Sex Packets is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground, released on March 20, 1990.

Album background

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.

Release and reception

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. Newsday noted that "as the romantic—and in the end, middlebrow—self-consciousness of the artist seeps into hip-hop, Digital Underground turns it on its head, shuffling the goofy indistinguishably with the avant-garde." The album was re-issued on February 8, 2005, by Rhino Entertainment.

Legacy

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's "100 Best Rap Albums". It is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The album is broken down track-by-track by Digital Underground in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.

Track listing

CD

LP

Cassette

The cassette version of the album has 3 extra tracks, plus an extended version of "Gutfest '89"

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications