Just Be Yourself - Cameo

Performance from Rhythm and Rawls.

[@69TT]

Bands back in the day as well the concerts were the BEST EVER!

[@711marvel]

Cameo and Larry Blackmon don't get the Credit they deserve. I mean these boy's have written and produced some of the funkiest songs that have ever been created. These brothers are the Truth!

[@CrowdPleeza]

So many of their late 70's and early 80's songs still sound fresh today.

[@Papa123-k1i]

711marvel preach

[@333ministries]

They are one of the most underrated Funk groups they rank up there with Parliament any day

[@jdwhit_7380]

You're probably a little younger than I am but Cameo was THE band back in the 80s! Anyone who knows R&B music knows Cameo...Word Up, Candy, Single Life, Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck, Single Life

[@martelprayer416]

@@jdwhit_7380 Soooo true my man - Cameo was off-the-chain!

[@stefaniehollins298]

Can we say please give them an unsung episode they deserve it

[@YaoEspirito]

That's gibberish, dear.

[@JuiceSkyy]

If it aint been done yet.. .. were still waiting on the unsung ep of cameo... and make it two hours long 🤜🏿

[@musaddaroo2525]

Black folks it's this time just be ur self brother Musa daroo shabazz's

[@attlevi]

I agree. They need an Unsung tribute or a Tales From The Tourbus.

[@mrquick6775]

Yep, they definitely deserve one!

[@gregoryburton1241]

If you ever saw them back in the early 80’s, you’d never forget them. Great musicians and entertainers.

[@markesertalkink8723]

People don’t realize that Larry can play every damn thing on the stage. He is literally a musical genius. Heck, he wrote most of the songs, especially the early stuff and he, Charlie, Tomi and Nathan wrote a lot of the later stuff. Hella drummer too. People talk about the late Great ( sounds funny saying late) but the late Great Prince, but give Larry his due. Also, if you’re EVER feeling down, “listen to “Love Yourself” (Tomi sings lead and is incredible) it will brighten your day. (Oh, and the song is on the emotional violence album).

[@skinnyman1434]

You're right Tomi sang that thang. Another under the radar jam was "That kind of guy".

[@DavidLightWill]

thanks for the post ---love that song

[@Informationstation-gw8wx]

You ain't never lied. Flowers are due.

[@jferra5]

Cameo and Prince, my all favs!

[@Igaveyoumyfakename]

Larry is very talented. But let's keep it one hundred... he's no Prince.

[@saj8]

Charlie Singleton is the unsung hero of Cameo.

[@bigkeezo]

Say it louder

[@mrquick6775]

Just what I was thinking too! Next up Wayne Cooper.. But Larry made it all happen!

[@chuckst98]

I remember when Alligator Woman came out I bought the cassette and played it until I wore it out!! Cameo is undoubtedly the funkiest band to ever perform!!!!!

[@yahudahbenisrael3774]

There will never be another cameo.

[@Professional_444]

Do you think Cromeo comes close?

[@pasotay]

Summer of 1981 - I woke from a nap and CAMEO was on TV - IN PRIME TIME - ON NBC! I thought it was a dream...I remember this show! They also had a Taste of Honey on there...

[@pasotay]

Al Reyes No Wait - Had to have been in '82!

[@UNKLP66]

yes summer of 1982 this was also the first time we saw Arsenio Hall too..

[@hjoseph777]

@@pasotayAmazing you got to see them live! I love 80s and 90s songs no one top that. I feel like I was born in the wrong decade.

[@screwed4life_4thward]

One of the best Funk bands ever! I love their music!

[@JeanCarlosabc123]

+Screwheads United for Cash One of the best ?? THE BEST funk band!!

[@screwed4life_4thward]

Jean carlos Agreed!

[@derickg73]

That FUNK, the whole FUNK, and nothing but the FUNK! Can u dig it?

[@deomnijackson647]

Pure unadulterated FUNK!!

[@dd317]

Famous line from The Warriors 1979, Can you dig it? Funk, the more outrageous the outfits and antics the more I liked it. Love these videos. Thanks!

