Digital Underground Co-Founder Shares Rare Stories About 2Pac, Beyoncé, Barack Obama and the Early Days of a Hip-Hop Icon
LOS ANGELES, CA – In celebration of what would have been 2Pac’s birthday, Chopmaster J, co-founder of the legendary hip-hop group Digital Underground and one of 2Pac’s earliest producers and mentors, is releasing a rare and revealing episode of the podcast Like Father Like Fun featuring author and cultural commentator, Mopreme Shakur, brother of the late rap icon.
Premiering on 2Pac’s birthday, June 16, 2026, the episode brings together Chopmaster J, his son SOTU (Son of the Underground), D.U.Nx.G (Digital Underground Next Generation) bandmate, MEGA, and Mopreme Shakur for an intimate conversation reflecting on 2Pac’s enduring legacy nearly three decades after his passing.
More than a retrospective, the episode offers listeners a rare look into pivotal moments from the early days of 2Pac’s career, told by individuals who witnessed them firsthand.
Among the stories shared is Chopmaster J’s recollection of introducing 2Pac to a young Beyoncé Knowles during sessions at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, CA while recording “Spirit” for the “Boyz n the Hood” soundtrack. According to Chopmaster J, Beyoncé regularly visited the recordings as a young aspiring performer, creating an unexpected intersection between two future music legends long before they became global icons.
The conversation also revisits an often-overlooked moment from hip-hop history during Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet tour. While traveling with Digital Underground, Chopmaster J recalls 2Pac securing tickets for a young community organizer named Barack Obama at Chicago’s Regal Theater on July 7, 1990.
The episode further explores 2Pac’s earliest recordings, his introduction to Digital Underground, and the experiences that helped shape one of the most influential artists in music history.
“People know the legend of 2Pac,” cites Chopmaster J. “What we’re sharing are the moments that happened before the world knew who he would become. These are stories about the young artist, the brother, the friend, and the visionary we were fortunate enough to know.”
The podcast drop arrives as Mopreme Shakur continues promoting his book, This Thug’s Life, offering additional perspective on the personal and professional legacy of his brother.
“I enjoyed sharing my brother’s story on Like Father Like Fun and the experiences that shaped him both as an artist and as a man,” notes Mopreme Shakur.
The release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of Chopmaster J’s work as an author and storyteller. Acknowledged for his memoir, Static: My Tupac Shakur Story, a firsthand account of 2Pac’s formative years and rise to prominence, Chopmaster J has spent decades preserving and documenting the history behind one of the world’s most prominent artists.
As the co-founder and co-creator of Digital Underground, the groundbreaking group behind classics including “The Humpty Dance,” “Same Song,” and “Doowutchyalike,” Chopmaster J helped shape one of hip-hop’s most innovative and culturally persuasive acts. The group’s platinum-selling success, distinctive creativity, and universal impact paved the way for a generation of artists while providing 2Pac with his first national platform as a performer and recording artist.
Through his music, writing, and media projects, Chopmaster J continues to preserve and share the stories that shaped both 2Pac’s career and hip-hop culture.
Like Father Like Fun is a podcast hosted by Chopmaster J and SOTU that bridges generations through conversations about music, culture, family, and legacy while celebrating the stories that helped shape music history.
The special episode featuring Mopreme Shakur premieres June 16, 2026, in celebration of 2Pac’s birthday and can be heard across all major streaming platforms, including YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialChopMasterJ . The podcast includes an in-studio performance by Chopmaster J and DUNxG.
ABOUT CHOPMASTER J
Chopmaster J is the founder and co-creator of Digital Underground, the pioneering hip-hop group whose innovative sound, platinum-selling success, and cultural influence helped redefine rap music. As one of 2Pac’s earliest producers, collaborators, and mentors, Chopmaster J played a pivotal role in introducing the future icon to audiences worldwide. Through music, authorship, podcasting, and media appearances, he continues to preserve and celebrate the legacy of hip-hop culture and the artists who shaped it.
