Celebrity Underrated - The Roger Troutman Story

The Influence of Ohio on Music: The Story of Roger Troutman

Overview of Musical Talent Across States

• Many states have produced significant musical talent, with New York often recognized as a major hub.

• Minneapolis is noted for artists like Prince and Jimmy Jam, while Detroit had the Motown sound. Ohio also contributed greatly with groups like the Isley Brothers and Bootsy Collins.

Roger Troutman's Early Life

• Roger Troutman was born on November 29, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio, as the fourth of ten children in a modest home.

• Influenced by musicians such as James Brown and Bootsy Collins, he displayed prodigious talent on guitar from a young age.

Formation of Musical Groups

• Known initially as Little Roger, he formed "Little Roger and the Fabulous Vells," showcasing his multi-instrumental skills.

• He later collaborated with Bootsy Collins who became his mentor; this led to several name changes for their group before settling on "Zap."

Career Development and Challenges

• Zap released their first single "Freedom" under Trapman Records; it marked the introduction of Troutman's signature talk box technique.

• After performing at clubs across the U.S., they caught the attention of George Clinton who signed them to Uncle Jim Records.

Legal Battles and Breakthrough Success

• A legal dispute arose when Troutman opted for a deal with Warner Bros instead of releasing an album through Clinton's label.

• Despite challenges, Zap's self-titled debut album was released in 1980, featuring hit singles that dominated clubs.

Innovations and Health Issues Related to Talk Box

• The song "Bounce to the Ounce" showcased Troutman's innovative use of the talk box which became widely popular but also caused health issues due to saliva buildup.

The Rise of Roger Troutman and Zapp

Early Success and Collaborations

• In 1981, Roger released his first solo album, The Many Faces of Roger, achieving Platinum success with singles like "So Rough, So Tough" and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," which topped the R&B charts.

• Prince's Controversy Tour in 1981 featured Roger and Zapp as opening acts after Warner Bros. Records encouraged this collaboration due to their shared label affiliation.

• Zapp's second album, Zapp Too, was released on October 14, 1982, reaching certified gold status with hits such as "Do I Diddy" and "Dancefloor."

Musical Evolution and New Partnerships

• Roger transitioned from using a talk box to playing harmonica in the hit song "Do I Diddy." The group released their third album, also titled Zapp Too, in July 1983.

• In 1984, Roger's second solo album, The Saga Continues, included the single "Girl Cut It Out," which peaked at number 34 on the US R&B charts.

• On October 25, 1985, Zapp released their fourth album, The New Zapp, featuring the popular single "Computer Love," which reached number 8 on the Billboard R&B charts.

Notable Collaborations and Industry Impact

• While working on "Computer Love," Charlie Wilson contributed vocals but was later removed from the track due to record label decisions amidst its rising popularity.

• In 1985, Roger collaborated with Michael Jackson for the song “Smooth Criminal” from Jackson’s Bad album after Jackson expressed admiration for Zapp’s music.

• Following his work with Michael Jackson, demand for Roger’s sound surged across various artists in the industry.

Continued Success and Community Contributions

• Shirley Murdoch's debut album produced hits like “As We Lay,” reaching number five on Billboard R&B charts. However, by 1988 she decided to return to gospel music.

• Alongside his brother Larry, Roger established Trapman Enterprise to support black communities through affordable housing initiatives without government funding.

Legacy and Influence in Hip-Hop

• In 1987, Roger released his most successful solo project titled Unlimited, featuring “I Want To Be Your Man,” which peaked at number three on Billboard Hot 100.

• Despite financial struggles faced by Trapman Enterprise in the early '90s due to debts exceeding $4 million amid changing musical trends towards hip-hop...

• ...Roger’s influence remained strong as many hip-hop artists sampled his music; notable mentions include Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg among others who drew inspiration from his sound.

Roger Troutman's Rise and Tragic End

Success in the Music Industry

• The song achieved significant commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over two million copies within a month of its release, establishing it as an all-time hip-hop classic.

• Roger Troutman experienced a resurgence in demand, collaborating with numerous new artists and earning substantial income, including cash payments for his contributions to tracks.

• Notably, rapper Take Nye reportedly paid Roger $25,000 for a collaboration, highlighting the lucrative nature of his work during this period.

The Tragic Incident

• On April 25, 1999, Roger Troutman was found shot four times in the torso outside his recording studio and succumbed to injuries during surgery at the hospital.

• His older brother Larry was discovered dead in a car nearby with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head; the vehicle had crashed into a tree.

Investigation Findings

• Witnesses reported that Larry's car matched the description of a vehicle seen leaving the scene of Roger's shooting.

• A .357 Smith & Wesson revolver found with Larry matched the weapon used to shoot Roger, suggesting he may have been responsible for both shootings before taking his own life.

Family Tensions

• Tensions had been escalating between Larry and Roger regarding financial matters related to their family business and Roger's solo career trajectory.

• Speculation exists that Roger sought independence from their family company and wanted to remove Larry from his managerial role.