[@texashsad]

I can, and do! :)

[@TheCaulfield1]

I can definitely dig it!!

[@tomj2459]

@@dd317 No, that line I've heard in FUNKADELIC'S '78 - "One Nation Under A Groove (gettin' down, just for the funk of it)" first. Come on soul-funk people, where ya' at ???!!

[@teddys3558]

These brothas need to be in the Hall of Fame! Loooove this song! It was my cut back in the day!

[@Gexxon]

Gawd damn that's funky shit right there. How can anyone thumbs down this awesome funk band. Loves me some CAMEO

[@kelvinbryant7602]

Dam I love this band

[@nate4586]

Michael Burnett is plucking the hell out off that bass RIP my brother

[@b.keithlogan1705]

nathan rogers from what I know that is Aaron Mills on that bass line.

[@nathanrogers4018]

No that's Michael Burnett up there with them

[@jimy0803]

B. Keith Logan Dude is right, that was Burnett who joined for the Alligator Woman album. Mills left after Knights of the Sound Table.

[@jamesmoore4732]

It's amazing that after Aaron Mills left Cameo remained funky with Burnett. Those 2 gave Cameo their funk!

[@larrycancooke2]

Cameo was known for some of the funkiest bass lines ever... Slave just had a unique bass player and sound....but..... I like Cameos rendition of Slide.. Better then Slaves...lol

[@waynemcdaniel7405]

One of The Great Funk Bands of All Time, so many gems right thru their catalog. This cut was and still is one of my favourites!🤘🏾

[@jaymatic23]

CAMEO kings of the rawest most grimey funk ever produced. I think they held up the best during the 80s out of all the groups that came out of the 70s

[@7SKYBALLER]

Cameo ALWAYS has a POSITIVE message !

[@tracysullivan3715]

Class of 82’ is in the house!!! “Hooooo!!!!” Still sounds dope as ever in 2020’ ❤️🎵🎶

[@garrybeverly4906]

WE NEED TO PUT CAMEO IN A SUPER BOWL CONCERT

[@CM-le3py]

Yup

[@jamesgraham3116]

Won't happen. Would be nice though.

[@zabrinahorton3156]

Yes! Or just a video concert

[@johnstondblack3005]

Hell Yeah!

[@curt349]

Good luck with that

[@DianneReevesFan]

Cameo was the DA JOINT back in the day! This group changed so much after Charlie Singleton joined. I still loved them, but. I really missed the blaring horn section.

[@khobia2]

Dude we were jamming to this in high school in Barbados when this joint first came out. Good times. Whew! We were like what is this new funky sound?

[@melodysanger103]

HAPPY 61ST BIRTHDAY LARRY BLACKMON (MAY 24, 2017)

[@eddielester3589]

I get so emotional when I see this great band,knowing Wayne Cooper has left us!

[@THEREALLORDJ]

& HE WAS THERE BEST SINGER

[@rayredding72]

Alligator Woman is SUCH an underrated record. My Mother and I were in the record store in the 80s after it's release and bought it hearing it played in the store....after making the honor roll and a record coming to me.....hearing tracks like this made it an easy call. #ChocolateCity

[@vburd62]

+rayredding72 how was it underrated..it went gold and placed #6 on the charts.

[@jermanepatterson1665]

Love that song! Alligator Woman was a jam back in the day. I had the record.

[@a.c.6475]

Most fans don't realize that was "Vanity" on the LP cover!

[@ddemonjjv]

What I love about Cameo is the great funky music with a positive message!

[@s.k.sandles7005]

Everything prior to Candy is the Cameo I loved to hear....this was one of those tracks that was underrated and so damn fonky!!!!

[@carolynstone6309]

I miss this early 80s sound!! They was rockin!!!😎😀

[@vburd62]

those jerky moves are right on time...nobody out funked cameo, and i mean NOBODY

[@themastere4572]

Don't forget about the Commodores Live In Lost Vagas concert

[@ericmatthews8446]

What about Lakeside?

