Shock G was the leader of the group that brought the world the Humpty Dance and Tupac Shakur. A fun time during what is considered Hip Hop's golden era.
The Hillsborough Medical Examiner, located in Tampa, FL., told CNN Friday that Jacobs' body was in their care and that he had died Thursday. The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office would not comment on the surrounding events or location of Jacobs' passing and said they are investigating whether there was foul play.
His real name is Gregory Edward Jacobs.
His Digital Underground groupmate Chopmaster J. posted the news Thursday night to Instagram: "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. And now he's awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!!"
Fellow artists took to social media to express their shock and sadness over the news. Rapper Ice Cube wrote, "RIP Shock-G/Humpty Hump. I remember when NWA's road manager Atron said he had a group called Digital Underground. He played DOWHATCHALIKE video & I went crazy. I had to sample DU on JACKIN FOR BEATS and WHO'S THE MACK. And nobody had a better stage show. A true Bay Area original."
Digital Underground had a string of hits in the early 1990s, including "The Humpty Dance" and "Doowutchyalike."
Digital Underground formed with Chopmaster J and Kenny-K in Oakland, Calif., back in 1987, and charged into the charts on several occasions in the late '80s and early '90s. Rap legend Tupac Shakur was a rodie and dancer for the group.
“I look back [on my times with Shock G] with the greatest fondness. Those were like some of the best times of my life...”
- Tupac
1995
Many says if it was not for Shock G, the world would have never seen Tupac.
The group enjoyed four top 40-charting hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, including "The Humpty Dance," which also spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart in 1990 and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
[Sources: CNN, Billboard]
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