Who were the Digital Underground members?
SHOCK G, the rap legend known for providing the lead vocals for the popular alternative hip-hop group, Digital Underground, has died.
Known for their popular nineties hit The Humpty Dance and for launching the career of Tupac Shakur, the group and its ever-changing members disbanded in 2008- but who were the founding members and where are they now?
Who were the Digital Underground members?
Gregory 'Shock G' Jacobs
Shock G, born Gregory Jacobs in August 1963, was a rapper and producer.
The late star, also known as Humpty Hump, was best known for being the frontman and co-founder of Digital Underground in 1987.
Humpty Hump was known for his large, comical, Groucho Marx style fake nose & nasal voice.
A fictional biography was constructed for Humpty, the story being that Edward Ellington Humphrey III, former lead singer of Smooth Eddie And The Humpers, had become a rapper after burning his nose in a kitchen accident with a deep-fryer
Shock G was the lead vocalist of the group but the other members rotated on a regular basis and even included the legendary Tupac Shakur.
Shock G was featured on Shakur's song I Get Around and also helped produce his 1991 album 2Pacalyse Now.
The star passed away in his hotel room at the age of 57 on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
His cause of death is currently unknown, with his father planning to conduct an autopsy.
Jimi 'Chopmaster J' Dright
Born Jimi C. Dright Jr in Berkeley, California, Chopmaster J, is a drummer who co-founded Digital Underground.
Chopmaster J who also went by the alter ego, Big brutha, was known for possessing the earliest recordings of Tupac.
Digital Underground started out by frequently sampling the music of 70s funk bands that Dright was influenced by in his youth- a style that became a defining element of the West Coast rap genre.
In November 2016, Chopmaster J announced he was releasing some classic Tupac memorabilia in his possession through an eBook.
Dright was the first to confirm his bandmate Shock G's death on April 23, sharing a tribute post in his friend's honour.
He said: “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,”
“Now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!!”
Kenneth 'Kenny-K' Waters
Kenneth Waters, dubbed "Kenny K", was a founder of Digital Underground from Tampa, Florida.
He was a radio DJ for the Florida-based station, WMNF.
Waters was known in the Tampa area for playing a style of hip-hop music from New York, rather than the Miami bass style that was popular in Florida.
Waters performs vocals on the songs "The Danger Zone" and "Hip Hop Doll" from the 1990 Digital Underground album Sex Packets.
In 1993, the DJ required a liver transplant, however, due to his lack of health insurance, he did not make the waiting list for organ donors.
Kenny-K subsequently passed away on February 5, 1994.
Other stars
Digital Underground's personnel constantly changed with Shock G as a constant.
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2Pac began his career with them and other famous rappers included DJ Fuze, Money-B and Stretch.
Their biggest hit was The Humpty Dance in 1990.
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