Digital Underground Singer Gregory Jacobs AKA Shock G Dead At 57 — MC Hammer, Ice T, More React
Digital Underground's Gregory Jacobs, who performed as Shock G and his alter ego Humpty Hump, died earlier this week at age 57.
Jacobs' father, Edward Racker, confirmed the sad news to TMZ and said his son was found dead in a hotel room in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, April 22. His cause of death is unknown, but Racker said authorities would carry out an autopsy.
The initial announcement was first made by Digital Underground bandmate Chopmaster J, born Jimi Dright Jr., on 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!!!" he wrote.
Jacobs was best known as the lead singer of Digital Underground and for collaborations with 2Pac. 2Pac, who was born Tupac Shakur, appeared in their 1991 hit "Same Song," and Shock G was featured on 2Pac's "I Get Around" and was a producer on his solo album 2Pacalypse Now.
Jacobs and Chopmaster J formed Digital Underground in 1987 and debuted with their single "Underwater Rimes." They signed to Tommy Boy two years later and added DJ Fuze, Money-B and Shmoovy-Shmoov to the group.
They released their debut album called Sex Packets in 1990, featuring their biggest hit "The Humpty Dance," which reached Number 11 on the Billboard 200.
Jacobs was beloved for his alter egos such as MC Blowfish, Icey-Michael Boston, the Computer Woman, ButtaFly and Peanut Hakeem, but Humpty Hump was Digital Underground's most beloved figure.
Scroll down to see the reactions to Jacob's passing.
MC Hammer
MC Hammer described Jacobs as "Super Talent," and "Beautiful Musician Incredible Vision."
Ice Cube
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Ice Cube recalled that "nobody had a better stage show."
Viola Davis
Actress Viola Davis thanked Jacobs for "the joy you gave me."
Bootsy Collins
Singer Bootsy Collins recalled how Jacobs "helped keep P Funk Alive" and was responsible for 2Pac's breakthrough single.
Questlove
Questlove shared a story of Fiona Apple meeting Jacobs in a Home Depot parking lot and "both were mutual fans."
Elijah Wood
"Rest in Peace Shock G," Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood wrote.
Ice T
"I'm sick of all these Fn RIPs," Ice T lamented.
Rock The Bells
LL Cool J's Rock The Bells organization said they were "once again saddened to lose a legend in Shock G."
