Digital Underground

Digital Underground is a group of rappers and DJs led by Shock G, formed in Oakland in 1987. Their music is heavily influenced by George Clinton and his groups Parliament and Funkadelic, evident in their grooves and surreal humor. The group's first record was the 1987 single "Underwater Rimes" by TNT Records. By 1989, when Digital Underground signed with Tommy Boy, there were seven members.

Their debut album on Tommy Boy, "Sex Packets," featured hit singles like "Doowhutchyalike" and "The Humpty Dance," showcasing Shock G's alter ego Humpty Hump. The album went platinum due to the success of "The Humpty Dance." In 1991, they released "This Is An EP Release," which included songs used in the dark comedy film "Nothing But Trouble." This EP marked Tupac Shakur's first recording with the group.

As the '90s progressed, hardcore gangsta artists dominated the rap charts, making Digital Underground's lighthearted and off-kilter music less commercially viable. Despite introducing another successful solo rapper Saafir, their 1993 album "The Body-Hat Syndrome" had minimal chart impact. After a three-year hiatus, they returned with albums like "Future Rhythm" (1996) and "Who's Got the Gravy?" (1998).