Keep It Beautiful

Visionary rapper of the groundbreaking "The Humpty Dance," producer of Tupac Shakur's iconic "I Get Around," and driving force of legendary hip-hop group Digital Underground, Shock G shares his story in Keep It Beautiful.

This fully illustrated memoir by Gregory "Shock G" Jacobs, as told to Alexis Wolfe Mbassa, captures the eternal vibrance of his style—playful, soulful, colorful, and profound. In Keep It Beautiful, music lovers and 80s and 90s nostalgists will find a rare lens into the early days of hip-hop when it was an underground urban movement flirting with mainstream culture—bringing new takes on club classics and new style to the nightlife and street scenes. Curated by close friend and artist, Alexis Wolfe Mbassa, this stunning, full-color work offers a never-before-seen glimpse into the genesis of Shock G's group, Digital Underground, which launched the music career of rap icon Tupac Shakur.

Keep It Beautiful (one of Shock G’s well-known sayings) combines traditional memoir, photographs, lyrics, the artist's own illustrations and storyboards, handwriting, and photography to create an appealing package that is both keepsake book and a deeper look into the mind of an artist.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs