Für Fans von: Hip-Hop, Elektronisch, und Funk & Soul.
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Digital Underground first appeared in 1987 led by Greg “Shock G” Jacobs, Jimi “Chopmaster” Dright, and Kenneth “Kenny-K” Waters, however has its roots in the funk of the ‘70s. Initially inspired by the militancy of The Black Panthers, Shock G soon altered the group’s aesthetic to appeal to fun-loving and whimsical rap listeners. Issued in 1990, Digital Underground’s debut album “Sex Packets” was led by the modestly successful single “Doowutchyalike”. Featuring Shock G’s alter ego Humpty Hump, the album’s second single “The Humpty Dance” was a national success peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record became critically acclaimed, praised for its combination of samples and live instrumentation at odds to the rap climate dominated by Public Enemy and N.W.A.
The group’s membership had expanded by this point to include DJ Fuze, Money-B, Schmoovy-Schmoov, and notably Tupac Shakur, and released a debut EP, “This is an EP Release”, in early 1991. Tupac had initially appeared with the group as a dancer and subsequently a hype man before making his debut on the track “Same Song”. Digital Underground’s sophomore album “Sons of the P” was released later in 1991 peaking at No. 44 on the Billboard 200. Spawning the singles “No Nose Job” and “Kiss You Back”, the album is marked by an early guest appearance by George Clinton.
Following a successful tour, the group returned to the studio and released the explicit single “The Return of the Crazy One” in light of the burgeoning gangsta rap scene. The full-length “The Body-Hat Syndrome” was subsequently released in 1993 peaking at No. 16 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart. Failing to find a national market for their music, Digital Underground’s fourth studio album, “Future Rhythm” was independently released in 1996. The full-length “Who Got the Gravy” appeared in 1998, however failed to receive much attention, and was followed a decade later by ”..Cuz a D.U. Party Don’t Stop!”.
Ah, Digital Underground, the epitome of 90's hip hop. Performing at San Francisco at a small restaurant known as Yoshi's, the beats were heavy in this venue.
You can not only hear the beats of The Humpty Dumpty chorus line, but one could feel it all around them. Greg Jacobs, also known as Shock G, is our lead vocalist here, dropping the lines without ever missing the beat. Shock G gives it his all and brings up the hype with the the Humpty Dumpty song. He also has a unique look to him with his striped afro, fake nose, and thick rimmed glasses, giving him a hip hop nerd look.
This performance is just fun to listen to and brings me back to when 90's hip hop was a thing, when hip hop was just about having fun and it didn't need to be serious. The venue is small and there's not much room to move, it seems, but I think that makes it easier for the crowd to see the performance and enjoy it along with Digital Underground. Honestly though, Shock G steals the performance. The man has a lot of energy and delivers it in everything he says. Overall, a great and fun performance.