cool story about her pushing a cart in the Home Depot parking lot, & saw Shock G (97) & both were mutual fans (DU was her 1st rap purchase/He would spin “Never Is A Promise”at gigs) they would email/exchange lyrics to each other. 😥
— B.R.O.theR. ?uestion (@questlove) April 23, 2021
