iSound

Founded in Oakland during the late 1980s, Digital Underground are among the most innovative and original forces in hip-hop. Their 1990 debut LP Sex Packets put them on the map with two major singles, "Doowhutchyalike" and "The Humpty Dance" -- the latter introducing the world to Shock G's eccentric alter-ego Humpty Hump. Armed with charismatic flows and contagious grooves merging samples and live instrumentation, they brought forth fresh new takes on the classic foundations of George Clinton and P-Funk. With playful lyrics and experimental concepts, they crafted a funkdified, party-rocking style never resorting to gangsterisms, though sometimes sounding off on social and political issues. The group's follow-up EP was the first release featuring Tupac, whom they would later produce when he went solo. DU's multitalented lineup, including Shock G, Money B, Chopmaster J, DJ Fuze, Kenny K and others, would periodically change throughout the decade; and while mostly re...