Troutman, Roger. Flamboyant synth-funk producer and leader of early-’80s funk band Zapp, best known for its quasi-underground hits “More Bounce to the Ounce” and “Dance Floor.” Troutman’s trademark kitsch-futuristic sound was enhanced by his processing of his vocals through a vocoder, which he referred to as a “Ghetto Robot.” Though his career was resuscitated by his appearance on Dr. Dre and Tupac’s 1996 hit, “California Love,” Troutman died tragically three years later when he was gunned down by his brother-manager, who then committed suicide.
