email GlenBurnie MD 02/24/04
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RAP LEGEND- SHOCK-G aka HUMPTY HUMP...
This past Presidents Day weekend I was lucky enough to attend the final showdate(in D.C.) of DIGITAL UNDERGROUND’s recent tour of the U.S. Just like the last time I witnessed them “live”…they put on another Flawless performance!!! Before the show even began I ran into D.U. & Dungeon Squad member 2 Fly Ely. He told me to wait for him after the show so we could party. So there I am in chillin in the Marriot with Rap Legends DIGITAL UNDERGROUND and about 10 longtime fans. I talked to SHOCK-G for a while, and before you know it we’re scheduling for this in-depth interview. Now incase you’re reading this and the names SHOCK-G, HUMPTY HUMP, and DIGITAL UNDERGROUND “ring a bell”, but you can’t quite pinpoint where you’ve heard those names…here’s a quick lil history lesson before you peep the interview. DIGITAL UNDERGROUND is the Oakland formed rap group who’s responsible for numerous Gold/Platinum albums that featured such hit songs as- “The Humpty Dance”, “Dowutchyalike”, "Kiss You Back", “Same Song”, “Freaks of the Industry”, “I GOT 5 ON IT(RMX),“No Nose Job”, “I get around(feat TUPAC)”, “Return of the Crazy One”, and “Oregano Flow”. Although the group has seen several members come and go through the years, the groups veteran members include- SHOCK-G, HUMPTY HUMP(Shocks split personality), MONEY B, CLEE, 2 FLY ELY, and the late TUPAC. Aside from SHOCK’s D.U. fame, he’s received praise throughout the music industry for his production contributions on other artists projects as well. It’s been awhile since the worlds been blessed with an in-depth interview with the multiple man himself. Lets take a journey through the mind of rap Legend SHOCK-G.

HODGE- Welcome SHOCK! I hear you have a new solo album coming out soon called- “HALLUCINATIONS”. Can you confirm any special guests that will be appearing on the album? How about a familiar brother of yours…HUMPTY HUMP?

SHOCK G- "Hallucinations" is about 1/3 a shockg solo album, 1/3 a guest artist/production album (featuring Clev-MC, Fifth-Element, Ant-Dog, Delina-Dream, Money-B, Humpty-Hump, Ray-Luv, Yukmouth, Java, Numskull and K-Lien to name a few, with Q-Bert and D-Sharp on turntables), and 1/3 an experimental future-jazz album. I tried to fuse together hip-hop, rave, and enlightened hippie culture all on one album in a sort of "dark comedy". I take it all pretty lightly, and don't mean it so seriously as other artists. It's just a recording to me, to entertain and make ya laugh and wonder; it's not intented to be the koran or bible or nothin. Some rappers are CNN. I'm the comedy channel.

HODGE- Speaking of album releases, I once read a internet a rumor about a new DIGITAL UNDERGROUND album called “INTERNATIONAL HELMIT SOCIETY”. Any truth to this rumor?

SHOCK G- "International Helmut Society" was basically "Lost Files 2" with a less generic name. Many "lost" or unreleased gems including the song "International Helmut" which was previously released on "Good Lawd, That's Alotta Drank" by Clee & Drank-Alot. Lost files was a Money-B executive produced & conceived project that was interrupted when he decided to produce the "Sex n the Studio" DVDs instead. Good luck to anyone trying to track down "..Society", I'm not sure if it ever made it to mastering or duplication stage.

HODGE- I have a question about the artwork on the inside booklet of your “WHO GOT THE GRAVY” album. In it is an alternate album cover sketch that advertises D’ANGELO as a guest on the album. What happened to his appearance?

SHOCK G- When I was still doodling possible layout ideas for the "..Gravy" cover, it was getting arranged by our label to put me & D'angelo in the studio together. He was one of the artists I mentioned when they asked me "is there anyone out there you'd really like to collaborate with?". It almost happened too, but schedules didn't permitt at the time. Oh well. Maybe we'll cross musical paths in the fewcha. He's the ultimate modern day organ & piano cat. I was really amazed & inspired by his "Talk Shit To Ya" joint from the Baby Boy soundtrack. That's that real funk right there.

