Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Pretty interesting and entertaining.
Stronger on concept than metaphor. Funky as hell 4.4
Been listening to a song that samples ‘The Humpty Dance’ for almost 30 years and finally listened to the full original. The whole album was a fun ride. Felt like I was in a 90s Hip Hop video. Some lyrics that caught me off guard but it was a vibe. Part comedy, part musical. Really enjoyed it.
The Freaks of the Industry need to hear this one.
Lowkey groovocentric.
Back when rap was fun
Amazing how much of this album I knew just from friends quoting it.
Perverse, reference laden, narratively oblique, full of words that don’t mean nothin, like luptid? Welcome back, James Joyce.
Guaranteed this is the only album on the list with lyrics about having sex in a Burger King bathroom.
This album is a lot of fun and very clever.
I would have liked each song better if it was just half the length. But overall I thought this was very fun to listen to, I actually had to laugh a couple of times, but sometimes had to cringe a bit for inappropriate lyrics
this was very playful and creative, i enjoyed a lot of the grooves, good album, that’s what like about this challenge is that i’d never have heard this before but now i have
Oddly fun
echt nog tof
The sampling of 'agony of de feet' and 'flashlight' was spot on! Solid r&b fun album early 90s.
I was torn on this one. Really enjoyed it! Is it a 4? Is it a 5? I think 4.5 is where I will land.
80s/90s hip hop is so good, and this album is no exception. The concept of the album is hilarious and the music is great. Good rapping too.
I only knew the big song, but the rest of this was really fun!
Good hip hop album! Didnt know them but i rlly liked it.
Pas mal juste j'étais pas dans le mood
Ok.
the answer is D
It’s fun. Good mix of beats and old school hip hop. Doesn’t hold up in the modern era but it’s fun and funky
Vielleicht bin ich einfach nur zu jung und habe ausschließlich den darauf folgenden drecks HipHop abbekommen. Das hier hat nette Beats und ist unterhaltsam. Kann nicht mit Dr. Octopus mithalten, aber nicht schlecht.
The beats/music on this album are unique takes that really work. The lyrics can be a little juvenile and silly but is a great counterpoint to the other rap/hip hop around the same time.
Басы у Digital Underground классные. В целом же их рэп не прёт.
So fucked up that the gays get no sex packets 😔/j
I used this album to drown out the sound of police trainees running through the same simulated confrontation scenarios over and over again in the lobby conference room. Something about The Humpty Dance pulls off some kind of musical alchemy for me; it's just the perfect blend of beat and flow to scratch every itch in my brain. It took me forever to finally move onto the rest of the album because I kept replaying just the beginning of this song. Every beat on this album is infectious, and the Underground know it too, because most songs end with one or two uninterrupted minutes where they simply let the beats ride out with no words, and these sections are still just as good and worthwhile as the verses. Speaking of the verses, the lyricism across the project is outlandish, meaningless, and nonsensical, and it only remotely works because they play their ridiculousness so straight and with such conviction that you can't help but get on board, even as they're seriously singing to you about Gutfest and the titular sex packets. That is, with the exception of a handful of lines through the entire project so vulgar and out-of-pocket that they can't help but derail the entire momentum of the album. I also didn't expect the album to suddenly become a concept album about sex packets halfway through, with nearly half of the tracklist dedicated to an idea that probably doesn't have the legs to support that many songs, and the concept starts to become less silly and more off-putting the more detailed it gets. In fact, these offending lines and odd concepts color the experience so much that relistening to the project almost feels like a different album; maybe the jokes don't land as well a second time around, or maybe those few lines just make the rest of the album harder to laugh at. Either way, it is a testament to the sheer power of this album's insanely good production that these lines and lyrical sensibilities don't completely tank the experience of the album. And even then, some parts of the album still work really well, and I can see the potential deeper moral the Digital Underground might be getting at, even if they go at it in a pretty meat-headed and sloppy way. And again, I've barely even touched on the music itself, which is incredible throughout: beautifully chopped up hip-hop beats with funk guitars and uninterrupted piano solos, with meta spoken word moments and a constant tongue-in-cheek self-awareness tying everything together. Never has my potential rating for an album wavered this much, but there's a surprising amount of layers and depth to digest for an album called Sex Packets. Highlights: The Humpty Dance, The Way We Swing, Rhymin' on the Funk, The New Jazz (One), Underwater Rimes - Remix, Freaks of the Industry, Doowutchyalike, Packet Prelude, Sex Packets, Packet Reprise
What a fun album.
a good majority of this album is... interesting. not bad, just interesting. a lot of poop references. not sure why
Rap just as I like it - clever, a little funky and not taking itself seriously. Honestly such a great listen.
8/10 some iconic hip hop songs and lots of good ones i could vibe to
own
Stupid and I loved every second of it.
Day 5 of being snowed in: I stumble around downtown Lexington in a daze as a man graphically describes busting some cheeks, self conscious that others can overhear the music. 🗣️🗣️ yeahhh he’s the Packet Man 🗣️🗣️
I always love listening to this LP. "Doowutchyalike" could literally go on for an hour and I wouldn't care -- it's just a fun jam. Quick aside: Shock G (RIP) is such a fun and offputting person. For a group that didn't take themselves too seriously, he sure did. Watch 'Hip Hop Evolution' on Netflix for some really wild interviews with him.
Pretty good, a little bit too long for each track. Shouldn’t it be tagged as funk?
Underrated album. Of course everyone knows the Humpty Dance, but there are 3-4 other gems on here.
Im half in half out on this one. The production is top tier but the rapping is just too old school for my tastes. Its alright but for sure the weakest section of this pie. I do like the title of the record is the story of at least the last handful of songs. That part is neat. Twilight zone or black mirror ass idea but its fun. And I like that old ass show not so much tech is bad the show. Black mirror implies it's bad. Sex packets is fun and id see it as a good little story. Her type story. But the beats are it. It gives me some de la vibes with a west coast style. Super super good. I like the whole package more than I dislike the parts I dont like. Its still cool and ill replay it and maybe like it more on a second listen.
curious.
It was interesting , thx!
