"Rumpty Rump" Sample Information by Shock-G from Digital Underground

Sample Permission Request for using Ray Charles’ “Willow Weep For Me” in the interlude skit “Rumpty Rump,” written by Shock G (Gregory Jacobs).

“Rumpty Rump” is a one-minute interlude on Digital Underground’s 3rd studio album Future Rhythm, released in 1996. The interlude is a man explaining to Shock G/Humpty Hump that there should be a woman member of Digital Underground named Rumpty Rump.

When using short sections or “samples” of other artist’s music in other compositions, there must be written permission to avoid allegations of copyright infringement, if to the intent is to release the music commercially and profit from the sales. Sampling is commonly accomplished with a piece of hardware called a sampler, or by specialized computer software. The process of obtaining permission from the owners of the sampled music is referred to as a sample clearance. Failure to obtain the proper permission could lead to consequences, including lawsuits for monetary damages or the inability to distribute the music to the public. The sample clearance process can be straightforward, depending on the music and artists involved. De La Soul, like Digital Underground, was another Tommy Boy-signed act that proclaimed their love for George Clinton via heavy sample use. While sampling became part of the evolution of Hip-Hop music, it also had an important social function. Sampled material tends to be used either as a homage to musical forbears or to establish a kind of musical community.

Digital Underground is a ’90s Hip-Hop group from Oakland, California. Digital Underground’s Hip-Hop sound was unique compared to other artists and groups as their signature sound incorporated P-Funk from Funk bands of the 1970s, which helped shape their Oakland based Hip-Hop sound. Digital Underground was known for their fun, nutty lyrics and eccentric style. Their founder was Shock-G (Gregory Jacobs, 1963-2021) who created the group in 1987 with Chopmaster (Jimi C. Dright, Jr, b. unknown) and Kenny K (Kenneth Waters, b. unknown d. 1994). Money-B (Ronald Brooks, b. 1969), DJ Fuse (David Elliot, b. 1970), Pee-Wee (Ramon Gooden, b. 1970), and Bigg Money Odis (Odis Brackens III, b.1969) were also members, along with a rotating list of others throughout the group’s discography, notably 2Pac (Tupac Amaru Shakur, 1971 - 1996).