Cameo

Even in an era renown for its outlandish outfits, crazy on-stage antics, and deeply funky grooves, Cameo stood out from their contemporaries by turning up the theatrics to an 11. Led by codpiece-wearing eccentric Larry Blackmon, Cameo emerged in the late 1970s as the obvious successors to legendary funk groups like Parliament and the Ohio Players. While clearly inspired by these groups, they also differentiated themselves by infusing their sweaty funk with elements of hip-hop, reggae, and even synth rock. Throughout the 1980s and into the early ‘90s Cameo ruled the charts with dancefloor classics such as “Word Up,” “Keep It Hot,” and “Candy.” They also became known as masters of the album format, releasing a string of classic LPs that were filled to the brim with hits and deep cuts alike.  In 2019, Cameo announced “El Passo”, the first new single from the band in 19 years and a sign that they still have plenty of funk left in the tank.