|
|
 |
Digital Underground.
 In the late 80's and early 90's, a brand of hip-hop began to emerge from California that was heavily influenced by the elastic funk of George Clinton. Though it was Dr. Dre's G-Funk that eventually came to be associated with the West Coast, in many ways Digital Underground's funk-drenched mayhem is closer to Clinton's aesthetic: full of exuberant personalities, often nonsensical lyrics and a myriad of over the top alter egos instead of gangsta posturing. Perhaps the philosophy of the group is best typified by one of their biggest hits, which is also the name of their first Australian tour: Doowatchyulike.
Leader Shock G had most of the group with him in his hotel room as I spoke with him as he was getting ready to leave for Australia, which led to an often chaotic interview. That's not the only reason either: "I'm about to get on this plane to fly over there, man, I'm getting drunk because I can't stand flying and I want to be out the whole time," he confesses. "It's a long flight, dude: it's like 14 hours and if we go down, we go down in the ocean."
Explaining why the DU posse haven't made it out to Australia before, Shock also voices some concerns about racist attitudes here. "The reason we didn't come earlier in the 90's when we were all over the airwaves is because friends of mine from here that went said they would be hanging out with Aboriginals, and they weren't allowed in the clubs... Now, 15 years later, we've heard that it's a little more human, so we're coming this time."
Though Digital Underground's music is usually far from serious, Shock makes it clear that racism is just one of a number of issues that he is genuinely concerned about. "I'm silently doing my part out here in the world, not doing beer commercials and not doing certain types of Hennessey ads and stuff..." Suddenly and without warning, in the middle of the sentence, Shock's voice suddenly deepens and he transforms into his most famous alter-ego, Humpty Hump, who promptly starts singing down the line.
For the rest of the interview it's hard to get a straight answer, but it never proves less than entertaining. In between all the joking around, we do manage to talk about the upcoming tour a little, which the group is clearly looking forward to. Though Digital Underground is a large collective with almost 50 members, only five will be coming out to Australia and Shock promises that though "it won't be as hectic as our videos, we're gonna do our best. Styles will be scratching stuff in, Humpty will be running around throwing popcorn, Metaphysical's gonna be filming him. You'll like it."
On the topic of entertaining stage shows, I mention that I'm looking forward to seeing one of the group's major influences later in the year, George Clinton, which sets Humpty off on another tangent. "I didn't get nothing from George Clinton, what you mean, I got a lot from George Clinton? I was before him, George Clinton got a lot from us. I'm before him. If I remember correctly, I have been here for all time; that divine light that birthed it all was mine." By this stage he's started singing again, and I've almost tuned out when I hear a laugh down the phone and Shock reappears, respectfully saying, "for real, of course, George is my guru, sir."
As the interview winds up, Shock gives some insight into his impulsive nature when he tells me that "I believe in live and let live and whatever impulse, or whatever natural urge or primal instinct you have, then it's righteous because you had the thought to do it. If God didn't intend for you to do it, then you wouldn't have thought to do it, so we're all just doing what we do."
Whether or not you understand the man, there's no denying that he made some of the funkiest (and funniest) music of the early 90's and the show, like the interview, promises to be nothing if not memorable.
Alexis Buxton-Collins
 | Digital Underground tear up Fowlers Live on Sat 26 Feb with Terra Firma. |
|
|
The latest issue
available now!
|