Digital Underground is a hip-hop group that I only became aware of after hearing "The Humpty Dance" a little over a year ago. Fronted for the longest time by Gregory "Shock G" Jacobs, who also sported the alter ego of Humpty Hump, they were one of the Golden Age groups that incorporated a heavy amount of sampling, primarily from funk music, while also boasting a playful attitude in their lyrics and song construction. Case in point, their debut album, Sex Packets, is pretty much unbridled humor. Every line that Shock G and his posse wrote is a chance to take the piss on sexual urges, along with assorted lampoons of hip-hop trends of the time. Straight from the get-go on "The Humpty Dance", the alter ego Humpty Hump comes out to introduce a new dance craze that ends up looking purposefully awkward, where "it's supposed to look like a fit or convulsion", all the while poking fun at his own exaggerated look, likening himself to "MC Hammer on crack". The following track, "The Way We Swing", sees the group flowing over a slick guitar-driven groove about their lyrical mastery and jokingly differentiating themselves from other hip-hop crews by trying not to suck up and do their own thing. "Doowutchyalike" further reinforces their notion of doing what feels natural to them, while poking fun at how radio DJs tend to cut songs down to 3-4 minutes, leaving the extended versions to the clubs. All the while, the group found themselves in rather strange and outlandish sexual encounters, including underwater, at the fictitious festival Gutfest, or in the proverbial "Danger Zone" that could be a stand-in for the dark alleyways of the city. They even go into more uncomfortably graphic detail in "Freaks of the Industry", full of double-entendres. It's only towards the end that the title of the album comes into perspective, as the Sex Packets are fictitious glowing pills that cause people to feel instant sexual gratification, for when it's inconvenient to get it on. I've certainly heard my fair share of absurd album concepts, and credit where it's due, they were able to roll the typical lyrical themes of sex and drugs into one, with the "Packet Man" assuming the role of the black-market dealer offering these pills in packages with pictures of the women that they represent. Alongside the lyrical talent, the blending of samples and live instrumentation is pretty uncanny on this record. Sure, some samples stick out like a sore thumb, such as the use of Chic's "Good Times" on "Doowutchyalike". But for the most part, they're seemingly blended in this progressive jazz-funk mix. From smooth beats with guitar wailing on "The Way We Swing" and the title track, to the eclectic piano solo over the new jack swing cadence of "Doowutchyalike", to the full-on lounge piece with abrasive record-scratching of the line "God damn" on the interlude "The New Jazz (One)", there were some innovative-for-the-time moments that showcased a bit more musical prowess from these guys. That said, for as much as I applaud the Digital Underground for how inventive and humorous they were on this record, it's still rather long to bear. Clocking in at 65 minutes, multiple tracks run for over five minutes, and they don't always warrant the extra length. Sure, I've already established how "Doowutchyalike" effectively lampoons the notions of cutting songs down, and it works well in justifying its length; I can't say the same for the likes of the sexual prowess described over the worn-out sample of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" in "Freaks of the Industry" or "Rhymin' on the Funk" with its repetitive hook. Also not helping are the multiple interlude tracks, which again I liked "The New Jazz (One)" for the clashing tones, but I can't say the same for the "Packet Prelude" or "Street Scene" that are tacked on to their respective tracks at the end. Overall, I consider Sex Packets to be a good record. I get the appeal and talent behind this group, and they were certainly ahead of their time, however brief that may have been.
Definitely of its time, but updates the P-funk sound and is a lot of fun
Classic. Whimsical N.W.A.
Lol I've heard this first track before. Ah the 90s rap.
A funny, rap group that answered to the "too serious" gangster stuff that saturated the era, the Digital Underground is quite solid actually. Of course they are a bit over the top, but that is part of their appeal. It is easy to like bands that are a little "less serious" especially if they are otherwise very technically good, if not great. If you are at all interested in this sort of hip hop, rap, electronic crossover style than you will probably really like this! At any rate, any recommendation to take a listen would not be out of sorts.
This has got to be one of the funkiest rap albums ever. The funk influences are very visible all over the samples on this album and make the production very bouncy nad groovy. The production is so unique and well done, makes the album a really fun listen. The rappers in the group aren't anything special really, they mostly rap about partying and sex but they don't take away much and are fun to listen to also. One for the production nerds.
Hip hop ? Mule lässt mich schunkeln , daher als Gut befunden. Künstler unbekannt.
Lyrically suspect (of it's time, sadly) but otherwise really interested
A good album, I liked the Humpty dance the most.
We krijgen een concept-album voorgeschoteld. Wat is dan het concept? Seks(surrogaten). Dan zijn er ineens wel een hoop meer concept-albums op te sommen. Het getuigt niet perse van creativiteit. Wat meer overtuigt is dat ze met dit onderwerp slechts twee explicit lyrics labels scoren op Spotify (al vraag ik mij bij een enkel nummer af, hoe ze dit label ontweken hebben). Letten de collega's even op? Al die krachttermen zijn vaak overbodig. Ook de klank van deze rap is vrij ongeforceerd. Het is wat betreft de toon goed vergelijkbaar met A Tribe called Quest. De rap is relaxted, de muziek is funky. Ik kan hier daarom met plezier naar luisteren. Maar laten we eerlijk zijn. Dit hoort echt niet in ons lijstje thuis. 3,5 ster (Gelet op het concept, laat ik de aftrek voor gekreun deze keer achterwege.)
Hiphop, jippie, precies waar ik al tijden zin in heb. Gelukkig geen hiphop met kinderachtige teksten dit keer, maar wel puberaal. De mannen komen iets tekort blijkbaar. Maar dat kan ik wel beter hebben dan slap geouwehoer over bling-bling of bang-bang. De muziek is een stuk relaxter dan de gangstarap. Het heeft veel funky elementen en de vibe gaat meer richting muziek als a tribe called quest, in de zin dat het dus niet agressief overkomt, maar juist heel laidback. En dat maakt het een stuk prettiger om te luisteren. Blijkbaar heeft 2pac hier zijn eerste stappen gemaakt, maar het snobboek rept (padoempats!) daar dan weer met geen woord over. Wel dat als ik dit niet goed vind, er niks van heb begrepen. Kolere zeg, als je dat al gelijk in een boek zet, dan schaam je je niet voor je snobisme. Ik zal de artiesten daar niet voor straffen, maar als ik dat soort dingen lees, krijg ik bijna spijt dat ik het fysieke boek gekocht heb. Ik ga dit een 4 geven. Ik vind het stiekem best een lekker album en merk dat ik onbewust op het funky beatje mee begin te knikken.
DO THE HUMPTY HUMP. God, that opener is such a classic, really one of the goofiest and most ridiculous rap songs ever that somehow just works. The whole album sort of falls in line with that one song - just laid-back fun and, at times, nonsense. The sound these guys stick to here walks the very fine line between distinctly '80s hip hop, ala groups like De La Soul, and the new sounds ushered in by guys like ATCQ that were maybe a bit more slick. But the album's personality isn't as finely curated as albums from those two other groups generally are. I'd say it certainly has (and sort of suffers from) a bit of that '80s hip hop clunk, in everything from the production to the rapping to the hooks. It's also a bit too long, and the songs drag on waaaaaaaay longer than they need to; there's a lot of dead air here. But there are quite a few funny standout moments that make this thing impossible to hate - I really meant it when I said this album falls in line with that ridiculous opener. The sort of tongue-in-cheek and comedic nature of it all gives off a Parliament/Funkadelic vibe (a group they were very influenced by), so that's cool at least. I especially liked 'Gutfest 89'' for that exact reason, a genuinely funny song with one of the better beats here. And then there's 'Freaks of the Industry', which takes this whole thing way too far - but I'm also glad it did. But we have to stop making moans a part of these hip hop beats, like it never works, ever (even though this seems to be a cleverly chopped sample that makes it sound that way, my point still stands). 'Packet Man' and 'Dowautchyalike' have these smug vocal rapped/sung bits that also get a chuckle out of me, and the latter has this really nice, and out-of-place piano solo in the latter half. It really makes you realize, this album is about the little moments. And the whole premise behind the psychadelic title track is so stupid, and nothing about it makes sense, but they somehow made me bob my head to it for 7 minutes straight - so they win. So yeah, this album just sort of does its thing for an hour, and then it ends. Don't know if it left an impact on me, but when it was all said and done, I felt oddly satisfied with my time, which is not how I felt at various moments throughout the record, especially in the second half. It's chill, it's cool, it's funny, it's sarcastic, and that's all it tries and needs to be. And it would hurt me physically to give this anything less than a 4 gadamnit - 'cause I'll be humpty humpty'ing till the day I die.
An excellent record. Loved the rhymes and the beats, even today they feel so on point and tight. Liked the concept album nature of it. It grabs your attention more than other hip hop records from the same period of time. A bit long perhaps but the tunes keep you going. The opener and underwater rimes are standouts.
Det va nu litt av et konsept, men det va også et ganske gøy album å høre på på Gardermoen en tidlig søndag morra, så alt i alt e æ e godt fornøyd med bekjentskapet, sjøl om det neppe blir så veldig mye mer.
I mean it's my chance to do THE Hump! Always loved that song, my parents never really censored music around the house so my parents had a 5 and an 8 year old coming up with their own versions of the hump with no understanding of what it was really about. Didn't know another song by the band until this, but it was a great listen anyway, bumped a little for such an iconic song.