HODGE- You’ve landed acting roles in the films- “NOTHING BUT TROUBLE(starring Dan Aykroyd & Chevy Chase)”, and “WHO’S THE MAN”. You’ve also appeared in Nike commercials with Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. However, theirs a lot of speculation as to whether or not you were in a film called “FUNERAL” or not. Can you clear this up?

SHOCK G- I was involved with the soundtrack for "The Funeral", but not the actual film. It featured a collaboration I did with Mystic called "Gloomy Sunday", a remake of the Billy Holiday classic. She did the vocal and I did the piano track.

HODGE- You’ve produced for and done collaboration tracks with such famous musicians as- TUPAC, PRINCE, KRS 1, BIG PUN, TOO SHORT, SPICE 1, E-40, BIG DADDY KANE, CHUCK-D, BIZ MARKIE, SIR MIX-A-LOT, BOBBY BROWN, GEORGE “P-FUNK” CLINTON, DJ QUICK, SAAFIR, MYSTIC, PARIS, LUNIZ, ABOVE THE LAW, and many more. Is their any other artist out there that you haven’t worked with that you’d add to your collab wish list?

SHOCK G- I'd like to collaborate with more intense instrumentalists, musicians who play their instrument (or digitally program) with as much passion, identity, and vision as an emcee creates his flow-style and rime patterns. Aware and deliberate. That's how I try to paint my tracks, I reach for textures, colors, and point-of-views that I haven't heard yet, or that I think today’s music is lacking. I don't like to just "make beats" or copy what's popular, even if it's a popular thing that I myself contributed to the game. My opinion is; if you want "Freaks of the Industry", "I Get Around", or "So Many Tears", they're still on the shelves in the music stores. I guess creatively I get bored easy so I'm always on to the next.

HODGE- What is your opinion on the rock/rap groups WOLFPACK and the KOTTONMOUTH KINGS remaking your classic tracks- “Humpty Dance” and “Freaks of the Industry”?

SHOCK G- I'd love to hear the Wolfpack and Kottonmouth Kings versions of d.u. songs. I heard Beck covered something we did too. Could you email me MP3s of that stuff if you have any? If not I'll keep my ears peeled out there. Do you suggest I go purchase any of it?

HODGE- Sure thing man. I’ll get those tracks to you ASAP. I’ll do it by P.O. mail though…I’m a lo-tech kinda guy on the pc, lol.

HODGE- Which is your favorite D.U. album?

SHOCK G- Future Rhythm is probably my current favorite d.u. album, (..and I should know, I listen to d.u. songs repeatedly for 11 and a half hours a day as a meditation while I masturbate. Then I have yogurt with a bran muffin and do four full horizontal crunches for optimum spleen and abdomen health.) ..but it varies from year to year. I like to look back and see which of our musical experiments and brilliant industry predictions came to manifest. And laugh at all the crazy "bricks" and way-misses. Body Hat Syndrome and Future Rhythm took alot of those "left turns" and were stoopid experi"mental". That was back when I was still shampooing with mayonnaise and using a clay-based heel & big toe scrub. I apologize to any fans who look for the re-workings of successful "formulas" and styles from previous albums, the sheer artist in me won't allow that approach. I've noticed that the only time I sound "normal" seems to be when I guest on other peoples projects. I wish all the labels and companies would let the collabos go on the d.u. greatest hits joints. Like "All in the Same Gang" with Dre, "Crawl before you Ball" wit Saafir, or "Risky Business" wit Murs. These are some of my personal favorites.

HODGE- I spoke with the rapper BLAZE YA DEAD HOMIE this past winter about D.U.’s “SEX & THE STUDIO” dvd. On the dvd rapper 2 FLY ELY is rocking a TWIZTID jersey. Of course BLAZE is close friends with TWIZTID so I asked him how they felt about it. BLAZE told me that he was unaware of it, but he was psyched to hear it. Then he told me that TWIZTID and DIGITAL UNDERGROUND recently met up in Las Vegas and really hit it off. Any chance of ever doing a collab with them?

SHOCK G- Sure, I'll collaborate with anyone who really connects with what I do, or helps me believe what I'm capabale of. I like when I'm challenged by artists who nudge me into a new realm or point of view that I'm not used to creating from. When they have faith, and trust what comes, I do too. Like that it flows, and always somethin good happens. But when they doubt "the light" or oversteer the session trying to re-create past magic it usually blocks anything good, new and genuine from happening. But when it's someone elses record I just try to give em what they really were hoping I'd do, even if I myself would liked to have stretched out more.

