Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Kurupt, Chico DeBarge, Ice-T, and members of tha Liks have contributed tracks to an upcoming tribute to the late R&B/funk artist Roger Troutman of Zapp. Wolfpac Records' "Still More Bounce," to be released April 16, is being overseen by tha Liks' James "J Ro" Robinson and his partner Harlan "Wolf" Morgan, who together run the label.
Known for his masterful use of vocoder (or talk box), an instrument that utilizes a keyboard to manipulate vocals, Troutman, who was shot and killed by his brother and Zapp bandmate Larry in 1999, gained the appreciation of a number of hip-hop artists throughout the '90s. Perhaps most notably, his "So Ruff So Tuff" was sampled by Tupac Shakur on "California Love" and his "More Bounce to the Ounce" was used on EPMD's "You Gots to Chill."
"Troutman's musical influence totally changed the sound of West Coast hip-hop," Robinson said in a release. "Every rapper and producer I know felt a loss from his sudden death, so it was no problem getting MCs, especially from the West Coast and Midwest, to contribute to this album."
Troutman's most successful crossover hit, "I Want To Be Your Man," which reached No. 3 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1987, is represented on the tribute by DeBarge and newcomer Shae Fiol. The cut is slated as the first single. Meanwhile, Robinson's cover of "Party Started" featuring DPG's Kurupt will be serviced to clubs.
Other artists on the set include Ras Kass, B-Real, Kam, tha Liks' Tash, Defari, Mirror, Myeasha Mek, Wally Ali, Merciless Stylz, and G Blac. With the exception of DeBarge's "I Wanna Be Your Man" and G-Blac's "Slow & Easy," each cut was recorded specifically for the tribute.
Troutman first came to prominence with Zapp, the funk outfit he formed with his brothers in the '80s. Throughout his career, he recorded under a number of monikers and worked with a slew of artists, including Shirley Murdoch and the Ohio Players' Sugarfoot. Dr. Dre, Janet Jackson, the Notorious B.I.G., and Ice Cube were just a few of the R&B artists who sampled Troutman's work.
"Roger's music is a part of the backbone of hip-hop, along with James Brown and George Clinton, so I didn't have to think twice about being part of this tribute album," says Ice-T, who contributed "Get on Down" with Xzibit, Kurupt, and Mac Mall.
Here is the tentative track list for "Still More Bounce":
"Party Started," James "J Ro" Robinson and Kurupt
"I Wanna Be Your Man," Chico DeBarge featuring Shae Fiol
"Throw It Up," Snoop Dogg, Tray D, and 4-Tay
"Let Me C' Ya," Lil' Beau and Salim
"Still More Bounce," Rass Kass, Kam, Tash, B-Real, and Spice1
"Bad Days," Defari, Phil Da Agony, and Merciless Stylz
"Slow & Easy," Mirror and Tasha Scott
"Sweat," James "J Ro" Robinson
"Crushed Grapes," J Wells, Merciless Stylz, and K Boogs
"Just for You," Merciless Stylz and G Blac
"Get on Down," Ice-T, Xzibit, Kurupt, and Mac Mall
"Brokenhearted," Myeasha Meks and Wally Ali
Known for his masterful use of vocoder (or talk box), an instrument that utilizes a keyboard to manipulate vocals, Troutman, who was shot and killed by his brother and Zapp bandmate Larry in 1999, gained the appreciation of a number of hip-hop artists throughout the '90s. Perhaps most notably, his "So Ruff So Tuff" was sampled by Tupac Shakur on "California Love" and his "More Bounce to the Ounce" was used on EPMD's "You Gots to Chill."
"Troutman's musical influence totally changed the sound of West Coast hip-hop," Robinson said in a release. "Every rapper and producer I know felt a loss from his sudden death, so it was no problem getting MCs, especially from the West Coast and Midwest, to contribute to this album."
Troutman's most successful crossover hit, "I Want To Be Your Man," which reached No. 3 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1987, is represented on the tribute by DeBarge and newcomer Shae Fiol. The cut is slated as the first single. Meanwhile, Robinson's cover of "Party Started" featuring DPG's Kurupt will be serviced to clubs.
Other artists on the set include Ras Kass, B-Real, Kam, tha Liks' Tash, Defari, Mirror, Myeasha Mek, Wally Ali, Merciless Stylz, and G Blac. With the exception of DeBarge's "I Wanna Be Your Man" and G-Blac's "Slow & Easy," each cut was recorded specifically for the tribute.
Troutman first came to prominence with Zapp, the funk outfit he formed with his brothers in the '80s. Throughout his career, he recorded under a number of monikers and worked with a slew of artists, including Shirley Murdoch and the Ohio Players' Sugarfoot. Dr. Dre, Janet Jackson, the Notorious B.I.G., and Ice Cube were just a few of the R&B artists who sampled Troutman's work.
"Roger's music is a part of the backbone of hip-hop, along with James Brown and George Clinton, so I didn't have to think twice about being part of this tribute album," says Ice-T, who contributed "Get on Down" with Xzibit, Kurupt, and Mac Mall.
Here is the tentative track list for "Still More Bounce":
"Party Started," James "J Ro" Robinson and Kurupt
"I Wanna Be Your Man," Chico DeBarge featuring Shae Fiol
"Throw It Up," Snoop Dogg, Tray D, and 4-Tay
"Let Me C' Ya," Lil' Beau and Salim
"Still More Bounce," Rass Kass, Kam, Tash, B-Real, and Spice1
"Bad Days," Defari, Phil Da Agony, and Merciless Stylz
"Slow & Easy," Mirror and Tasha Scott
"Sweat," James "J Ro" Robinson
"Crushed Grapes," J Wells, Merciless Stylz, and K Boogs
"Just for You," Merciless Stylz and G Blac
"Get on Down," Ice-T, Xzibit, Kurupt, and Mac Mall
"Brokenhearted," Myeasha Meks and Wally Ali
Up for Discussion