Great album. I had heard humpty dance obviously, but not a lot of the others. It was a fun listen and cool to see the risks they took.
that was weird, but good
The Humpty Dance holds a big place in my personal year 1990 playlist. That bass and groove is THICK. I dare you to sit still while it bumps and funks. The overall funk on this record is strong and good. Some songs go on for too long but that’s forgivable, particularly if you let the groove consume you in the way only a hip hop jam from this time period can. I learned through this offering today that 2Pac was a part of the Digital Underground just after this record. How cool is that?!
This is so cheesy and so fun. "Puerto Ricans, do the humpty hump".
I really enjoyed this
RIP Shock G. Lots to love here - humor, good times. But I don’t think DU ever had quite the same finesse as a lot do their peers. Good for a listen, but give me The Pharcyde or Arrested Development.
Peace and humptiness forever, from Cleveland to Samoa! Fun, funny and outright sexy
Almost too cringey, but the jokes and beats got me over the hump.
Solid foundation to 90s HipHop transition.
It's always a little concerning when the first song of an hour long album has 120million listens and the rest of the album doesn't have a quarter of that cumulatively. As expected, "The Humpty Dance" was fire. "Rhymin' on the Funk" is super Tribe feeling. "Underwater Rimes" has a lady speaking at the start, and she is immediately recognizable from something else. I don't know what. The song is OK. "Freaks of the Industry" is hilarious. Solving real problems on behalf of the people. Truly instructional. "Doowutchyalike" was too long but it was pretty dope throughout. "Packet Man" may have been my favorite song. This was a great album. Great beats, very funny. Very smooth flows over classic 80s/90s beats. 7/10
Would give it a 4 just for the Humpty Dance alone. Hilarious and fun with good beats all round.
Another Hip-Hop album? The invention of "Genetic Suppression Relief Antidotes" earns an additional star.
Good at worst, great as best.
I'd only heard this album once or twice before. On this third listen it holds up a lot better. These guys are integral to the development of the West Coast sound--they also gave a career to their young backup dancer, Tupac Shakur. This has a lot of funk elements that later get boosted to their full potential with Dr. Dre and Above the Law. It's a funny concept album as well once you figure out what they are talking about. Condom-sized sex packet drugs that bring sexual relief? Or something? The singles are classics, the Humpty Dance and Doowutchyalike. 4/5
I was not very familiar with the digital underground despite hearing the Humpty Dance innumerable times. This album is great! It has aged like a fine wine.
One of my favorite rap albums of all time. Uniquely entertaining with a funny flow. Responsible for The Humpty Dance and Doowhuchyalike, both bangers that got played all the time at dances and parties. Great use of jazz and samples from before everything got locked down in copyright wars. Yes, it objectifies women (and sometimes men) so perhaps has not aged well, but at least it’s part of the theme on this science fiction concept album. Also responsible for helping to launch the career of Tupac. RIP Tupac and Shock G! 4⭐️
Pretty good stuff.
This was surprisingly good, and probably the most dedicated hip hop concept album I've heard. A lot of the songs are a bit awkward to blast out your speakers, but it was good!
Pls stop moaning in the songs I stop listening then :(
Everybody knows “The Humpty Dance,” but honestly before listening to this I couldn’t have told you a thing about who even sang it. Turns out, the whole album is just as wild as that one track, and in a good way. These guys were a horny bunch, no doubt about it, but they leaned into it with humor and creativity that keeps it fun. I cracked up at “Gutfest ’89,” and both “Sex Packets” and “Packet Man” are just ridiculous in the best way. Who else is writing full-on concept songs about illegally selling pills that give you realistic sex dreams? You gotta be on some good stuff to come up with that idea, but they pulled it off with style. “Doowutchyalike” was another highlight, especially the way they broke the fourth wall and just messed around with the audience. It feels loose, playful, and ahead of its time in a lot of ways. Overall, it’s a hilarious and surprisingly smart record, even if the whole thing is wrapped up in absurdity. Favorite song: Gutfest '89
Boom! This was a pretty wild ride, a spicy concept executed funkily
🎵 Day 33 / Digital Underground – Sex Packets (1990) 🗯 Old-school funk, absurdist skits, and a dash of social satire — Sex Packets is a trip. Literally. This was the crew that discovered 2Pac, but here the spotlight belongs to Shock G and his alter ego Humpty Hump. “The Humpty Dance” was the breakout hit, a party anthem that’s still instantly recognisable — though not everyone got the joke. Shock G copped flak for leaning into Humpty’s cartoonish voice and fake nose, with some critics dismissing it as a gimmick. But the humour was intentional, a way of satirising hip hop personas while still dropping serious grooves. The album blends Parliament-Funkadelic-style bass lines with Golden Age hip hop playfulness. Live drums pop up alongside drum machines, giving the beats a looseness you don’t always hear from that era. The concept — a fictional pill that simulates sex — is absurd in the best way, with storytelling that swerves from sly to surreal. Innovative for its day, and still a blast now. Funky, freaky, and full of personality — Sex Packets is proof that hip hop can be weird and still hit hard. Verdict: Essential (for funk-rap history, fearless concept work, and pure weird joy) For fans of: Parliament, De La Soul, early 2Pac, and not taking yourself too seriously.
4.2
Some of the songs towards the end weren't great but the overall album was quite enjoyable.
Enjoyable, liked to dance while listening to this.
This was awesome
super good listen. i really appreciate how these older rap groups have a deeper understanding and love of music as an institution than some of the modern artists today do
Fun, inventive hip hop. An extension and reinvention of P-Funk
Silly hip hop/rap album. Kinda funny in a cringe way, I liked the sex packets lore. I enjoyed it but it's probably not something I'd listen to in front of most people. Best song: The Humpty Dance Notable(s): Doowutchyalike, The Way We Swing, Rhymin' On The Funk
172/1089 - Pretty standard Hip Hop to my knowledge, but it's nice to see some funky West Coast stuff without grating sounds. For whatever reason, I'm not a fan of moaning in music (this one, Ready to Die, Appetite for Destruction, etc.).
Bumpin'! Fun, kept the flow going.
If this album was to be condensed into one word, it would have to be “cool”. It’s the best type of hip hop, when there is a heavy funk influence. I also felt cool when I recognised the sample of Chameleon by Herbie Hancock in Underwater Rimes. This reminded be somewhat of Nenah Cherry, which is definitely a big compliment. I enjoyed this quite a lot.
This one surprised me--I did not know DU beyond Humpty a character that turned me off the group. But, the group overall is rooted and funk and this is some high level old school (kind of transitioning to Tribe Called Quest - type sound with standard MC rhymes). I think my only knock is the length of the songs when they just start repeating. I'm sad I didn't get into them when they were FRESH!
Fun fact: the Humpty Dance was invented by Tupac Shakur. Straight from Queen Latifah's mouth.
great stuff
Pretty cool, original album. Like the sample and lyrics
All of the stars for Humpty Dance, but pleasantly surprised by the rest of this album. Underwater Rimes might be my new themesong? hahaa
I don't like hip-hop or rap. But maybe that's not completely true. This sounds decidedly 90s in a good way, and the lyrics are a riot. Favorite track: The Humpty Dance, but the whole album is consistent
Takes me back to living in downtown Oakland back when this was out and you could hear it from car radios...
Awesome album, didn't listen to it back in the day. Glad I did now.