HODGE- Over 10 years ago you did a track with rapper PARIS called “Time for Peace”. It was an anti war song about Desert Storm. After all these years that song is still relevant to the war-time situation going on today. What are your views about U.S. troops in IRAQ…again?

SHOCK G- Let all the greedy capitalists, control-freaks, and materialists fight and stress over all that shit while us lovers love. As far as all the "innocent bystanders" who are unluckily born into violent societies are concerned, do the best you can to seek out peaceful situations and safe places to dwell. I recently spent some time in Florida, which along with Mississippi, Louisianna, and Alabama is at the top of the list of most unhealthy and diseased people per state. I realized that California is like the "promiss-land" compared to these un-enlightened U.S. states of fear & denial in which the brainwashing & racism is self-perpetual and prehistoric. But deep down southerners don't really want it to change; the european-americans (whites) prefer the illusion of comfort & superiority to actually earning their way in the world; while the african americans prefer having someone to blame ("them damn crackas") to taking responsibility and/or getting the fuck out of the south! It's a sick complacent relationship which is a smaller model of the entire world allowing euro-US to lead us with all it's fun contaminating gadgets and lack of conscience spirituality. I try to live in harmony with the planet as long as it allows me to, and I treat all living things as I myself would like to be treated, with respect and appreciation. Yes, even to humans, who of all the animals act the ugliest and least deserve this unconditional blanket of love & respect.

HODGE- Okay, so what’s the D.U./RON JEREMY connection? He was a guest judge on D.U.’s “SEX AND THE STUDIO” dvd, he invited D.U. member- CLEE on the reality show “Surreal Life” with him, and I even heard a rumor that you appeared in a film with him called “BUTTMAN AT THE NUDES A POPPIN 12 2001”. Is he a close friend of the D-FLOW or what?

SHOCK G- Ron Jeremy is one of the true great human beings who you just gotta meet in person to fully understand and appreciate. We met Ron when he introduced digital underground at the first of the many "D-Money Players Balls" performances in Vegas over the past few years, and he's been a true homie ever since. He's got the wildest sex stories and gives us all tips and pointers on how to stay clean and how to keep "beatin' witout bubblin" too fast. What shocked me was that he's been completely smoke/drink/drug-free all these years (the whole time) and still puts it down like that wit all these young and energetic hot chicks. I thought he was gettin "help" and using synthetic energy all this time and even offered him a line of "shazz" once backstage at a "Miss Nude World USA" we hosted together. But to my surprise he gave me some much needed beautiful advise about how drugs for-sure destroy your career, your mind, & your body, which I took serious heed to and checked my shit. Thanks Ron!

HODGE- Is the DIGITAL UNDERGROUND “Raw & Uncut” dvd still coming out? SHOCK G- I hope the d.u. Raw & Uncut DVD comes out soon. The cat who started the whole thing, Atron Gregory, keeps gettin cold feet about it everytime it gets close to release. He's the type who acts business-safe & cautiously, and from the mind more than from the heart and his mind's been tellin him that it might not be the best seller or make the profit he wished for. But hopefully his heart will realize that we've graduated victoriously into a real-life family that has survived this amazing adventurous journey that a lot of people worldwide would like us to share and expand on. Digital Underground has withstood a test of time and the opportunity to be the exclusive source & executive producer of the first feature-film/DVD documenting that experience could prove to be not only lucrative but historical at the very least. I hope he chooses to trust, support and believe in what is still evolving, and decides to release it again. But if not, something by somebody will make out there eventually I'm sure. When the time is right.

HODGE- In a recent interview SAAFIR spoke briefly about his upcoming album- “Magnum P.I.”. You did some production on his previous albums. Will you be doing production on his upcoming album as well?

SHOCK G- I missed-out on collaborating with Saafir on his latest album "Magnum PI". I been movin too slow for him, Ras & X lately, but I can't wait to hear it cause I know it's gonna be CRAZY. He's at a really good point in his career from a fans perspective and I'm still a fan. Most rappers get inspired off other rappers but Saafir gets flow ideas from jazz musicians, horn players like coltrane & miles. He picks really abstract tracks from producers too. The really gully but sci-fi typa swang that makes you remember that hip-hop is supposed to be artsy, crafty, and provocative.

