Legendary digital underground mastermind Shock G set to release his first independent album 'Fear Of A Mixed Planet'

NEW YORK (33rd Street Records) - 33rd Street Records announces the release of Shock G's first independent album 'Fear of a Mixed Planet' due in stores October 12, 2004. Rapper, producer, musician, cartoonist Shock-G is the mastermind behind platinum group Digital Underground.

'Fear of a Mixed Planet' is Shock-G's long-awaited solo debut. It draws on his 15 years of funk experience at the helm of Digital Underground even as it explores radical new terrain. Fans of DU will appreciate a strong crew presence. Long-time partners-in-rhyme Money B & Humpty Hump turn up for the EPMD-fueled funkfest 'Weesom Hustlas' while Numskull of the Luniz expresses his comically controversial point of view on 'My Opinion.' Yukmouth lays down a definitive autobiographical rap on 'Holmedown Up,' which also features Java & 5th Element, as well as the return of Clev MC, who debuted as a kid on Sons of the P.

Using the solo project as license for total creative freedom, Shock G has crafted the most distinctive & personal album of his career, ambitious in its rethinking of the musical & lyrical possibilities of hip hop. On 'Cinnamon Waves' Shock conjures up an authentic world-weariness well beyond the reach of today's blinged-out emcees, in the form of a wistful letter to an ex-lover, while on 'Who's Clean', Shock propounds a positive spiritual philosophy of the essential unity of the human race & speaks out against the misogyny so often taken for granted in hip hop.
'Now more than ever,' Shock says, 'with almost all emcees on the same subject matter & viewpoint, it's especially necessary to lift the human spirit & break the monotony of continuous, increasingly bleak, negative or desperate songs & topics; and to also break the chain of constant blatant reality. The human mind also thrives & prospers from fantasy & hope. Perhaps 'Fear of a Mixed Planet' is an intermission from the front line & a visit to the recreation tent.'

In addition to 2pac, Shock has brought up a considerable amount of talent through DU, including the Luniz, Saafir, & Mystic. In 1995, Shock appeared on the Bay Area anthem 'I Got 5 on It', alongside the Luniz, Richie Rich, Spice1, E-40, & Dru Down. He has also produced & recorded with such acts as Murs, DJ Quik, George Clinton, & Prince.