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Vince Burden Really? Cameo had some serious jams but came close to sounding corny compared to The U.S. Funk Mob bka Parliament/Funkadelic. #niggapleez

[@vburd62]

Well, maybe that's because parliament and cameo were two completely different types of bands?...

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Vince Burden Uhh...no. They were funk bands. Just like their 70's contemporaries The Ohio Players, The Barkays, ConFunkShun, Rick James & The Stone City Band, Brick, Slave...etc etc.

[@moegrant4433]

Larry is a genius!!! No groups wrote songs around the bassline being the melody… Cameo always led with the bass with Larry singing the bassline as the melody.

[@apollosolo1582]

I don't know what happened between Cameo and the NY radio market back in the day, but this song did not receive much airplay. I suspect it might have been some beef between them and the legendary DJ. F. Crocker. This may have also lead to the group leaving their original home in NYC to the ATL. Nevertheless, this group is as the late D. Cornelius referred to them as very Slick and very Funky and one of the badest groups in music history. in spite of their later success on a larger market, they remain unsung for the efforts they put out and their commitment to EXCELLENCE. Thanks for posting!

[@needpoor]

Nice funky song! I was in prison when it came out. I heard it on radio in there. Been out 12 years. I'm just now seeing this video in the free-world. I can't stop watching it.

[@travesotom6890]

Classic funk Cameo had it on lockdown that funky baseline is lethal, they are the Kings of Funk, this jam is insane 😆😁

[@bigfinewomanful]

Cameo got me through college.....thank God for the funk.

[@sammyslam1]

The bass line to this jam is out of this freakin world and the effects they have on it are sick!!

[@patrickholmes4103]

It's a bass line accompanied by lead guitar which gives it the sound we all enjoy.

[@leobutler3571]

I saw them twice; Cameo came on stage b4 Rick James and turned it out man... Slick Rick was late very late coming on stage lol tha shout Q was Cameos... But Slick Rick and tha Stone City band showed up and showed out tha rest is history Fuck live y'all 4ever 🙏🏿💪🏿🙏🏿

[@EraMartin-us9yo]

Cameo is the funkiest band out Still here today2024.

[@jeffjacobs6980]

Why is Cameo is not in the rock and roll hall of fame????? Some one needs to tell me please & TY

[@DavidLightWill]

agreed

[@tomj2459]

2:13 that transition/bridge, the song really takes off, the feeling's smooth and tight. Then "SCRATCH", later.. LOL

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

This here’s what you play for people whose idea of ‘funk’ is Bruno Mars 👋🏽😑

[@tomj2459]

that's a big LOL from me..

[@victorevanssr.5034]

Amen

[@timothybrown4213]

For real

[@eatallnowsavenone4later342]

Ikr!!!

[@k.stewart3626]

Wow couldn’t of said it better myself 😂

[@timmyjones1921]

Ive not seen Cameo live since the 1980's , those was the funk party days Big Time .

[@ParisRoller11]

So funky, It gave me chills!

[@dennysmith2661]

I'm sorry but you ghottdamn right

[@jefferygray5948]

Always been my favorite group. That bass 🔊 is sick!!

[@casanovaredmond8982]

NO THE SONG IS FROM 1982 DURING THE SUMMER NOT THE 70'S AT ALL , I REMEMBER ALL CAMEO HITS,

[@sticky3983]

casanova redmond yes, 1982 off the Alligator Woman album. I had the cassette

[@waynefoote3781]

Man....The choreography is incredible! Just watching these guys is fun! A Genius group led by the incredible Mr. larry Blackmon!

