Digital Underground co-founder Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright is ushering in a new chapter of the group’s legacy—and he’s doing it with family. The veteran producer and musician has teamed up with his son, S.O.T.U. (Son of the Underground), to launch a fresh wave of music under their collaborative banner, D.U.Nx.G. (Digital Underground Next Generation). Together, they’re releasing four new singles through their partnership with Intercept Music, a leading independent distribution and marketing company.
The simultaneous drop features two tracks from Chopmaster J’s forthcoming collection ChopMaster J Body Of Works—“Spirit” and “Something About You”—as well as “Whistle” and “Move,” the first offerings from the upcoming Digital Underground featuring DUNxG album Evolution. The project represents a full-circle moment: it marks the first official Digital Underground release from Chopmaster J in more than two decades.
For Chopmaster J, Evolution is both a celebration of the past and a step toward the future. Digital Underground played a defining role in West Coast hip hop with a lineup that famously included Shock G, Money B, DJ Fuze, and a young Tupac Shakur—who Dright is credited with discovering. Their playful, funk-driven sound brought hits like “Doowutchyalike,” “Same Song,” and “Kiss You Back” into the cultural canon. Now, with D.U.Nx.G., he hopes to carry that spirit into a new era while honoring the group’s foundations.
The releases arrive with strong support from Intercept Music, whose chairman Ralph Tashjian highlighted the deep Bay Area connection shared by both the company and the group. He noted that the partnership reflects the longstanding relationship between independent music and hip hop, adding that Chopmaster J and S.O.T.U. exemplify generational continuity.
Two singles—“Spirit” and “Something About You”—will be accompanied by videos. “Spirit,” originally heard on the Boyz n the Hood soundtrack and featuring Tramaine Hawkins, The Interfaith Gospel Choir, and Dave Hollister, is being positioned as an anthem for Oakland. “Something About You” includes appearances from Hollister and archival footage of the late Shock G, adding emotional resonance to the visual.
Chopmaster J said the journey back to releasing new music hasn’t been easy, but Intercept Music’s platform has made the transition into today’s fast-paced digital landscape far smoother. For S.O.T.U., who grew up watching Digital Underground sessions firsthand, D.U.Nx.G. represents both nostalgia and evolution. “Our music continues to elevate the highest of good vibrations,” he shared.
The pair is also expanding into podcasting with Like Father Like Fun, produced by Pantheon Media and available on all major audio platforms and YouTube.
With new music, a new group, and a multigenerational approach, Chopmaster J and S.O.T.U. are ensuring that the Digital Underground legacy not only lives on—but grows.