Sex Packets | ||||
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Studio album by Digital Underground | ||||
Released | March 26, 1990 | |||
Recorded | 1989-1990 | |||
Genre |
Golden age hip hop Alternative hip hop |
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Length | 65:26 (CD) / 81:14 (Cassette) | |||
Label | Tommy Boy / Eurobond Records | |||
Producer | Digital Underground | |||
Digital Underground chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | |
The Daily Vault | (A) |
Entertainment Weekly | C+ |
New York Times | (favorable) |
Rhapsody | (favorable) |
Rolling Stone | |
Washington Post | (favorable) |
Sex Packets is the debut album from the 1990s rap group Digital Underground and 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.
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 #11 on the pop charts, #7 on the R&B charts, and #1 on the Billboard Rap Singles chart. Sex Packets was released to positive reviews and eventually achieved platinum sales. 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.
In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums Ever. It is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
The cassette version of the album has 3 extra tracks, plus an extended version of "Gutfest '89"