[@brightasare7583]

Highly orchestrated funk group ever after. No more good funk nowadays

[@sauquoit13456]

On this day in 1982 {June 19th} Cameo performed "Just Be Yourself" on the nationally syndicated television program, 'Soul Train'... At the time the song was at position #25 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, seven weeks earlier it had peaked at #12, and remained at #12 for six weeks... And on the same 'Soul Train' episode they also performed "Flirt", it would reached #10 on the Hot Black Singles chart... Between 1977 and 2001 the NYC group had thirty nine records on the Hot Black Singles chart, sixteen made the Top with four* reaching #1, "She's Strange" for 4 weeks in 1984, "Word Up!" for 3 weeks in 1986, "Candy" for 2 weeks in 1987, and "Loverboy" with Mariah Carey, for 2 weeks in 2001... R.I.P. Don Cornelius {1936 - 2012}... * They just missed having a fifth #1 record when their "Single Life" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} in October 1985, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Part-Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder...

[@oakwoodite2000]

some think this song was from the 70's. this track is actually from 1982.

[@xxphactor]

As much as I loved Word Up and everything afterwards, it's that funkulious before they became pop-jacked that I appreciated the most. I remember Alligator Woman seemed to be about the time that their funk was changing a little bit, but one aspect that never seemed to change was their harmonizing. It was always on point as much as their funk.

[@rodneysapyta1374]

I MISS THIS MUSIC GREAT MUSIC!!

[@kevon1242]

Pure fun,They had pure fun back then,the stage was a play ground for everybody "ride whatever you want".

[@MrKoolkh]

I LOVE THESE GUYS CAMEO FOR LIFE.......

[@sevendaggers4678]

+MrKoolkh ohh my - i couldnt find that special funky vibe in other bands ... i found the best traacks in alligator woman - and they also make a great ballad ... will never look for love

[@robm.2739]

My first Cameo concert was when Alligator Woman was released........ and have not missed them since CAMEOSIS!!!!!

[@mikesmith8782]

My first Cameo of a Cameo Concert was in Dallas Texas , mid -late 80's they came with Toni Braxton ,and Frankie Beverly & Maze I believe , that was a great Concert too

[@Mr-Keyes]

The Allligator Woman album was when Larry Blackmon decided after 7 albums to be up front ,instead of behind the drums.

[@DavidLightWill]

thanks for the info

[@Mr-Keyes]

@@DavidLightWill No Problem but I made an error with Charlie Singleton, he made his debut with Cameo on "Knights of the Sound Table" which was the album before this one.

[@melodysanger103]

FLIRT **THIS WEEK IN MUSIC HISTORY** 40 YEARS AGO (March 22, 1982): Cameo released their album “Alligator Woman” (#6 R&B album charts; #23 pop album charts) . Cameo’s lineup was reduced to a 5-piece group: Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Nathan Leftenant, Charlie Singleton, and Greg Johnson (who left Cameo after the album’s release and tour). Singer/actress/minister Denise Matthews (formerly known as Vanity) was the model in the album’s front cover. (03/23/2022)

[@jirvin3268]

Charlie Singleton Is Tha Shit!! Loved That Dude!! My fave member of Cameo

[@bigkeezo]

Yep Charlie contributed a whole lot to the band

[@reginaldminor287]

They slept on Charlie singleton..listen to the slow jams on ...knights of the sound table.. At two of the coldest jams ever made to me. ..." I'll always stay....." for you" timeless..that brother can blow..

[@LYBism]

I didn't!! I've ALWAYS loved Charlie. He and Larry are my favorites in the band.

[@bigkeezo]

And he amazing guitarist contributed a chunk of funk Cameo

[@flacoptr85]

IM TELLING MY KIDS THIS IS THE POWER RANGERS

[@lhdollbaby]

True pure, talented funk!!!!!!!

[@Cluless02]

That drum fill @ 2:05 is too funky!!

[@kobe1901]

They also had some serious ballads. Sparkle, Why have I lost you, and Feel me.

[@petermoulden6912]

AT 2:41 is a Cameo guitar part, where Prince jacked, the guitar part for his song Kiss . This Cameo song came out in 1982 and Prince song Kiss came out in 1986 .

[@MarkAntney]

Though it was mainly Blackmon, they did ALL their own writing, music,...and though I'm still a fan of my Hip-Hop, the Cameos, EWFs, LTDs, Rick James, Prince,...did their own thing, no sampling.

