Back in 1990, a quirky character with a Groucho Marx nose changed hip hop forever.

Digital Underground introduced the world to Humpty Hump, an alter ego so memorable that decades later, people still know every word.

The group, led by Shock G’s creative genius, blended funk samples with playful rhymes that made everyone want to dance.

This track wasn’t just another rap song; it became a cultural moment that proved hip hop could be fun, weird, and still incredibly influential.

About The Humpty Dance

Released on January 9, 1990, The Humpty Dance became Digital Underground’s signature hit. The song features Shock G performing as Humpty Hump.

Built on samples from funk legends like Parliament and Funkadelic, the track celebrates being different and having fun without taking yourself too seriously.

The song’s success helped launch the career of a young backup dancer and rapper named Tupac Shakur, who appeared in the music video.

The Humpty Dance proved that hip hop could embrace humor and still earn respect.

Lyrics of The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground

Looking for the complete lyrics to this classic track? Below are the full lyrics of The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground.

Verse 1

Alright, stop what you’re doin’ ’cause I’m about to ruin
The image and the style that you’re used to
I look funny, but yo, I’m making money, see
So, yo, world, I hope you’re ready for me
Now gather ’round, I’m the new fool in town
And my sound’s laid down by the Underground
I’ll drink up all the Hennessy you got on your shelf
So just let me introduce myself
My name is Humpty, pronounced with an “Umpty.”
Yo, ladies, oh, how I like to funk thee
And all the rappers in the top ten, please allow me to bump thee
I’m steppin’ tall, y’all, and just like Humpty Dumpty
You’re gonna fall when the stereos pump me
I like to rhyme, I like my beats funky
I’m spunky, I like my oatmeal lumpy
I’m sick of this
Straight gangster mack, but sometimes I get ridiculous
I’ll eat up all your crackers and your licorice
Ayo, fat girl, come here, are you ticklish?
Yeah, I called you fat. Look at me, I’m skinny
It never stopped me from getting busy
I’m a freak, I like the girls with the boom
I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom
I’m crazy, allow me to amaze thee
They say I’m ugly, but it just doesn’t faze me
I’m still getting in the girls’ pants
And I even got my own dance

Chorus

The Humpty Dance is your chance to do the Hump (Come on, uh)
Do the Humpty Hump (Come on and), do the Humpty Hump (Check me out, y’all)
Do the Humpty Hump (Just watch me), do the Humpty Hump (Yeah, do you know what I’m doing?)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Doing the Humpty Hump, come on)
Do the Humpty Hump (Ha), do the Humpty Hump

Verse 2

People say, “Yo, Humpty, you’re really funny lookin.'”
That’s alright ’cause I get things cookin’
You stare, you glare, you constantly try to compare me
But you can’t get near me
I give ’em more, see, and on the floor, B
All the girls adore me
Oh yes, ladies, I’m really being sincere
‘Cause in a 69, my humpty nose will tickle your rear
My nose is big, uh-uh, I’m not ashamed
Big like a pickle, I’m still getting paid
I get laid by the ladies, you know I’m in charge
Both how I’m living and my nose are large
I get stupid, I’ll shoot an arrow like Cupid
I’ll use a word that doesn’t mean anything like “Looptid.”
I sang on, “Doowutchyalike,” and if you missed it
I’m the one who said, “Just grab ’em in the biscuits”
Also told you that I like to bite
Well, yeah, I guess it’s obvious, I also like to write
All you had to do was give Humpty a chance
And now I’m gonna do my dance

Chorus

The Humpty Dance is your chance to do the hump (Come on, yeah, sexy lady)
Do the Humpty Hump (Come on, uh), do the Humpty Hump (Sexy baby, everybody)
Do the Humpty Hump (Come on and), do the Humpty Hump (Uh)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Do you know what we’re doing? We’re doing the Humpty Hump, y’all, uh)
Do the Humpty Hump (Watch me), do the Humpty Hump

Interlude

Ah yeah, that’s the break, y’all
Let a little bit of that bass groove right here
Err-rear, der-rit, err-rear, der-rit
Ah, yeah
Now that I told y’all a little bit about myself
Let me tell you a little bit about this dance
It’s really easy to do, check it out

Verse 3

First, I limp to the side like my legs was broken
Shaking and twitching, kind of like I was smoking
Crazy, whack, funky
People say, “You look like MC Hammer on crack, Humpty”
That’s alright ’cause my body’s in motion
It’s supposed to look like a fit or a convulsion
Anyone can play this game
This is my dance, y’all, Humpty Hump’s my name
No two people will do it the same
You got it down when you appear to be in pain
Humpin’, funkin’, jumpin’
Gig around, shaking your rump
And when a doo-doo chump punk points a finger like a stunt
Tell him, “Step off, I’m doing the Hump.”

Chorus

The Humpty Dance is your chance to do the hump (Everybody, uh)
Do the Humpty Hump (Come on and), do the Humpty Hump (Sexy lady, uh)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Do you know what I’m doing? We’re doing the Humpty Hump, y’all, uh, watch me)
Do the Humpty Hump (Uh), do the Humpty Hump (Yo, yo, Black people)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Come on, white people)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Puerto Ricans)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Just keep on doing the Hump, Samoans)
Do the Humpty Hump (Do the), do the Humpty Hump

Interlude

Ah, yeah
Let’s get stupid (Give me the music)
Uh

Chorus

Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Give me, Give me the music, everybody)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Uh, give me, Give me the music)
Do the Humpty Hump (Come on and), do the Humpty Hump (Give me, Give me the music)
Do the Humpty Hump, do the Humpty Hump (Do you know what we’re doing? Doing the Humpty Hump)

Outro

Ah, yeah
Go on and break it down
Uh, uh
Yeah, yeah, sexy lady
Once again, the Underground is in the house
I’d like to send a shout-out to the whole world
Keep on doing the Humpty Dance
And to the ladies
Peace and Humptiness forever

Songs Similar to The Humpty Dance

These tracks share the same playful energy, funky beats, and late 80s/early 90s hip hop vibe that made The Humpty Dance a classic.

• Bust a Move – Young MC: Features the same fun, storytelling approach with catchy hooks and dance-friendly production.
• It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock: Another party anthem built on infectious samples with call-and-response energy.
• Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe: Blends new jack swing with hip hop attitude and memorable choreography.
• Me Myself and I – De La Soul: Celebrates individuality with clever lyrics over funky, sample-heavy beats.
• Wild Thing – Tone Lōc: Shares the same laid-back, humorous delivery with undeniable groove.

Artists Similar to Digital Underground

If you loved Digital Underground’s fun, funk-driven sound, these artists brought similar creativity and energy to hip hop during the golden era.

• De La Soul
  Genre: Alternative Hip Hop
  Top Album: 3 Feet High and Rising

• A Tribe Called Quest
  Genre: Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip Hop
  Top Album: The Low End Theory

• Beastie Boys
  Genre: Hip Hop, Rap Rock
  Top Album: Licensed to Ill

• Too Short
  Genre: West Coast Hip Hop
  Top Album: Life Is… Too Short

• DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
  Genre: Pop Rap, Hip Hop
  Top Album: He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper

To Sum It Up

The Humpty Dance remains a perfect time capsule of when hip hop embraced personality over perfection.

Shock G created something that still makes people smile and move three decades later.

The song proved you don’t need to be the smoothest or the coolest to make an impact; sometimes being yourself, nose and all, is enough.

Want to experience more of this era’s sound? Check out the artists and tracks listed above, and don’t forget to do the Humpty Dance at your next party.

What’s your favorite line from the song? Drop a comment below and let us know!