Zapp and Shirley Murdock

Zapp, led by Roger Troutman, revolutionized '80s funk with their vocoder talk boxes and grooves. From Hamilton, OH, they collaborated with Bootsy Collins, scoring hits like "More Bounce to the Ounce" and "Dance Floor." Roger's solo successes included "I Want to Be Your Man." Known for their influence on electro-funk, they played a role in Dr. Dre & 2Pac's "California Love." The group's lasting legacy was marked by platinum success and tragic loss in 1999.

Singer/songwriter Shirley Murdock, from Toledo, is known for the hit "As We Lay." A gospel singer turned R&B artist, she collaborated with Roger Troutman and released hits like "No More" and "Be Free." Her gold album, Shirley Murdock, featured top R&B tracks.