Legendary Hip-Hop Group Digital Underground Receives Texas Recognition in San Antonio

Members of the legendary hip-hop group Digital Underground were formally honored during a special Texas recognition event held May 14 outside the historic Kress Building at the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) in downtown San Antonio.

Presented by Texas State Representative Josey Garcia, the recognition celebrated Digital Underground’s lasting contributions to hip-hop culture and their influence on generations of artists worldwide. The event brought together community leaders, cultural advocates, music fans, and preservationists to honor one of hip-hop’s most innovative and influential groups.

Members of Digital Underground in attendance included Ronald “Money-B” Brooks, Chris “Young Hump” Clarke, and Ryan “DJ Alwayz” Beebe.

The recognition was spearheaded by music executive Keith “Youngin” George II in collaboration with fellow Alamo City Culture Collective (ACCC) members Representative Josey Garcia, Pharaoh Clark, and Patricia Robinson, alongside leadership from SAAACAM and community partners committed to preserving cultural history in San Antonio.

Held outside SAAACAM’s Cultural Center at the historic Kress Building, the event highlighted the importance of preserving hip-hop’s legacy while recognizing the group’s impact on music, creativity, fashion, and popular culture.

In addition to celebrating Digital Underground’s achievements, the gathering paid tribute to the late Shock G, the group’s visionary founder and frontman whose creativity helped redefine hip-hop during the late 1980s and 1990s. The recognition also honored the memory of Tupac Shakur, whose early career was closely tied to Digital Underground, and the late Cleetis, cousin of Ronald “Money-B” Brooks and a beloved member of the extended Digital Underground family.

During the ceremony, speakers reflected on the group’s enduring influence and the importance of ensuring hip-hop history is preserved and celebrated for future generations.

“This was bigger than music,” said Keith “Youngin” George II. “It was about honoring legacy, preserving culture, and recognizing the impact hip-hop continues to have across generations and communities.”

The event served as a reminder of Digital Underground’s lasting place in hip-hop history and demonstrated how communities across the country continue to celebrate and preserve the culture’s pioneers decades after their impact first changed music forever.