The production is simply amazing, the innovative mix of hip-hop and jazz, the sampling and the small musical moments like the ending of "Freaks of the Industry" are really good. Musically, this album is simply flawless. Shock G is great, charismatic and creates an interesting character in Humpty. The lyrics and flows are also very well crafted, and the group's talent, particularly Shock G's are undeniable. The biggest flaw I find with the album is the execution of the concept. The concept in itself is interesting enough, and the album cohesively builds around varied commentary about sex. But not all of it has aged too well. While the parody and exaggeration are certainly a big part of the concept, I feel like they miss the mark with the tone in some parts, for example, the women in cages in "Gutfest '89". There is relevant commentary about safe sex for example, and it's an interesting exploration of sexuality through a concept album, which is far ahead of its time in my opinion. To do this in an album that's musically so good should merit 5 stars. But I can't take away from the fact that what was an forward look on sex in the 80/90s, today just feels outdated in places that are too relevant to ignore.
What a wild record. This is kind of amazing sexy hip hop. It’s absolutely too much and way over the top, but in its own way that kind of makes it great? A concept album about a futuristic pill that satisfies sexual desire?!? It’s ambitious, it’s silly, it’s groovy, it’s a mess. But it’s also kind of perfect. You can also hear how so much of this record influences contemporary rap and hip hop. Nikki Minaj or Megan Thee Stallion don’t happen without this record.
'I use a word that don't mean nothin', like looptid.' For a goof, they get real on this one, conceptualizing the basic integration of sex and commerce: 'Yeah, one big stupid butt nest / And I'm'a get mine at Gutfest.' Shock G is not quite Lewis Carroll, but unlike other alternative rap outfits at the time (De La, Jungle, Tribe, etc.), he doesn't just know how to affirm w/ off-color rhymes, but he employs nonsense to make a whole lot of sense. 'The Humpty Dance' and 'Doowutchyalike' are funk classics, but the ingenuity of the record clarifies on the second track, which samples Hendrix's 'Who Knows' from Band of Gypsys. Not quite a perfect album, since it's too long and plods in moments, but it's an enduring product: 'it's so real - it is real.'
Twenty-five years ago I would’ve given this five stars. I appreciated their heavy use of funk, predominantly Patent/Funkdelic, and sense of humor, especially against the backdrop of the rap scene at the time, which was leaning hard into gangsta rap. DU was more akin to the other bands of that era that I enjoyed, like Arrested Development and Trice Called Quest, but still unique. Now, the largely singular focus of one topic wears old and sad on me. The Humpty Dance is still a solid song, as is Dowhatchalike, but the rest just kind of fill me with - what is it the kids are calling it these days? - the ick? Yeah, that’s what it is. Oh, Underwater Rimes is pretty amusing. They rhyme “lobster” and “mobster,” so that’s a win. And Danger Zone is an interesting break with depth. If I heard this for the first time today it would probably only get 3/5, but I’ve listened to this album a hundred times in the past and struggle to give it less than 4.
Despite the interesting title, this is still some pretty damn good old school hiphop. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
Sex Packets is the debut album from Digital Underground. They brought irreverent humor to their raps, with goofy songs like the "Humpty Hump," and "Doowutchyulike," all with a funky bass line and melodic sampling. Most of Digital Underground's samples came from Parliament-Funkadelic, making the album something of an homage to P-Funk. Digital Underground pushed hip-hop towards a silly, jazzy sound - far from the gangster rap that dominated the era.
Whoever invents sex packets first will be a quadrillionaire. Also, the Humpty Dance is legendary.
If the A Tribe Called Quest album from the same year is a little closer to the rap Pet Sounds or at least rap Today! then this one is much more like Sex Rap Safari or Sex Rap USA. In other words really corny and dated and a little slipshod in places but also oodles of fun. Humpty Dance is tbh a kinda garbage start but on The Way We Swing they cue up Hendrix Band Of Gypsys and it becomes a good record again. Whole album is a mega Will Smith-athon because the grooves constantly evoke Fresh Prince Of Bel Air and on Underwater Rimes even a bit of Shark Tale. Gutfest 89, Freaks Of The Industry, Doowutchyalike and entire Packets suite all ribald highs. The Danger Zone dullest low.
Classic hip hop
4 stars! I really like the FREAKS OF THE INDUSTRY song.
I like it and it's a great party album, but I'm not a party DJ anymore so I don't think I'd add it to my collection. 20 years ago I should have had it.
Great beats and table-turning, not a fan of the braggadocios 90s vocal style
Pretty funky. Good samples. Hendrix, Parliament, Herbie Hancock. Lyrics could be a lil silly tho
very interesting. i fw most of it but some of the songs were very drawn out
Loved it until we got to the packets. Which makes me feel like I missed the point.
Look, it's really hard to follow The Humpty Dance. It's also really hard to listen to this album while at work without becoming very paranoid that my earbuds leak sound. I really enjoyed the instrumentation and funk sound on this and I guess I have a lot of openness to really stupid cheesy horndog song material. 3.5
I liked this. The only song I was familiar with was The Humpty Dance which was on a mix tape my cousin made and I thought it was so cool then. I still think it's so cool now. The album was definitely goofy in some parts. But I loved a lot of the songs on the first listen.
ahhh Humpty 😍😍
god amigo hipi yop yop yop
I like the way these guys schwing
The production is immaculate, the flows are distinctly late 80s, and the lyrics are playfully cheesy. Just a fun time the whole way through. The only real issue is that so many song go on for 6+ minutes; One even nearly hits 9 minutes! For some songs I don't even mind it, but some of those tracks need cut down a bit. Could cut at least 10 minutes off this record and not miss much.
Very old school, unique style but I got a bit tired of those simple 80s raps. The genre has evolved over the years.
Reminds me of music from pingu
Rap with questionable lyrics _can_ be combined with cool grooves! Who would have thunked it?
Pretty good. Different, I like that.
Genuinely exciting to find more older hip-hop that I enjoy. This has a great funky early 90s feel. Not quite a 5* for me but definitely a 4*. Great vibes music wise, some of the lyrics did not age well but they are certainly of their time. I tend to try to overlook that. The last few songs lose the thread a little bit for me so that's why it's more of a 4* than a 5* for me.
Finally something I can dance to! I love it. Definitely didn't remember that this album was called sex packets lol
Part of the originals, trend setting and ground breaking.
Entertaining.
Great old school rap hip hop
Funky funny hip hop
"Sex Packets" is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground. It is a concept album based on large pills which are in condom-size package and developed by the government to provide users a satisfied sexual experience in situations where such experiences would be counterproductive to the mission at hand. Oh, Boy! The album had positive reviews and did well commercially hitting #24 in the US and #59 in the UK. The second single "The Humpty Dance" opens the album. A funky hip hop beat. Shock G on the mic as he describes his sexual prowess despite his ugly looks. Some absolutely great rhymes in this song. "Gutfest '89" opens with a guy talking about a conference with a bunch of great bands and, of course, Digital Underground closing. The jazzy music starts with a quick hip hop beat. Large girls in cages fighting naked at Gutfest, y'all. "Freaks of the Industry" gets the bass going with a chill vibe. You can't go wrong sampling Diana Ross and Donna Summer. Well, maybe you can but they didn't. The first released song was "Doowutchyalike." It's a busy song with multiple rappers. There's horns, a groovy dance beat and scratching. For some reason, I thought of Bell Biv DeVoe. Do what you like. Be who you are. "Sex Packets" is smooth and jazzy. A nice job of sampling Prince. They describe, well, the sex packets being all over the town. This was a fun album. It is funny, has clever lyrics and carries that ridiculous concept through the album. The music is funky and jazzy at times. They make repetitive jokes about the sexual packets. There's nice use of sampling particularly Parliament and Prince. There's an overall chill vibe. This album is definitely worth going back for a listen.
