Shock G, Digital Underground Rap Pioneer, Passes Away At 57: Report

BY Erika Marie 8.9K Views
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Shock G, Digital Underground, Humpty Hump, RIP, Death
The Rap icon, real name Greg Jacobs, also known by his alter ego Humpty Hump, is being memorialized by artists and fans.

In the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Digital Underground always got the party started. Even today, once "The Humpty Dance," "Same Song," or Tupac Shakur's "I Get Around" plays on the speakers, it's difficult not to run to the dancefloor. Digital Underground—founded by Chopmaster J, Kenny-K, and Shock G—was a worldwide sensation prior to social media apps and viral buzz. At the time, they were one of the more fun-loving, yet controversial collectives on the scene, and later, they would go on to add several members including Pee Wee, Money-B, and Tupac Shakur who acted as a Digital Underground backup dancer early in his career.

On Thursday (April 22), Chopmaster J shocked the Hip Hop world when he shared a post on Instagram with the devastating news that Shock G, also known by his alter ego Humpty Hump, had passed away at 57.

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"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 caption. "And now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!! #digitalunderground."

Reactions to this sad news have been met with stunned reactions, especially on the heels of losing other Hip Hop legends like DMX and Black RobTMZ reports that Shock G's father, Edward Packer, confirmed the news and added that the rapper was found unresponsive in a Tampa hotel room. A cause of death will be determined once an autopsy is completed.

Long Live Shock G. Rest in peace to a legend. Check out a few responses below.

 

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.