Shock G, the co-founder of legendary hip-hop group Digital Underground, died at age 57 on Thursday.
The rapper, whose real name was Gregory Jacobs, was discovered in a hotel room in Tampa, according to his father Edward Racker, who told TMZ that authorities will conduct an autopsy but there were no signs of trauma. In a statement to People, his family wrote, “Our son, brother and friend, Gregory Jacobs, also known as Shock G, suddenly passed away today. The cause of death is currently unknown. We truly, truly appreciate all the out-pouring of love and concern. Please keep us in your prayers at this very difficult time.”
Fellow Digital Underground member Chopmaster J also confirmed the news of his friend’s passing in an Instagram post, writing, “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!!!”
Shock G was the lead singer of the groundbreaking hip-hop group he formed with Chopmaster J and Kenny K in 1987 after moving from the East Coast to Oakland, California. In 1990, the group released their debut studio album, Sex Packets, quickly finding huge commercial success with their second single “The Humpty Dance,” during which Jacobs would transform into his alter ego “Humpty Hump.” The song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the music video introduced the world to a young Tupac Shakur. Shakur would go on to make his recording debut on Digital Underground’s 1991 “Same Song,” and Shock G, in turn, did a memorable feature on Tupac’s 1993 breakthrough single “I Get Around” and was one of the producers on his 1991 debut solo album 2Pacalypse Now. In addition to his work with Tupac, Shock G was also known for producing hits for major artists like Dr. Dre, Prince, KRS-One, and Bobby Brown.
The official 2Pac Twitter account run by his estate also wrote a tribute to the late musician, tweeting a 1995 quote from Shakur that reads, “I look back [on my times with Shock G] with the greatest fondness. Those were like some of the best times of my life.”
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