Tributes paid to Digital Underground's Shock G, who has died aged 57

Shock G, founder of acclaimed hip-hop group Digital Underground, died in Tampa, Florida, yesterday, April 22, The New York Times reports. The rapper and producer, born Gregory Jacobs, was 57.

In addition to his work with the pioneering group (which he co-founded in Oakland, California in 1987), he also helped launch the career of Tupac Shakur – co-producing and featuring on some of 2Pac's most iconic tracks.

Shock G's fellow Digital Underground co-founder Chopmaster J has paid tribute to his former bandmate 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," he writes. "And now he’s awaken from the fame long live shock G Aka Humpty Hump and Rest In Peace my Brotha Greg Jacobs!!!"

See more tributes to Shock G below:

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. pic.twitter.com/skrOoM1Rsv

— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 23, 2021

Oh No, Not Shock G (and his alter ego Humpty Hump). He helped keep P Funk Alive! He is responsible for Digital Underground's "The Humpty Dance", 2Pac's breakthrough single "I Get Around", and co-producer of 2Pac's debut album 2Pacalypse Now. Prayers to family & friends.🙏Dang. pic.twitter.com/51aEAw6nKn

— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) April 23, 2021

“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

RIP Shock G pic.twitter.com/7QxckaJMM2

— 2PAC (@2PAC) April 23, 2021

Shock G gone to soon 💔 you did so much for the bay once u created Digital Underground. We honor u and we will miss u 🌹 praying for ur love ones. 🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/asTOUcnn2Y

— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) April 23, 2021

RIP Shock G. Thanks for the joy you gave me. Rest well 🙏🏿💛 pic.twitter.com/U9DedgoEcz

— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 23, 2021

Man .... Shock G what a tough loss at such a precarious time. Brilliant beyond ...such a beautiful free mind Brother. #RestinBeats my man . #Doowhatchalike #DUforever

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 23, 2021

Damn. Fiona Apple just hit & told me this cool story about her pushing a cart in the Home Depot parking lot, & saw Shock G (97) & both were mutual fans (DU was her 1st rap purchase/He would spin “Never Is A Promise”at gigs) they would email/exchange lyrics to each other. 😥

— Dr. Love (@questlove) April 23, 2021

Damn another gone!! 57 is not old damnit!! We was just dancing to his song!! RIP SHOCK G!! pic.twitter.com/oFcCt0Fn8c

— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) April 23, 2021

2Pac as his star ⭐️ was rising telling me about how Shock G, R.I.P.OWER made it happen for him on the track, “Same Song”. Too many gone way too soon. pic.twitter.com/rvDPI5Gj0D

— FAB 5 FREDDY (@FABNEWYORK) April 23, 2021

Shock G was part of the era to me as a child that rap stars were more like super heroes. It holds a dear place in my heart. The way it was packaged, introduced , & the way imagination/aliases/characters were valued. We lost that later on in the game. Rest In Peace Legend.

— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) April 23, 2021

👑 FACTS from #ShockG Genius 👑 https://t.co/BvxYK5UIz0

— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) April 23, 2021

Rest in Peace Shock G pic.twitter.com/A3ruGWVQ02

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 23, 2021

RIP to Hip Hop legend Shock G aka Humpty Hump 🙏🏾 ❤️ Prayers to his family, friends and fans. #BETRemembers #ShockG pic.twitter.com/14qKIdBe1g

— BET (@BET) April 23, 2021