HODGE- Speaking of your production, did you produce any tracks on MYSTIC’s critically acclaimed debut album?

SHOCK G- I'll always appreciate Mystic, she's been gently teaching me how to breathe from afar. Greetings our beautiful hip-hop angel, I miss you.

HODGE- Any crazy stories from the road you can share with me?

SHOCK G- Once in 2003 in Hollywood at a real serious Pac tribute show in which people like Dead Prez, Medusa, and Erykah Badu had the whole spot feelin like a panther rally; Me & Money-B got cold feet and decided not to perform convinced that our light-hearted songs were not appropriate at such a politically aware event. At like 1:50am, I finally start gettin the itch and begin pacing backstage with the urge to contribute something to the show, but I'm still nervous and can't quite get the nerve to go up there. Erykah notices this and walks up to me and says "what's up shock you ain't gonna do nothin tonight?". Tryin to keep my kool and respond to Erykahs lovely divine presence, I blurt out; "Hell yeah, I got a rime I'd love to say if I can get you on drum machine again". (Earlier she had took an amazing solo on this futuristic manual drum-machine-thing that mesmerized the entire room. I was half-asking this, expecting her to decline my request, and give me the perfect excuse not to have to go up.) Without even blinking Erykah grabs me by the hand and starts marching toward the stage, pulling me behind her with a "child please" look on her face in response to my hesitation. I'm like "but wait, I don't wanna disrespect and interrupt whats goin on on stage already." ..but she's still dragging me across the room through a crowd of people and said "child whatever you gonna do you betta do it right now, they bout ta pull the plug in 3 minutes". As we walk on stage she gestures to the audience "look what I found" as I find a mic and she gets back live on the drum machine. The rest for me was like an out of body experience, I more watched it than I actually did it. I joyfully said hello to this beautifully charged all african american sold-out crowd who were all there in honor of Tupac, and actually did a few verses un-plugged style with Erykah Badu holdin me down on drum machine. (What??) Yes, my goofy ass, ..on stage at the Pac benifit wit Dead Prez, Thug Life, OutLaws, Medusa, Jayo Felon, and others all passin the mic around while Miss Badu provided fresh live beats with her fingers like Grand Master Flash on the beat box. This became the grand finale of the entire night and the "house" didn't pull the sound-plug on us and let it ride till like 2:15, 2:20 am! This is unheard of in nightclub-law strict L.A. and was purely an act of honor and respect of Tupac and all the undeniable positive energy in that room that night. Jeeeeeesussss Chrriiiiiiiissssst!!!!!! ..Or better yet as I like to say; Tuuuuuupaaaaaac Shaaakuuuuurrrrrrrr!!!!!!

SHOCK G- Erykah Badu is a serious musician with lots of amazing hidden talents and surprises. I get juiced off people like her because there's a lot more to her than meets the eye but she doesn't go around trying to prove anything or convince anybody. That's true grace, beauty, and elegance. (..wit her fine lil' ass!)

HODGE- Did you do all the artwork on the covers and inside booklets of the D.U. albums? Do you still practice your artwork?

SHOCK G- I don't really draw, but I doodle n cartoon sometimes. Wanna see a funny comic strip I did back in ' 98? Go here: http://www.shockg.com/pg001.htm Yeah, I guess I scketched most of those d.u. covers and booklets as "Rackadelic", a nick name I was given from talking about Funkadelic so much in high school. (My birthname was Gregory Racker before I took "Jacobs", my moms maiden last.) I like good ole' fashioned markers more than using the digital pen-pads or mouses.

HODGE- I want to thank you for taking the time out to do this interview with me SHOCK. I’ve been a huge fan for many years now. Definitely an honor man. Any last words for your fans reading this?

SHOCK G- Thanks for the grand opportunity to tell my stories. And always DOOWUTCHYALIKE instead of what everybody else is doing cause it's usually the best thing. Follow your true heart! shockg

---

Click HERE for Rap DVDs, Viva La Bam, Wild Boyz and Jackass Movies.