Sex Packets is the debut studio album by American hip-hop group Digital Underground, released on .
Album background
The album is a
concept album about "G.S.R.A." (Genetic Suppression Relief Antidotes), a pharmaceutical substance that is produced in the form of a large glowing pill about the size of a quarter, which comes in a condom-sized package and is allegedly developed by the government to provide its intended users such as
astronauts with a
orgasm in situations where the normal attainment of such experiences would be counter-productive to the mission at hand.
Release and reception
The album was released in the spring of 1990 following the success of its two lead-off singles: "
Doowutchyalike", a moderate club hit, followed by "The Humpty Dance", which reached No. 11 on the pop chart, No. 7 on the R&B chart, and No. 1 on the
Billboard Rap Singles chart.
Sex Packets was released to positive reviews and eventually achieved platinum sales.
noted that "as the romantic—and in the end, middlebrow—self-consciousness of the artist seeps into hip-hop, Digital Underground turns it on its head, shuffling the goofy indistinguishably with the avant-garde."
praised the album's experimental fusion of musical styles, with Digital Underground incorporating
jazz piano and
funk elements into their hip-hop production. The reviewer highlighted tracks like "Doowhutchyalike" as a "unique whimsical party jam" and noted how "The Humpty Dance" gained widespread appeal among dance floor audiences. The review also commended the group's production approach of combining live drums and turntables.
The album was re-issued on February 8, 2005, by Rhino Entertainment.
Legacy
In 1998, the album was selected as one of
The Sources "100 Best Rap Albums".
It is included in the book
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
The album is broken down track by track by Digital Underground in Brian Coleman's book
Check the Technique.
[Coleman, Brian. Check The Technique: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.] In 2022,
Rolling Stone placed it at number 114 on their list of the "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time".
Track listing
CD
LP
Cassette
The cassette version of the album has 3 extra tracks, plus an extended version of "Gutfest '89"
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
External links
