Shock G of Digital Underground (born Gregory Jacobs on August 25, 1963 in New York City, NY) died om April 22, 2021, at the age of 57.
Shock G, also known as Humpty Hump, began his career as a drummer, winning a junior high talent show in 1978. He soon traded in his drums for a set of turntables. At 16, he was the youngest radio disc jockey employed at an R&B station in Tampa, FL. He subsequently taught himself to play piano, while backpacking around the country.
Shock G ultimately landed in Oakland, CA, co-founded Digital Underground with Chopmaster J, and the late Kenneth Waters (a.k.a. Kenny-K), and began writing, producing, and performing increasingly popular music. “The Humpty Dance” was released in 1990, and went platinum. Tupac Shakur joined Digital Underground in 1991 and appeared in the song and video "Same Song".
Throughout his career, Shock G racked up a host of producing, performing, and acting credits, including appearing in “Nothing but Trouble” in 1991.
Dark Man X, famed rapper and Grammy nominee Eric Simmons, known all over the world as DMX, died on April 9, 2021 of a heart attack, at the age of 50.
On April 2, 2021, DMX was hospitalized in New York, following “catastrophic cardiac arrest” at his home in White Plains. He remained in a coma and on life support for a week before his passing.
Earl Simmons was born on December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, New York. Despite a rough childhood, Earl began beatboxing for a local rapper at the age of 14. It was around that time that Earl was introduced to illegal drugs, leading to a lifetime of incarceration and other legal troubles.
In 1988, DMX began selling his mixtapes on the streets of New York. The Source magazine acknowledged Earl in 1991 for his accomplishments. In 1992, Earl was signed to Ruffhouse, which released his debut single "Born Loser". DMX’s second single, "Make a Move" was released in 1994. He also made a guest appearance on the classic underground track "Time to Build" on Mic Geronimo's debut album in 1995.
From 1996 through 1998, DMX made guest appearances on singles for Ma$e, and LL Cool J. In 1998, DMX released his debut major-label single, "Get at Me Dog", which was certified gold. The single "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", was released in May 1998. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over five million copies. His second album, “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went multi-platinum.
DMX’s third album “And Then There Was X,” was released in December 1999 and produced “Party Up,” his first top ten hit. The album was certified six-times platinum.
DMX continued to produce music and tour up until 2019, releasing "X Gon' Give It to Ya" in 2003.
Along with his musical career, DMX paved a way as an actor. He starred in the 1998 film “Belly” and appeared in 2000′s “Romeo Must Die” with Jet Li and Aaliyah. DMX and Aaliyah teamed up for “Come Back in One Piece” on the film’s soundtrack. DMX also starred in 2001′s “Exit Wounds” with Steven Seagal and 2003′s “Cradle 2 the Grave” with Jet Li.
Reggie Warren,, one of the five original members of the 1980s R&B group TROOP (Total Respect of Other People) died on March 14, 2021 at the age of 52. The cause of his death was not immediately known.
TROOP was formed in the 1980s from a group of childhood friends in Pasadena, CA. They were signed to Atlantic Records and in 1988 released their first single “Mamacita,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts, Subsequent singles “Spread My Wings” and “All I Do Is Think of You" were released in 1990, and both reached No, 1 on the Billboard charts. Their 1989 album “Attitude” was certified platinum in 1990.
In 1991, TROOP appeared in the feature film New Jack City singing an a cappella version of “For the Love of Money.”
The group took a hiatus from 1998 until 2004, at which time the group resumed touring.
