Shock G death: Ice Cube and Viola Davis lead tributes after Digital Underground star found dead

‘Thank you for the joy you gave me. Rest well,’ actor Viola Davis wrote

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Shock G, the rapper known for co-founding hip-hop collective Digital Underground along with his work with Tupac Shakur, has died aged 57.

TMZ was told by the late artist’s father, Edward Racker, that he was found dead in a hotel room in Tampa, Florida. The cause of his death is currently unknown.

Digital Underground’s Chopmaster J wrote 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!!! #digitalunderground.”

Born Gregory Jacobs, Shock G co-founded the collective Digital Underground in the late Eighties with Chopmaster J and Kenneth Water.

They released six albums, including their critically adored 1990 debut Sex Packets, going through several lineup changes but always with Shock G at the heart of the group. He disbanded Digital Underground in 2008.

With Tupac, he appeared on the song “I Get Around” and co-produced the rapper’s 1991 debut solo album, 2Pacalypse Now.

Rapper Ice Cube shared a tribute on Twitter, commenting: “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.”

Actor Viola Davis wrote: “RIP Shock G. Thanks for the joy you gave me. Rest well.”