Sex Packets is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground, released on March 20, 1990 .
Sex Packets | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 20, 1990 | |||
Recorded | 1989 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 65:26 (CD) 81:14 (Cassette) | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Digital Underground | |||
Digital Underground chronology | ||||
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Singles from Sex Packets | ||||
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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.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
Entertainment Weekly | C+[3] |
Orlando Sentinel | [4] |
RapReviews | 8/10[5] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [6] |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 8/10[7] |
The Village Voice | B[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]
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]
No. | Title | Length |
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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 |
No. | Title | Length |
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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 |
No. | Title | Length |
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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 (Edit)" | 4:12 |
The cassette version of the album has 3 extra tracks, plus an extended version of "Gutfest '89"
No. | Title | Details | Length |
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1. | "The Humpty Dance" | 6:30 | |
2. | "The Way We Swing" | 6:48 | |
3. | "Hip Hop Doll" | Cassette-only track | 5:30 |
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 |
No. | Title | Details | Length |
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9. | "Freaks of the Industry" | 5:38 | |
10. | "Gutfest '89 (Full)" | Cassette-only version | 8:17 |
11. | "Sound of the Underground" | Cassette-only track | 5:06 |
12. | "A Tribute to the Early Days" | Cassette-only track | 3:06 |
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 |
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[21] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |