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.
James Burke, sometime lead singer of the Five Stairsteps, died of pneumonia on February 19, 2021, at the age of 70.
The Five Stairsteps was formed in the mid-1960s in Chicago, IL and consisted of four brothers and one sister.
The group, known as "The First Family of Soul", had several hits beginning with 1966’s “You Waited Too Long” and “World of Fantasy”, and “A Million to One” from 1968. Their biggest hit was 1970’s “O-o-h Child”, led by James. The group added sibling Cubie prior to disbanding. Brother Keni Burke began his solo career in 1977 and released a self-titled album which produced no hits of its own. He became a popular session bass player who worked with Sly & the Family Stone, Natalie Cole, Billy Preston, Les McCann, the Emotions, The Four Tops, Redman, Stargard, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Silk, Narada Michael Walden, and Ramsey Lewis. His second solo album contained “Risin' to the Top” in 1982.
The Five Stairsteps became The Invisible Man’s Band in 1978, releasing the highly danceable hit “All Night Thing” in 1980.
Brother Clarence Burke Jr. died on May 26, 2013. Cubie Burke died on May 14, 2014.
It is always heartbreaking to lose a part of one’s past, and so we will miss James and The Five Stairsteps.
Prince Markie Dee, former member of the famous 1980s rap group The Fat Boys, died on February 18, 2021 (one day before his birthday), at the age of 52. The cause of death was not reported.
He was named Mark Anthony Morales upon his birth in Brooklyn. NY.
As a member of The Fat Boys, Morales appeared in the 1985 film “Krush Groove” and the 1987 film “Disorderlies”.
The Fat Boys were among the first rap groups to release full-length rap albums. Some of their more well-known songs are “Fat Boys” and “All You Can Eat”.
After the breakup of The Fat Boys, Morales went on to a fairly successful solo career, formed a record production company called Soul Convention, and wrote and produced tracks for Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Craig Mack, among others. He was also a beloved radio disc jockey in Miami, FL.
Morales’ solo career consisted of the immensely popular “Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)” from 1992.
It is always distressing to hear of the demise of famous musicians from our past, particularly at a relatively young age. Prince Markie Dee will be missed.
Mary Wilson, founding member of the stars of Motown, the Supremes, has passed away on February 8, 2021, at the age of 76. Her cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Ms. Wilson was born in Greenville, MS on March 6, 1944. She lived in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL prior to landing in Detroit, MI in the early 1950s. She joined the Primettes in 1959, before graduating high school. They were signed to Motown in 1961, at which time the group’s name was changed to the Supremes. The rest, as they say, is history,
The Supremes began a string of number 1 hits in 1964 with “Where Did Our Love Go”. Ms. Wilson sang background on 10 of the 12 hits. She was the longest-lasting member of the Supremes, being a member until the group disbanded in 1977. She enjoyed a brief solo career following the group’s breakup.
Ms. Wilson produced a best-selling memoir, “Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme”, in 1986 and a second best-selling memoir, ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together” in 1990.
Ms. Wilson was involved in various legal disputes over the management of the Supremes and over the name itself. She played a role in lobbying for the “Truth in Music” legislation, which determines who is allowed to use a group’s name.
Ms. Wilson continued to perform concerts and appear on shows such as “Dancing with the Stars”. She performed work for various charities, namely Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and the NAACP.
Ms. Wilson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association in 2020. She was inducted, along with the Supremes, into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame class of 2013.
John "Ecstacy" Fletcher, rapper and co-founder of the hip hop group Whodini, passed away on December 23, 2020 at the age of 56.
Whodini was formed in 1982 by John Fletcher, Jalil Hutchins, and DJ Crew Carter (also known as “Grandmaster Dee”). The group was wildly popular throughout the 1980s with such hits as “Friends”, “Five Minutes of Funk”, and “Freaks Come Out at Night” (1984) and “Funky Beat” and “One Love” (1986).
The group laid the foundation for the genre “New Jack Swing” which consisted of elements of jazz, funk, rap, and rhythm and blues.
In 2007, Whodini was featured at the 4th VH1 Hip Hop Honors. In 2012, Whodini was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. And in 2018, the group was awarded the Hip-Hop Icon Award.
In the 1980s, Whodini was the favorite group of everybody’s mom. We blasted their music in our homes so that people outside could hear and enjoy it.
We hope Ecstasy is still rocking the Funky Beat, wherever he may be.
