Shock G funeral took place on Saturday, May 1, in an intimate gathering attended by several figures from the entertainment industry.
Taking place at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Tampa, Florida, the life of Greg Jacobs, better known as Shock G, was celebrated. On April, 22, the charismatic Hip Hop pioneer sadly died in a Tampa hotel. The results of an investigation surrounding the cause of death are pending. Friends and peers of the former Digital Underground frontman who attended in person and via video included YoYo, Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes and Money B.
Keeping with Shock G’s passion for music, hymns and songs rang out, helped in part by Tampa Mass Choir. They sang a variety of touching melodies including Stevie Wonder’s “As (I’ll Be Loving You Always)” among others. Guests wore t-shirts and held magazines and pictures with Shock G gracing the front. Inside the lid of the open casket, a picture of Shock G with headphones on recording with Digital Underground. After saying their final goodbyes to Shock G, pallbearers closed the casket. Reverend Glenn Dames Jr. significantly said: “Greg is free! Shock G is free! He’s flyin’,” he said, waving his arms like a bird. “We’re not here to say goodbye, we’re here to say, ‘See you later.’”
Memories Speak Volumes Of The Brilliant Human That Was Shock G
In the celebration of life program, it describes Shock G as “Living for adventure and having a heart for the homeless.” The latter for example, refers to the kindness and compassion towards the less fortunate. He regularly paid for meals and shelter for the homeless, proving, above all, he never knew a stranger. With friends and family sharing memories of the music genius, what came apparent was that Shock G believed in the healing power of music. Dr. Alesia Ford-Burse from Saint James AME Church in Jacksonville said that Shock replicated Jesus.
Money B from Digital Underground also added a few tearful words. Comforted by friends, Money B said: “He taught me that art and music are timeless.” In addition, Public Enemy’s Chuck D spoke via video echoing similar thoughts of Shock G. He said: “Forever we’re grateful for everything that Shock G did for the genre. As well as being somebody I considered a friend, somebody who always said he looked up to me, and I looked up to him, too.”
Lastly, a video of Shock G’s “Sprinkles of God” quote appears, his philosophical view of the cycle of life. “I believe we’re all little individual sprinkles of God. Like individual waves rise up, die at the shore, and then are sucked back into the ocean. We are born from light, and then in death, suck back into the greater life of the Universe.” Following and to conclude, the sound of “Knee Deep” by Parliament Funkadelic gave out good vibrations, certainly a fitting tribute to one of music’s greatest artists.