I don't think the concept of this album deserves a whole hour to be fully understood to be honest. Other than that it is actually entertaining enough and it made me smile a few times with its silliness which I actually appreciate.
Aah hip hop concept albums
Crass but good sound
Much better than I anticipated. Early 90's hip hop is much better than I gave it credit for. Best Song: Underwater Rimes
Really exiting album. I don't think I have heard something like this before.
Quite funky, also quite silly, definitely more memorable than the others on here
Havde svært ved at beslutte mig for om det her var helt åndssvagt eller virkelig fedt. Endte med "virkelig fedt" fordi det gik på for mig at det minder mig ret meget om Malk de Koijn. Virkelig virkelig quotable tekster, nice beats der ikke rigtig lyder som andet hip hop på det her tidspunkt
That was a fun album. I had only ever heard the single the Humpty Dance, the rest of the album was quite enjoyable
It's so immersive, like I'm at an underground club
Cool
This was great! The songs are the real stars, pushed to the front in the production and allowed the space to dominate. The minimal use of the Hammond organ adds a little variety. It doesn't grab you by the balls and say LISTEN TO ME. The quality spoke for itself. So good I played it twice.
Wild concept, fantastic production. Some dated stuff, but very fun and cool.
Loved the funkiness but the vocals lacked energy
Pretty great 90s hiphop. Upbeat, funky and having a laugh.
4.0
Knowing that George Clinton and Bootsy Collins produced The Humpty Dance, explains the fun funky vibe. Hip hop was mostly gangsta rap by this point. So this was a good reprieve from the anger, a reminder that music can be enjoyable. This is a lot better than I expected. Good beats, nice samples, decent raps, chill and positive vibe. If anything, maybe the songs are a little long, but that’s nitpicking. All the P Funk bits are a welcomed delight. I will say that songs like Freaks of the Industry made adolescent boys an absolute nightmare to deal with at the time. While it’s totally fine for adults, this kind of stuff added fuel to fire for Tipper Gore’s warning label campaign. It made it easier to censor explicit political language, which was more popular. This is why we can’t have nice things. Overall, this is a pretty good album. Solid groove throughout. Nothing terribly annoying. Nice range, easy to enjoy.
RIP Shock G 🕊️🕊️🕊️
SO MUCH FUN, ITS SCIFI HIP HOP LOL. aside- tupac technically got his start in this group. This is so funky and groovy and it is silly af just every song is so hot and heavy I can imagine dancing in the club to this record. Humpty Dance to start is such a bop and a classic. You go into the way we swing tells you all you need to know about the album, they take the teachings of the furious Five and become these raunchy and funny rappers. The beats are also so eclectic and well mixed and has that old school feel while also being hype af. The album takes a lul in the middle with The Danger zone and Freaks of the industry but has a strong concept to end the album. The idea of a Sex packet is a clear motif on the opioid crisis in the 80s and it just shows how easily addiction can happen but doesn't really go much deeper but it is good to have some nuance to this conversation of comparing drugs to a sex drug. I really liked this and I want more B-boy and fun hip hop like this now.
funky. lots of drugs
Liked it a lot and would give it a five but the dated lyrics took it down one for making it sometimes hard to enjoy.
normal
Groovy
the humpty dance- we already know. 7 or 8 the way we swing- 6 rhymin on the funk- 6 the new jazz one- um underwater rimes- it feels like it would play in a knuckles mission in sonic adventure 2. 7 gutfest- 8 danger zone- 6 or 7 freaks of the industry- 7 doowutchyalike- its ok but theres no reason it should be 9 minutes packet prelude- yeah sex packets- ok. 5 or 6 street scene- what packet man- 6. why was she 17 bro packet reprise- ok
It's pretty silly sometimes, but I usually have a big bias towards most old-school hip hop. So foar stahrs it is.
Foxy
Hip Hop wie er sein sollte, jazzy und funky mit coolen Versen - naja, hochstehend sind die Texte ja nicht.
Not bad, slaps
Day55 - shock g(rip) was an under appreciated writer, rapper. doowutchyalike is awesome. this is a fun album and the sound is so much better than the doo doo mumble rappers.
Such a fun and funky album.
El rap no es mi fuerte pero las bases molan
fun album, not 100% 4 me, underwater rimes rules. i get it but when i see random fatphobic shit i mentally clock out lol. the way they sampled sly and the family stone and then their song got sampled by like nwa and [other group i forgot] makes me so insane to remember ppl who r like still alive or could be in the entangled web. it kinda repeats a lot. packet man was p fun i think idk my memorys bad :c 4 cause it seems important or w/e 3 in my mind bc its just kinda eh to me maybe more context would change that but im bad at searching!
No way Humpty made it on the list! lol this is wild. Wait NO! I just read that he died in 2021! Man what a bummer. Never heard more than Humpty Dance, this was actually pretty solid bars, especially for 1990
Classic Hip Hop. In my rotation when I was in high school.
The way I like my hip hop: silly. 3.5
Way better than I remembered! I can see why they got air time for this one.
9 year old me thought The Humpty Dance was the greatest song of ALL TIME! I mostly don't still feel that way but actually liked this album more than I thought I would. Good, fun, humorous hip hop
Very cool album, encapsulates 90s RnB/Rap absolutely perfectly. If I had one complaint it would be that the songs are a little long, which can cause some slight boredom towards the ends of some of the longer tracks. 6:00 it’s too long for this style of RnB.
Lovely stuff
Favorite Songs: The Humpty Dance The way we swing You start listening to this album and start to feel a sudden urge to buy a 64 impala and bounce through the streets. Amazing funky old school hip hop album.
It's one of those late golden age records that tried doing their own thing and never caught on, making it a one-of-a-kind record. It's wacky and silly, following in both spirit and methodology with P-funk, with more focused, developed samples and grooves, and a light, fun, interactive MC persona. This is in contrast to the hardcore abrasive style that G-funk would late adopt. Main weakness is the length. No reason for each for almost every song to be around 6 minutes. There are several weak songs that have little going for them except a nice groove, occasional impressive sample use, and some funny lines. Even the tracks I did really lack started to lose their appeal in the latter half, and I was ok with it only for the chill funky vibe. Super creative, and almost every track did stand out. Just improve the weaker ones, and cut the lengths. Favorites: Humpty Dance, Underwater Rimes, Freaks of the Industry, Sex Packets, The Packet Man
Pretty frothy? Songs go on way too long
The verse that they rap from the perspective of a fish on "Underwater Rimes" is transcendent.
On Prince levels of horny. The levity in the rhymes and vibe just really sell this thing, even if I think some of the tracks (and the album) drag in certain spots. The beats are still absolutely killer though. Also "The Humpty Dance" is an all-time classic, and if you disagree, I just can't be friends with you. Favorite tracks: "The Humpty Dance", "Doowutchyalike", "Underwater Rimes"
"Sex Packets" is a groundbreaking and unforgettable album in the world of hip-hop. Digital Underground, led by the charismatic and eccentric Shock G (also known as Humpty Hump), delivered a unique and highly creative blend of funky beats, witty lyrics, and an overall sense of irreverence that set them apart from their contemporaries. The album kicks off with the infectious "The Humpty Dance," which remains one of the group's most iconic tracks. It's a perfect example of Digital Underground's ability to craft catchy, humorous, and danceable music. Shock G's alter ego, Humpty Hump, introduced listeners to a quirky character that added an extra layer of fun and personality to their music. What sets "Sex Packets" apart is its conceptual framework. The album's overarching theme is the fictional "Sex Packets," a futuristic drug that transports users to a virtual sexual experience. The concept provides a satirical commentary on the commercialization and objectification of sex in popular culture, but it's delivered with a sense of humor that keeps the album from becoming overly preachy or heavy-handed. Songs like "The Danger Zone" and "Packet Prelude" further contribute to the album's narrative and world-building. "Packet Man" and "Underwater Rimes (Remix)" showcase the group's lyrical prowess and ability to tackle a wide range of topics, not just limited to the central concept of the album. One of the album's standout tracks is "Doowutchyalike," which encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not conform to societal norms. It's an empowering anthem that remains relevant even decades after its release. In addition to its innovative content, "Sex Packets" is musically rich. It's a fusion of P-Funk-inspired funk, sample-based hip-hop, and a touch of G-funk that was gaining prominence on the West Coast at the time. The production by Shock G and Kenny-K is top-notch, and the use of live instruments alongside samples adds depth to the sound. Digital Underground's ability to seamlessly blend humor, social commentary, and funky music is truly remarkable. "Sex Packets" is not just an album; it's a full-fledged experience that takes you on a journey through the group's offbeat and imaginative world. It's a reminder of the playful and inventive spirit of early '90s hip-hop. In conclusion, "Sex Packets" by Digital Underground is a classic and influential hip-hop album that should be celebrated for its creativity, humor, and musical ingenuity. It's a must-listen for any hip-hop enthusiast and a testament to the innovative spirit of the genre during that era.
