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Do the Humpty-Hump ya’ll
Topics: Humpty, Digital Underground, Humpty Hump, oakland, Rap, hip-hop, Sex Packets, Tupac Shakur
Posted by djmikey1200 Mon Feb 4, 2008 16:56:41 PST
Viewed 1016 times
0 responses 4 comments Location: 1517 18th st., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Do the Humpty-Hump ya’ll
Rap’s self-proclaimed ‘Freaks of the Industry’ are about to ‘Doowhattheylike’ in Bako on Feb. 21 at Fishlips!



By DJ Mikey, Bakotopia.com contributor

At the height of “Yo! MTV Raps” 1990s popularity and the controversy brought forth by hip-hop rap legends Public Enemy and NWA, emerged Oakland’s Digital Underground.

Returning to Bakersfield for the first time since 1991, the west coast rap pioneers are about to bring their humpadelic sound antics to Fishlips on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m.



Filled with comedic alter-ego characters similar to Parliament-Funkadelic, Digital Underground quickly became a west coast sensation, but before foolin’ around the members of DU had more serious plans in mind.



Originally planned as a tribute group to the Black Panthers, DU decided to take on a different image approach as New York’s Public Enemy had already become synonymous with the political overtones of the Panthers with pumping fists and “Black Power” slogans.



Heavily influenced by ‘70s funk, Digital Underground instead transformed itself into an updated version of the George Clinton p-funk style family for the hip-hop set.



Signing with Tommy Boy Records in 1989, DU released the underground hit single “Doowutchalike.” Building off the success of that release, group members - Shock G, DJ Fuze, Money B, and Schmoovy-Schmoov released their full-length debut - the multi-platinum selling “Sex Packets” in the spring of 1990. The album name and concept came from an idea Schmoov had for a hallucinogen that could artificially induce orgasms as safe-sex alternative.



“The Humpty Dance,” the second single off “Sex Packets,” introduced listeners to Shock G’s alter-ego Humpty Hump. If you remember the video, Humpty was the crazy guy dressed like an insane Groucho Marx - complete with fake nose and glasses. With references to fat girls,“getting busy in a Burger King bathroom” and “MC Hammer on crack,” “The Humpty Dance” to this day is a nightclub and wedding standard.


Humpty Hump

In 1991 the group released “This is an EP Release,” featuring another minor hit “Same Song” and introducing a young rapper by the name of Tupac Shakur, who originally started as one of the groups back-up dancers. That same year, the group also scored a cameo appearance in the Dan Akroyd/Demi Moore comedy “Nothing But Trouble.”



Onstage in ‘91, Digital Underground’s live show was a combination of sexually-charged comedy and costume changes, courtesy of packed stage of characters. That was also the same year DU made a stop in Bakersfield’s Civic Auditorium with opening acts Queen Latifah and Ice T’s Rhyme Syndicate.


Digital Underground LIVE!
plus DJ Mikey and Seed
Fishlips, 1517 18th St.
Thursday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20 / 21 & over / 661-324-2557

Originally printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 20, 2-7-08

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Comment From: matt

"Cuz' in a 69 my Humpty nose will tickle ya rear" - classic lyric...LOL! Comment From: rickey

oh hells yes i am sneaking in the back cause im broke, but i gotta see these guys! Comment From: deusexmachina

"Both how I'm livin and my nose is large"....Oh yeah. Many a Karaoke mike has heard this from my lips.... I'll be there!! Comment From: matt

What a show it was....I got the aches and pains to prove it! The place was PACKED!!