More Bounce

Funk is all about the beat and the message-- the catchy tune lures people in while the message keeps you swingin' into tomorrow night. This particular band revolutionized music with their hand-clapped drum beat and Roger Troutmans introduction of the talk box. This combination was the groups main stream of inspiration to west coast hip hop and rap. From tours, gold selling albums, and #1 singles Zapp & Roger accomplished it all, and that's why Jazzy Z is making them this months featured artist.

The nucleus of Zapp & Roger circled around two of the five Troutman brothers Lester and Roger. The funk band went through many changes in names and band members-- starting with 11 members. When the Troutman family had connected with funk activists George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, through childhood friend Bootsy Collins (another funk artist), the success began. When invited to join the Parliament Motor Booty Affair tour in 1978, Roger Troutman who was the ring leader, decided to cut the band to just two members. Roger and Lester took their show on the road opening for many major acts including Prince, The Commodores, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Kool & the Gang, and Cameo.

Zapp & Roger saw much more success with funk classics such as "Doo Wa Ditty", "Computer Love", "Heartbreaker", and finally reached #1 on the R&B Charts with "Dance Floor, Part 1". However, no song has seen more reputation than their head bobbing "More Bounce to the Ounce". This catchy line has been seen from the streets of San Francisco (as depicted to the right) to the voices of many famous artists. Mase quotes Zapp & Roger in the Bad Boy remixed "Only You" originally by 112, "Everybody know I got more bounce to the ounce, bad boy gettin mo' money than you can count". Rogers trademarked talk box is featured in "California Love" by 2pac and is still being used by many rap artists today.

Less talkin' & more dancin' you say? Here is "More Bounce to the Ounce", you know where to get your boogie on, FUNK YEA!

"More Bounce to the Ounce"- Zapp & Roger