Digital Underground co-founder Chopmaster J said he was banned from the City of Oakland tribute to Shock G — the Digital Underground Day ceremonies on Saturday.
“I had been informed by the group’s former manager that my presence is not required, nor wanted at the festivities honoring my former partner and friend Shock G and his ingenious musical contributions to the Hip Hop firmament.This proclamation is a recognition of the group that Shock G and I founded, together,” the press release reads.
“To add insult to injury, my name was removed from a citation that was awarded to the group on Digital Underground Day. This act seems especially mean-spirited and anathema to fairness and the historical record.”
He added, “This appears to be an act meant to erase and cancel my contribution to the group and to Oakland’s Hip Hop history as the only surviving co-founder of Digital Underground. I am, however, particularly grateful to the Office of the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Shereda Nosakhare and Director of Education, David Silver who are both working to rectify the affront.”
Shock G died from an accidental overdose in a Florida hotel room.