Sex Packets

Sex Packets is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground, released on March 26, 1990 (1990-03-26).

Sex Packets
Studio album by
Digital Underground
ReleasedMarch 20, 1990 (1990-03-20)
Recorded1989
Genre
Length65:26 (CD) / 81:14 (Cassette)
Label
ProducerDigital Underground
Digital Underground chronology
Sex Packets
(1990)		 This Is an EP Release
(1991)
Singles from Sex Packets
  1. "Doowutchyalike"
    Released: October 18, 1989
  2. "The Humpty Dance"
    Released: January 20, 1990

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 satisfying sexual experience in situations where the normal attainment of such experiences would be counter-productive to the mission at hand.

Release and reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[3]
Orlando Sentinel[4]
RapReviews8/10[5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[6]
Spin Alternative Record Guide8/10[7]
The Village VoiceB[8]

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.[9] The album was re-issued on February 8, 2005 by Rhino Entertainment. The album is broken down track-by-track by Digital Underground in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.[10]

Legacy

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums Ever.[11] It is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[12]

Track listing

CD

[13]

No.TitleLength
1."The Humpty Dance"6:30
2."The Way We Swing"6:48
3."Rhymin' on the Funk"6:16
4."The New Jazz (One)"0:37
5."Underwater Rimes (Remix)"4:23
6."Gutfest '89 (Edit)"5:50
7."The Danger Zone"5:31
8."Freaks of the Industry"5:38
9."Doowutchyalike"8:51
10."Packet Prelude"0:57
11."Sex Packets"7:21
12."Street Scene"0:33
13."Packet Man"4:41
14."Packet Reprise"1:23

LP

[14]

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."The Humpty Dance"6:00
2."The Way We Swing"6:48
3."Packet Prelude"0:57
4."Sex Packets"7:21
5."Street Scene"0:33
6."Packet Man"4:41
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Freaks Of The Industry"5:38
2."Underwater Rimes (Remix)"4:23
3."The New Jazz (One)"0:37
4."Rhymin' On The Funk"6:16
5."The Danger Zone"5:31
6."Packet Reprise"1:30
7."Doowutchyalike"4:12

Cassette

[15]

The cassette version of the album has 3 extra tracks, plus an extended version of "Gutfest '89"

Side 1 (Safe Side)
No.TitleDetailsLength
1."The Humpty Dance" 6:30
2."The Way We Swing" 6:48
3."Hip Hop Doll"Cassette-only track5:30
4."Underwater Rimes (Remix)" 4:23
5."Rhymin' on the Funk" 6:16
6."The New Jazz (One)" 0:37
7."The Danger Zone" 5:31
8."Doowutchyalike" 8:51
Side 2 (Sex Side)
No.TitleDetailsLength
9."Freaks of the Industry" 5:38
10."Gutfest '89 (Full)"Cassette-only version8:17
11."Sound of the Underground"Cassette-only track5:06
12."A Tribute to the Early Days"Cassette-only track3:06
13."Packet Prelude" 0:57
14."Sex Packets" 7:21
15."Street Scene" 0:33
16."Packet Man" 4:41
17."Packet Reprise" 1:30

Samples

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sex Packets – Digital Underground". AllMusic. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  2. Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-85712-595-8.
  3. Sandow, Greg (February 23, 1990). "Sex-Packets". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  4. Fields, Curt (June 15, 1990). "Digital Underground". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  5. Juon, Steve "Flash" (May 9, 2017). "Digital Underground :: Sex Packets :: Tommy Boy Records". RapReviews. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  6. Harris, Keith (2004). "Digital Underground". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 238. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  7. Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  8. Christgau, Robert (July 3, 1990). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  9. "Myspace". Viewmorepics.myspace.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  10. Coleman, Brian. Check The Technique: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.
  11. "100 Best Rap Albums". The Source. New York (#100). January 1998. ISSN 1063-2085. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  12. Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (23 March 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
  13. "Digital Underground - Sex Packets (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  14. "Digital Underground - Sex Packets (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  15. "Digital Underground - Sex Packets (Cassette, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  16. "American album certifications – Digital Underground – Sex Packets". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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