Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The Digital Underground Back In Action

It’s been awhile since we’ve done the Humpty Dance.

But after a three-year recording hiatus, rapper/hip-hop master Humpty Hump has put his plastic nose back on and brushed the dust off his wacked-out funk.

Yes, the Digital Underground is back in action with a new album, another one on the way and a tour that makes a stop at The Met Tuesday.

The Digital Underground, masterminded by Greg “Shock G” Jacobs (a.k.a. Humpty Hump), is a hip-hop group with a zany theatrical flair and serious penchant for not always being serious.

Shock G is known for his multiple personalities, one of which appears on stage with Groucho-style glasses and plastic nose and another who has shown up in diapers.

One tune off their latest album, “Future Rhythm,” is called “Glooty Us Maximus.” And yes, it deals with the corresponding part of the human anatomy.

In 1987, Shock G put together the Digital Underground in Oakland, Calif.

In 1990 the band released its debut album, “Sex Packets,” which sold a million copies largely based on the catchiness of the jumpin’ “Humpty Dance.”

The single went to No. 11 on the pop charts and was rapped by Shock G’s alter-ego, Humpty Hump (the guy with the big nose and funny glasses).

Their follow-up project, “This Is An EP,” reached gold status and featured the late Tupac Shakur, who got his start in the music business as a dancer and roadie for the Digital Underground.

“Sons of the P” in 1991 and “The Body-Hat Syndrome” in 1993 followed.

But then the group split from its label, Tommy Boy, and in 1995 signed with Critique Record. It wasn’t until last summer that the Digital Underground released their newest album.

These days the Digital Underground features mainstays Shock G, Money B and DJ Fuze along with new members Erika “Shay” Sulpacio on vocals and Eric Baker on guitar.

They plan to release another album in the fall.

As the song “Wind Me Up” - likely to be the first single off their forthcoming CD - tells it, the Digital Underground may have been missing in action for a while.

But not any more.

Ever since the days when the Humpty Dance left you/Hopin,’ I feel you hopin’ that we can pull through

‘95 was a long one/they said nobody needs your music/but you kids you need a strong one

But they provoked the wrong one/because the kid’s in rare form tonight/and yo we all won.

Let me put my nose back on/notice how it goes when the flow is back on.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT The Digital Underground will perform at The Met Tuesday. Like Family and Composure open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the show, available at Outback Jack’s, G&B Select-A-Seat locations or call (800) 325-SEAT.

This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT The Digital Underground will perform at The Met Tuesday. Like Family and Composure open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the show, available at Outback Jack’s, G&B; Select-A-Seat locations or call (800) 325-SEAT.