CAMEO has made their place in the archives of urban music!
As an accomplished writer/producer/director, Blackmon was one of the first to create themebased videos such as “She’s Strange and “Attack Me With Your Love”; which used the acting genius of Laurence Fishburne, Debbie Morgan, and Ann Magnusum appearing in the clip.
L.B.’S abiding search for excellence is exhibited through his endeavors to constantly improve his creativity through the study of dance, acting and music. A sought-after writer/producer/director/ musician; Blackmon has produced projects for several outstanding and chart topping artists including: Bobby Brown, Chaka Kahn, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and 8 Ball & MJG, just to name a few. Many artists have paid respect through the replication of CAMEO’s unique funk-filled sounds.
A multitude of recording artists and filmmakers have re-created and/or used original recorded versions of their favorite CAMEO music and songs in projects/films being played today. These artists include TuPac, Boys II Men, Will Smith, 8-Ball& MJG, Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, KORN, just to name a few.
2010
CAMEO/LARRY BLACKMON
It was Blackmon who popularized the “AWE” - that has been imitated, but never duplicated! Likewise, the phrase “WORD UP” has never lost its appeal with the urban population. BLACKMON & JENKINS emerged as a recording artist via the 1977 debut LP. CARDIAC ARREST, (this included the hit “Rigor Mortis.”) Since then CAMEO has enjoyed an actionpacked, chart filled career.
Two more albums; (WE ALL KNOW WHO WE ARE & UGLY EGO), (released in 1977 and 1978 consecutively) helped establish CAMEO with the music buyers;
but it was their fourth LP- SECRET OMEN (1979) featuring the hit singles “I Just Want to Be” - (CAMEO’S first Gold Single), and “ Sparkle”. This began the Group’s journey to a whole new level of popularity—achieving “Gold Status”. From this album on, all of CAMEO’s LP’s went GOLD-Plus.
Over time, the group ballooned up to 11 members, but in 1982 CAMEO pared down to its core Larry Blackmon & Tomi Jenkins; having refocused, the group then saw some of their largest successes.
Between 1980 and 1985, the group released the following 7 LP’s - Scoring Top 10 Black Music Hits with their singles:
- CAMEOSIS - (1980); which featured the hit title song “Shake Your Pants”
- FEEL ME - (1980); including “Keep It Hot” & “Your Love Takes Me Out”
- KNIGHTS OF THE SOUND TABLE – (1981) with “Freaky Dancing”
- ALLIGATOR WOMAN – (1982) a smash hit single “Flirt” and critic’s favorite.
- STYLE – (1983) including “Slow Moving” & “Heaven Only Knows”
- SHE’S STRANGE – (1984) an acclaimed work including their first Pop Success and #1 hit title song in the US & Great Britain; it also included the controversial “Talking Out The Side Of Your Neck.”
- SINGLE LIFE – (1985) a ground breaking record including the hit singles “Attack Me With Your Love” and the tile cut “Single Life”
CAMEO’S worldwide breakthrough with the WORD UP- LP shook things up in 1986! This platinum-selling album was an international smash! The album was Grammy nominated for the “Record of the Year.” And after opening the show with a rousing performance at the “1st Annual- 1987 Soul Train Music Awards”, CAMEO took home two awards that night: “Best Single/Group” and “Album of the Year” for WORD UP.
The title track was also a TOP POP hit and # 1 Black Music Single. The second release from this album “Candy” did equally as well while the cut “Back & Forth” was a TOP 3 R& B hit. The following year Cameo’s worldwide recognition continued with the release of the Blackmon-produced LP MACHISMO – (1987). This album featured the extraordinary Miles Davis, with Blackmon & Miles collaborating on the single “In the Night”. The collection also included a social commentary - “Skin I’m In ” featuring such talented musicians as Maceo
Parker, Fred Wesley, Bernard Wright, Randy Brecker and Michael Brecker. The year was also marked by CAMEO receiving the American Music Award for “ Favorite Group/Soul, R&B.” 2010
CAMEO/LARRY BLACKMON
An icon in the music industry, CAMEO is a pacemaker. It is no accident that Larry Blackmon is a STYLE & TRENDSETTER; These two entities have been & will continue to be a force to be reckoned with!