So glad to now know where Coach Z got his licks from
hip hopzao nask
It was an okay album very diffrent from what i listen normally but nun the less it was good
Enjoyed this one, though it did run a bit long.
So much fun, this would surely have been my favourite album if I'd first heard it at 14 or so. Even with more than a few extra years on me, still great. Like the P-funk party style with some interesting production at times
Okay, I admit that I've never heard of Digital Underground before, despite being a huge fan of music of all genres, including hip-hop. I guess I was a little bit young. But I'm so glad I found them. This record is so awesome; great lyrics and really innovative use of samples throughout, particularly the use of Parliament's "Flash Light", which IS a song I know! Getting some strong DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince vibes from this, but I guess it's just the early 90s production. Favourite tracks: Doowutchyalike, Sex Packets.
Strong 4, all the stuff I like about 90s hip hop
What a dirtyyyy album, very cool, i was excited because i already had the firdt song saved 4/5
The humpty dance! That alone makes it a 4. The rest is golden age of hip hop which confirms the four.
Fun and funny with a sound I never get tired of
this cover looks like a parody honestly. what is in the packet? dehydrated sex crystals? rehydrate and GET FUCKED!! anyways, album is iconic
Humpty fun and middle school boy sex grabbing, but it's all for fun
Kind of enjoyed this....surprisingly....kind of a combo of rap and funk
I hadn't heard this before, so I didn't really know what I was in for. The cover art and concept are mad but it really works. I love the growly bass on The Humpty Dance and a few other songs. It's a really groovy and funny album throughout, really creative too. The concept makes me think of the Fifth Element, Sex Packets (and this album) sound like something that could exist in that universe.
Classic album. I had it on cassette back in the day, and this was a fun trip back in time. "The Humpty Dance" is legendary, but there's plenty more to like here. "Freaks of the Industry" and "Doowutchyalike" are particularly memorable, and "Underwater Rimes" is a silly track that's always reminded me of Kip Addotta's pun-filled "Wet Dream." And that's one of the thing's that sets the Underground apart from most hip-hop acts; in an age where gangsta rap was starting to take hold of the industry, they weren't afraid to ditch the bravado, slap on a giant fake nose, and get goofy with it. Gotta love it.
Reminds me of the late 80s & the school dances I'd go. Loved doing the Humpty Dance. Good times.
More than just the two big singles this album is so dope! The musicianship is outstanding, Shock G was a beast and really underrated, they were hip hops answer to Parliament Funkadelic!
With a hip hop album from this time period, there are bound to be more than a few incredibly dated moments. This album is no exception. It is however, a very fun album that samples prodigiously from funk and soul records giving Digital Underground a very tangible connection to the music they are descended from. Lyrically, this album is all over the place. I laughed out loud at several points, and found the sex packets song cycle a bit out of place interesting though it was. I suppose that's why this album is on this list; it is a fascinating slice of hip hop history.
Some cringeworthy, outdated themes but I do love me some old school hip hop.
bay area rap from the 90s is fucking insane the samples on this record rule, 90s rap rules, long live digital underground
RIP Shock G
Incredibly hilarious!!! Concept album!!! Hehheh... Ei paljoa meikäläistä naurata... Hyvä flow.. Dumtsiga dum dum...
Unique for its time, and is still brilliant
6/9 humpty dumped
So this is the humpty dance
Like this a lot. Good old school rap.
Classic
Wish I’d heard these guys in 1990! Sadly (?), my limited listening time today was focused on getting geared up for the Oils’ last ever show at the Palais. But from what I heard, I’ll be back to hear the rest.
I knew nothing about the band or the album. And when listening to the opening track, The Humpty Dance, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear much more. Then the Hendrix sample on The Way We Swing got me totally interested & I have to say I loved this album. The title track is terrific, as is Rhymin On The Funk, both with Parliament samples, and I was also taken by Underwater Rimes, which felt like a hip-hop version of The B-52’s Rock Lobster. The impersonation of Edward G. Robinson’s gangster persona is a scream. And I loved the final track, Doowutchyalike. It said a lot about the band’s approach to music, as well as life. This is one of the most soulful hip-hop albums I’ve ever heard. A great listen.
"Man, if I get another VCR imma hurt somebody." is possibly the best closing line to any album ever. Loved the production on this, some of it is obviously dated, but mostly it was just good fun.
There sure aren't all that many hip hop concept albums, and this might even be the first. The first few tracks had me questioning my sanity. Is this ICP? Nope. ICP don't rap about underwater concerts. With 30 years reflection, this seems - well - kinda childish. I'd imagine that some 14 year olds would snigger along to the lyrics. Despite that, it's classic hip hop done actually pretty well, with good beats and excellent flow. Sure, some tracks needed the judicious application of the "skip" button but in the main, I quite enjoyed it.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: doowutchyalike, sex packets, freaks of the industry
Kolejny pik ktorego bym sie nie spodziewal po bialej wyspiarskiej liscie, bo murzynski rap z gatunku konceptowych wariacji lat 90, Sex Packets to debiutancki krazek grupy Digital Underground, ktorej twarza, a raczej nosem byl Shock G, ale kolektyw znany byl z tego, ze przewinelo sie przez niego sporo postaci z rapowej gry zachodniego wybrzeza, nawet 2pac troche sie wypromowal zaakrecajac sie na projektach digitalowych, co do samego krazka, to plyta pochodzi z poczatku lat 90, wiec jest bogato wyprawiona w sample. az dziwne ze nadal wisi na spotifaju, bo sporo materialu z tamtego okresu jest zbyt osamplowane, zeby mozna bylo je grac na strimingu, ponad godzina funkodeli z tlustymi rymami o zabarwieniu mocno hedonistycznie komicznym, bo konceptem plyty jest genetic suppression relief antidotes, wiec pigula po ktorej ma byc czlekowi dobrze, gdy nie moze zrobic sobie dobrze, bo ma wazne zeby do roboty, ale oczywiscie czarne zloczynce uzywaja ich do niecnych celow o ktorych opowiada wlasnie ten album, od strony instrumentalnej slychac parliamentowe sample, daddy kane, hendrixa czy hancocka, wiec czarno to sluchac, na tym funkowych instrumentalach czesto dochodzi do dialogow, monologow i prawdziwych dysput, bo mimo tego ze glownym bohaterem jest pan Shock G jako Humpty Hump, ale przewijaja sie takze inny bohaterowie jak Kenny K, czy Money B, ktory rowniez wnosza cos lirycznego od siebie, wiec nie jest to nudna godzina, fajnie sobie odswiezyc takiego klasyka, zwlaszcza ze brakuje na liscie albumow z jajcem, a taki wlasnie humorek przemyca sex packets, na plejke leci openingowy the humpty dance i doowutchyalike, tak w ogole nie czuc tego, ze jest to debiutancki material grupy, bo tworza az tak pewna atmosfere jak prawdziwe freaki tego industri, ale z drugiej strony nie kojarze duzo z ich pozniejszej dyskografii
Strong an consistent rap album from the golden age that i was not familiar with in advance.
