TAMPA — Artists, fans and friends around the world are offering words of love and respect for hip hop legend Shock G.

The co-founder and frontman of the group Digital Underground died Thursday night in Tampa at the age of 57.

The music world has lost an icon, and social media continues to trend with the news Greg Jacobs’ death.

As many know, he had deep ties to the Bay area.

In Tampa, local artists are remember times they shared on stage and radio hosts like Drew Garabo are expressing their thoughts.

“They had that duality of being hip hop yet at the same time funny, bringing the funk yet the hip hop realness and that always sunk in with me. And I was such a fan through the years,” said the afternoon drive host of 102.5 The Bone

When it comes to Shock G’s background in Tampa, Garabo was ready to talk about it on air.

“Born in Brooklyn New York, moved to Tampa — went to Greco Middle and Chamberlain High. I believe he either was asked to leave Chamberlain High, or he left on his own accord,” Garabo said during his show.

Digital Underground rose to fame in the late 80s.

It was a time when there weren’t many rap stations on the radio.

“People hear Humpty Dance, and they think it’s a novelty. But really they were deeper than that. They brought the Parliament-Funkadelic of George Clinton into the hip hop world, when at the time not a lot of people were doing that,” Garabo explained.

Over the years, Shock G helped pave the way for other artists.

“Without Digital Underground and Shock G, there’s no Tupac Shakur. He was a roadie for them, and he was a backup dancer as well. And they gave him a chance to spit on his first record,” he said.

Garabo hopes Shock G’s passing sends a message.

“Today’s a sad day and a day maybe to put our arms around the people who are still here and celebrate our legends while they’re still alive. I hope Shock and Pac are choppin’ it up there in heaven,” he said.