Shock G, Co-Founder Of Digital Underground, Found Dead In Hotel At 57

Shock G, frontman and co-founder of the hip-hop group Digital Underground, was found dead in a hotel room in Tampa on Thursday, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He was 57.

The cause of death remains undetermined, but authorities believe there was no foul play involved.

“Our son, brother and friend, Gregory Jacobs, also known as Shock G, suddenly passed away today,” his family said in a statement. “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.”

Shock G, who’s name at birth was Gregory Jacobs, started Digital Underground  with Chopmaster J and the late Kenny-K in the 1987 after relocating from the East Coast to Oakland, California.

The group’s first singles, “Underwater Rimes” and “Doowutchyalike” introduced Jacobs’ famous alter ego, Humpty Hump. In 1990, the band released their debut studio album, Sex Packets, featuring the song “The Humpty Dance.” The song reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  The group’s most recent album was a live recording, released in 2008.

Jacobs also worked as a music producer, having worked on Tupac Shakur’s breakthrough single “I Get Around,” which he is featured on. Jacobs also produced Shakur’s 1995 single “So Many Tears.” He worked with Bobby Brown, Dr. Dre and Prince during his career.

Chopmaster J posted a 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,” he wrote, “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!!!”

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Other celebrities posted tributes to Shock G on social media, including MC Hammer and Mariah Carey.