The group, mostly Shock G by the sound of it, produce sex-raps in a low-gonzoness/high-legibility vein. That niche and the unique sound of the thing quickly earned my respect. That said, I continue to not get the p-funk beats which underlie Sex Packets: Just too slow and low-fi. The listening experience was a descent into discomfort.
This album definitely grew on me as it went on. The songs do run a bit long for no good reason, but overall this album was a very fun listen.
Very naughty and a lot of fun - and funky. I enjoyed this one!
An album that doesn't get enough praise from the golden era / sample era of hip hop. I think most tracks could shave a minute or so off of them.
Groovie old school hip-hop
Great album - really funky early hip hop, with the iconic Humpty Dance and several other head bobbing tracks. Definitely some mature subject matter, but absent a lot of the "I'm going to kill everyone" lyricism of the genre from later in the decade.
Very cool, very rude.
The Humpty Dance is a bop. Gutfest 89 is fun. The sheer amount of Parliament samples is quite impressive. Doowhutchyalike is a send up to early 90's hedonism. Its an afrofuturistic hedonistic album about sex and unrequited desire.
What's interesting about this album is that so many of the samples sound familiar, but I can't tell if they originate here or are sampled from something famous. Certainly there is a huge P-Funk influence on this album, which fits into the context of what was happening elsewhere in West Coast hip-hop. A lot of the rap from this era doesn't age well because of the mysogeny, homophobia, and cartoonishly violent content, but this album still sounds good 4/5
Zimbabwe got a shoutout on The Way We Swing.
Very entertaining , fun, funny album. The music is not as compelling for me as Fun Lovin' Criminals, but still really good and enjoyable, just as a general commentary....Rap / hiphop albums tend to be TOO LONG!!! Please, please, please being back the 40 minute album. 3.75 🌟
Fun, early 90s hip hop
30 years in the past/future. RIP
.
Really enjoyed this, loads of big samples and amazing how many peeps have sampled this album!
totally hated the first few tracks on this album but it really started growing on me. extra comedic virile Tribe Called Quest vibes. some creative old-school beats too
Classic old-school hip-hop. Do the Humpty Hump!
Enjoyed this v much 👌🏽
90s backpack hip hop? Yes please. Great lyrics, funky production and all round good vibes. Saved to Spotify.
Really cool vibes. Like the Beastie Boys, another album with sampling at it's heart. But this one has been sampled itself a LOT by all kinds of people, really interesting to read and listen to all those tracks too. Big influence on backpack hiphop. Best discovery of this thing so far 7.5/10
A bit too long, but at its good moments it is a perfect hip hop funk jazz record to make you feel... just great!!
As this Era of hip-hop is more of a blindspot for me, I quite enjoyed getting a taste of Westcoast classics, and seeing where my tastes originate from a bit.
Everyone loves the Humpty Dance, but I don't remember listening to the whole album before.
solid 90s rap
pretty nice
Прикольний розважальний хіп-хоп. Біти танцювальні. Репчик кумедний. Єдина претензія це те, наскільки ж він довгий. Деякі пісні можна було, буквально, вдвічі меншими зробити, і альбом від цього тільки виграв би. Але маємо, що маємо. Оцінка: середня-висока 6
..........I didn't know "The Humpty Dance" was, or needed to be, 6 and 1/2 minutes long. Now that's a song that really benefits from an abridged version. In fact, most of these songs could be cut down by a minute or 2 to make something that has a little more energy to it. All of these mid-tempo grooves are nice in isolation but forcing them to repeat endlessly over a VERY dated old-school flow makes these would-be party anthems into a slog to get through. The "concept" of this record - something about quarter-sized pills for sexual potency, or something like that - is also somewhat lost since each song more or less talks about the exact same thing the exact same way. Despite all those shortcomings, these beats are immaculate especially for the era they came out of, being the tail end of old-old-school hip hop and all. Each one is memorable and wonderfully mixed; it's just a shame that the rhymes can't keep up with them more than half the time. Many of these beats are begging for an MC to recount some crimes or rough story, but they're given the dirty bar treatment basically every time. An important listen to if you want to see where hip hop started really getting ambitious, but you have to be prepared to listen to the same type of bars a whole lot. Also a pretty racy album lyrically, which wasn't out of the ordinary even at the time but you can expect straight up moaning on the beat like in "Freaks of the Industry." Key Tracks: The Humpty Dance, The Way We Swing, Gutfest '89, Freaks of the Industry
Enjoyed it more than I expected, but it’s not something I’m rushing to listen to again.
Can’t get over the fact that he sounds like Roger from American Dad in the opening track
fun. but id rather pick up de la soul or digable planets tbh. 3.5
This was pretty fun. I knew a couple of songs and this was generally pretty light hearted for a hip hop album. Good funky groove.
They are debuting with a concept album? A concept album about illusory sex pills? That's courageous. Interesting concept/story, unique, creative, has a sense of humor about itself, magically free of slurs (so it CAN be done), I appreciate that they brought their own pianist. Vocals are nice and something about it reminds me of the podcast "Adventures in New America" (afrofuturism storytelling, I guess). It is certainly sexist, tasteless and sleazy in places but it's no worse than 'Ready to Die'. "Sexist" and "sleazy" is, unfortunately, what I expect from hip hop in general (though I'm always in the market for artists that prove me wrong). I guess in the end it balances itself out to a solid 'ehh, pretty ok'. At least they encourage safe sex.
I enjoyed this. Pretty melodic.
Not my favorite of the early 90s hip hop albums (an incredibly strong and fun and experimental time for hip hop), but there’s still lots here to enjoy.
5/10
Pretty good flow on this one and a really tight and punchy kick/bass drum that comes in hard and doesn't stick around very long. I really enjoyed that in particular. But obviously that can't entirely carry the album Standouts The Humpty Dance Freaks of the Industry 3/5
This is an insanely horny album. Better than I expected.
eh, alright, not bad
Lots of things to enjoy about this album. They were a bit flippant with the assigned 65 minute run time
A fun, vulgar, and ultimately harmless blast of old-school hip-hop. Not everything has to be extremely serious to be good. These guys are funny and were groundbreaking at the time.
I should like everything about this album. I think if the lyrics were just a little more diverse or tracks a little more fun/bumpy I could see this as an all timer
Unique. I’ll give it 3 sex packets out of 5
This was fun and had a lot to like. Unfortunately, "a lot" is still not enough to justify the album running 65+ minutes long. The length really made the album's gimmick become more grating than enjoyable. Musically and compositionally, the album fits pretty clearly in the late 80s/early 90s. The vocal deliveries often added to that feeling. While the instrumentation had a few stand out parts, it didn't really do anything that notable. I'm not sure if the concept really made it better or worse. It was entertaining, at least. Really, though, the issue boils down to run time for me. Despite the weirdness, I could definitely enjoy this for 40ish minutes. And I think I did, for the most part. But some of the songs just went on and on. As did the album itself. And this was apparently the short version (the cassette runs another 15 minutes per the wiki). It was too much for what they were doing. I liked this enough, but its flaws really bring it down a few notches for me. As a whole, I found it more fine than good. Overall: 2.6/5
The Humpty Dance is a classic, love that song! The rest of the album was alright, nothing really stood out to me as good or bad.
