Tampa, FL – Digital Underground founder Shock G was found unresponsive in a Tampa, Florida hotel room on April 22, sending a chill through the collective spine of the Hip Hop community. After all, DMX and Black Rob had passed away the same month and the trifecta of deaths was tough to swallow.
At the time of Shock G’s death, his father Edward Racker promised an autopsy would be conducted to determine cause of death and he’s made good on that promise. According to TMZ, Shock G died of an accidental drug overdose.
Hillsborough County Medical Examiner determined a lethal mix of fentanyl, ethanol (alcohol) and methamphetamine simply overwhelmed Shock G’s system and he was unable to recover. He was pronounced dead around 2:20 p.m. local time.
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Shock G’s funeral was held on May 1 and attended by his Digital Underground brethren, Money B and DJ Fuze, 2Pac’s step-brother Mopreme Shakur and close friend Ray Luv, among many others.
Shock G established Digital Underground in the late ’80s and delivered “The Humpty Dance” from the classic Sex Packets album in 1991. He also introduced the world to future Hip Hop legend Tupac Shakur when he was recruited as Digital Underground’s backup dancer.
Shortly after the news of Shock G’s death broke, Twitter erupted with tributes to him. From Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s Krayzie Bone to Kehlani and A-Trak, there was no shortage of love pouring in for the 57-year-old artist.
Check out some of the reactions below.
Rest in Beats one of all time great guys. Shock G @hiphopgods
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 23, 2021
RIP #ShockG #digitalunderground smh ?? https://t.co/jkcMQ8HhNE
— krayzie Bone (@iamKrayzieBone) April 23, 2021
~ R.I.P. Shock G (@HumptyFunk) ??~ pic.twitter.com/THqiYryFTG
— DāM-FunK (@DaMFunK) April 23, 2021
No man, not Shock G… damn. A genuinely good dude. Bro, huh PAC for me. Hope y’all sipping’ and smoking on something they only grow in heaven. #restinpowerShockG https://t.co/7PCuDBI8iB
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) April 23, 2021
Rest in power Shock G
Wow pic.twitter.com/oWMmOV3lCU— KingBritt (@kingbritt) April 23, 2021
fuck. rest in peace Shock G
— Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) April 23, 2021
Shock G… Thank You.
Jazz musician, Rapper and Humpty Hump!That Sex Packets album is a musical masterpiece! #RIPShockG
— Ebro (@oldmanebro) April 23, 2021
Man, not Shock G
— DJ Z-TRIP (@ztrip) April 23, 2021
RIP SHOCK G ??
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) April 23, 2021
I was lucky enough to witness Shock G play the piano in a hotel lobby when we were both booked at a show that got canceled like 20 years ago. He was just playing for anyone hanging out. ? https://t.co/7zd2ZiiKmy
— Airport Banana (@atrak) April 23, 2021
We're once again saddened to lose a legend in Shock G. Digital Underground co-founder Chompmaster J shared on Instagram that Gregory Jacobs passed away at 57. The Bay Area rapper/producer was responsible for hits like “Humpty Dance” and “I Get Around.”
Rest easy, Gregory pic.twitter.com/QTxsDEFXq1
— Rock The Bells (@RockTheBells) April 23, 2021
Shock G. The Piano Man. Humpty Hump.
Musical genius. Creative pioneer. Cultural icon. Left fielder. Bay Area legend.
The man who brought us 2Pac.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/5TNI2Dbj3n
— LAMBOLAMBO (@LAMBOLAMBO) April 23, 2021