Despite having one of hip-hop's biggest hits, Digital Underground's musicality is vastly underrated—as is their catalog!
From Hip Hop Wiki:
Digital Underground was an alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California. Their personnel changed and rotated with each album and tour. Digital Underground's frontman and mainstay was Greg "Shock G" Jacobs (RIP), who created the group in 1987 with Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright and Tampa Bay radio DJ Kenneth "Kenny K" Waters. ...Digital Underground's debut release was the 1988 single "Underwater Rimes"/"Your Life's a Cartoon". The single sold 18,000 copies, and Digital Underground attracted the attention of Virgin Records, Warner Bros. Records, and Tommy Boy Entertainment...this girl who said she knew a DJ that was pretty good", recommended David "DJ Fuze" Elliott, who was then known as DJ Goldfingers. Elliott agreed to join the group, but only on the condition that he could bring with him Ronny "Money-B" Brooks, as the two were a duo under the name MGM (which would be renamed as Raw Fusion). Digital Underground, consisting of Jacobs, Dright, Elliott, and Brooks, opened up for labelmate Queen Latifah and group EPMD in Germany, and impressed Tommy Boy Records with their performance and were able to release a single on the label.
About this Series
Black History Month isn't just about celebrating the most famous names – it's about honoring the full tapestry of Black excellence. In that spirit, this 'Lesser Celebrated' series spotlights brilliant artists whose impact on hip hop culture deserves deeper recognition. These aren't 'lesser-known' talents – they're vital innovators whose contributions helped shape the culture we know today, even if they haven't always received their proper celebration.
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