Eriniert mich an Tribe called Quest habs eig enjoyed, am meisten: The way we swing Underwater Rimes aber freaks of the industry schon crazy freaky. da haben sie echt den nagel auf den Kopf getroffen wtf
Awesome album tbh, though a bit overlong. Glad I finally got the chance to do the hump. Also real Lonely Island heads know these guys aren’t the real freaks of the industry
i used to listen to this album all the time (never considered it to be afrofuturist until now) but the voice that shock g does when hes playing humpty hump makes me laugh soooo much. anyways the fun fact about these guys is that 2pac was their backup dancer for a long time and thats basically how i knew about them originally. fun tunes!
Humpty dance 4 life. My earliest memory of a babysitter is getting taught the accompanying dance to this song in the kitchen of my childhood home at approximately age 4 or 5.
The pervy soul of a 2 Live Crew album and the energy of classic early 90s hip hop. Humpty is still a classic.
Fun! But is it a law for all hip hop albums to be at least 15 minutes too long?
Es Hip hop puro, se siente la calle, lo internacional, sonidos represantivos, a mi me gusta bastante y es de mis géneros favoritos , lo disfrute no seria algo que guarde en mi playlist pero si un dia quiero escuchar hipo hop sin duda lo escucharía
Total time capsule of an album. Sense of humor goes a long way here, but it starts to wear out its welcome down the road a bit. Chuck Klosterman says the 90s didn't start until '91 when the Berlin wall fell. By that logic, this album is definitely an 80s hip hop record. You can see some themes and ideas that were going to be bigger with gangsta rap, but this album is a little too Sugar Hill Gang for me.
Surprised to see this here. Three stars for some cool samples, and of course the Humpty Dance. wtf
Fine. Humpty Dance is so good though
não eh ruim não, tem uns beats legais mas eh mei longo e sem mta variedade... pelo menos não se leva tanto a sério, então tá na média aí
Respect it, but it's not for me. Definitely has some choices I haven't heard before.
I have a couple thoughts. 1) I can definitely see why this was popular and influential. The beats on this are really good. 2) As it seems with a lot of late 80s/early 90s hip hop, these lyrics age very poorly. 3) I feel like they could have cut out a lot of the sex packets stuff and had a better album that aged a little better. 4) OR they lean entirely into the sex packets stuff and explore more into how people would react to/use these packets. Either direction would have produced a better album I think
Мощно. Sex Packets могла длиться и все 10 минут, честно, не хотел, чтобы она заканчивалась.
Lyrical and kind of nasty. It's actually rather funny.
It’s not the worst. Sometimes a little repetitive. It’s quite tongue in cheek but some parts and tracks are bangers
Good but not quite something Im looking for all the time even in its own genre.
Leuke old school hiphop, extra ster voor het goofy concept
The Humpty Dance and Doowutchyalike notwithstanding is a pretty forgettable late 80s hip hop album. It's dated by now, but still a fun listen.
Ok
This was objectively bad. Dated bars, dated beats. But I had a wail of a time listening to it. Visibly and audibly cringed at moments. Literally terrible and overlong but loved it (kind of) parodically. Entertaining for sure.
Lyrical genius I like my oatmeal lumpy My nose is big like a pickle Last night underwater I saw a French mermaid
It’s alright… some cool beats
ma name is humpty! !& underwater
Wait, this is a concept album? That concept was lost on me and my junior high classmates in the rural American Midwest when this album was released and we all were enjoying Humpty Dance.
Funkadelic hip hop
Oh man, 90s hybrid rnb/hip hop. Even they admit they aren’t clear what they are, but it’s fun and a vibe It definitely set the scene for great things.
This is very much an album with low-key vibes, it has pretty melodic hooks (mainly early on) and of course has the iconic line of "Hey, fat girl, come here are you ticklish?" in it; that line is as classic as it gets in hip-hop. The rappers from the Digital Underground seem pretty witty with their wordplay, especially Humpty Hump himself, I had trouble keeping up with who was rapping but he was one that I managed to remember (because introduced himself in the first song.) Some bad points for this album are the length of some songs, which wouldn't be as bad if they weren't so repetitive and the chorus frequently coming back was just annoying. I would say this was an enjoyable album when you weigh all of the pros and cons together, though a re-listen would have to be down the track. 65 minutes of this stuff was a bit draining. Good album for the mid-school vibe. Highlight Song/s: "The Humpty Dance", "Underwater Rimes (Remix)" and "Packet Man"
I didn't hate it, but I didn't gain anything from my listen.
This sits right in the sweet spot of hip-hop/rap for me, the humor and fun aspects are still there, P-funk samples are plenty and just a well put together album.
Cover de fou furieux c'EST QUOI CA aura au moins le mérite de m'avoir fait rire. Funky à souhaits
At best, it sounds like an average Prince album. At worst it’s just an ordinary soundtrack of the early 90s. Not sure I would listen again. 2.5 stars (Feeling generous, we’ll call it 3)
Сухой семплированный звук, как у многих тогда (исходя из того, что я слышал).
Humpty Dance was a middle school jam for me. I enjoyed hearing that again - and it somewhat held up to expectations. But I quickly soured on the following tracks and interludes. Extra start for nostalgia.
This was okay. <prudish rant>I know it's an album titled Sex Packets, so I shouldn't be surprised by the fairly explicit sexy time interlude(s?) in here, but I was. I really, really don't get the need for the soft-core porn in some of these albums we've listened to. They feel like silly distractions</prudish rant> I pretty much stopped listening after the first sexy time interlude. Maybe it was the last? I don't know. Regardless, I liked hearing The Humpty Hump again. It carried me back to smoking weed and playing pool in the student union while suffering through all manner of terrible music, but having the time of my life. So, one extra star for that.
Kinda wild this album ended up becoming as big as it was. No denying the skills and beat making from this group, but I think the novelty of the album wears off quickly. An entire album about sex packets and dealing them on the street is pretty hilarious. That said, not sure there’s a ton of replay for this.
Described as funk on Apple Music but in reality more hip hop / rap. It has a certain groove and some humour to the lyrics
Not terribly offensive but not particularly interesting either. 3
witzig
Lyrics sind teilweise sehr schlecht gealtert und nach humpty dumpty dance kommt nicht mehr viel weltbewegendes. Aber es hat grundsätzlich so GTA San Andreas Radio Vibes und die Beats sind richtig tight
So let's make this clear. Digital Underground are (purportedly) endorsed by: the entirety of America, and also Cleveland; the whole continent of Africa, and also Zimbabwe; Australia, Japan and the Philippines. Did I get that right? This album is a mess in the most 90s way possible. What other decade are you gonna hear bars from a pufferfish??? Utterly heinous and I'm so glad I tuned in.
Catchy drunk karaoke tunes, but gimmicky. 3 stars
Um. Not necessary at all. 3 *
Great example of a hip hop outfit where the mixtables take front and center. Far more avant-garde than I was expecting!
Humpty
Solid fun 90s rap/hip hop. Not the best example of the era, but worthy of a listen. 3.5/5
I thought the story telling of these songs was cool
There are some seriously funky beats on this album, and especially considering the time period it came out it's clear how influential this was. But that aside, I find it quite ironic to generate this album on international women's day, with how misogynistic so much of the lyrical content is. Constant themes of objectifying women and seeing us as nothing more than trophies or sex objects bring this album down a lot. Still an enjoyable experience overall when you do your best not to pay attention to the lyrics, I think if you just listen to it and tune out the words it's just a really good early 90s hip hop album.
Cool!
Taking me way back. 3/5