Zapp, a funk music group, was formed in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. The band is known for its extensive use of the talkbox and includes members such as Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Lester Troutman, Terry Troutman, Bobby Glover, Eddie Barber, Shirley Murdock, Jannetta Boyce, Jerome Derrickson, Sherman Fleetwood, Gregory Jackson, and Michael Warren. Zapp's breakthrough came with the release of their self-titled debut album Zapp in 1980, which featured the hit single "More Bounce to the Ounce". The group continued to produce successful albums throughout the 1980s, including Zapp II (1982), Zapp III (1983), and The New Zapp IV U (1984). Notable songs from this period include "Dance Floor", "I Can Make You Dance", and "Computer Love", all of which have been widely sampled in hip-hop music. In addition to their group work, Roger Troutman pursued a solo career under the name "Roger," releasing four albums between 1981 and 1991. The band's influence extended into the late 1990s when "California Love" by 2Pac featured elements from Zapp's "Dance Floor". Tragically, Roger Troutman and Larry Troutman were found dead in April 1999, leading to the continuation of the group as The Zapp Band. Despite these challenges, Zapp has continued to tour and release albums, including Zapp VII: Roger & Friends in 2018.