[@gregoryhertzog9787]

Nothing like that Cameo Cameo like that Cameo sounds New York city players 👀😎 All Struggling strategy stillwater Soulful Gospels African American 🥳 Party and harty band players 2022 Thank 😊🙏😊🙏you 😊 hits makers Always changed Inspiration time ⏲️.

[@olufemialade1439]

I definitely remember this song) video...,..wow still fresh

[@FighterPilot1945]

What year was thi..I love cameo but never heard this song?

[@HUSTLEMAN2]

@valiente16 Charlie Singleton was never in the Deele the Deele was: L.A. Reid,Babyface,Carlos,Kayo ,Dee Bristol and Stick Burell! One of my fave bands!

[@CaptainMarvel08]

Audience got hit by a 100’ tidal wave of Funk that no one was ready for!

[@eduardorivera4343]

THIS IS THE JAM RIGHT HERE!!!

[@sullivanhall021]

O.M.G. THE LEAD SINGER ON THE ELECTRIC GUITAR, THROUGH AWAY HIS GUITAR PIC AND KEPT PLAYING. WOW !!!

[@Ajtori93]

My folks used to play this back in the 80's.My uncle was a dj and he kept all the hits records in crates.I couldnt find this album at all,lol.But i remember the song.Cameo was bad!!!!!

[@russelle.paynejr.9488]

I remember being in the Navy in Cali and over seas in the late 70's and 80's. I heard they're music and had been fortunate to catch them in concert every now and then. They are a superior group and they out did any body in the funk earer for sure. They are up there with E.W.F. in my book. No, they don't get the notoriety that they should have. But, they did get a big award not too long ago that was over due that they surely deserved!

[@fabibass]

the best of all the funk bands...

[@sky1luv793]

Theyre great but they aint the best. I think Parliament/Funkadelic would have something to say.

[@davebrown9714]

@@sky1luv793 no doubt I TOTALLY agree with you on that 👍🏾

[@baylewis5163]

The best group that ever was cameo

[@jpm4444]

hard to find a bad cameo or barkays song; forgot about this great one; nice!!

[@d.webster4042]

I remember sitting on the roof with my speakers and my dog bumping this to the neighborhood.

[@k27sweat]

Cameo was way ahead of their time!!

[@80smusicremixes]

Now that's what i call a funk workout, lol! ;)

[@treywilson9901]

This is just incredible.

[@misscritique84]

Love Cameo , this is one of my fave bangers by them..

[@trkdvrkevin]

This song is from the album ALLIGATOR WOMAN

[@williamsmith1609]

Saw them in concert in 1982 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, when I was 16. They were part of Rick James Throwin Down tour. One way was on the ticket too. That concert kicked ass....

[@ManiMani548]

It's hyper-ultra-supersonic funk. Emblem of the style!

[@mmb1487]

These Are some Bad boys Keep it Hot Cameo been rocking for Years one of the baddest Bands Ever and its Real Music

[@willburrito9710]

Good Gawd Y’all. Finding this will let me live anotha 50 years.

[@ladyelizabeth9057]

Love this group they should get there props, this is one of my songs as well😃💕💖

[@richardthurmond7103]

cameo is funky as hell

[@Informationstation-gw8wx]

Jr high was lit and Cameo was my soundtrack. The Time took over in highschool.

[@DJWOLFLIVE]

Funk is undeniable!!!!!!

[@cgstylzes]

my favorite group today

[@colinmccauley3301]

a real truly show band. sound, sound, sound. dynamic.

[@cocochanel3074]

Love this song!! Cameo was great!!!

[@dwaynehollinshed7022]

This the kind of funk I was raised on!

[@The12Believe]

Man that was the Jam! Just be yourself!!! Awesome

[@victorevanssr.5034]

That is just so so damn funky

[@a.c.6475]

This was "82" the height of my poppin' days! Good memories!

[@donh5794]

Ho! Amazing how good this still sounds in 2023.

[@markjackson9300]

This was my Jam back in the day!

[@deborahrowland981]

Ahhhhh....That BASS!!!!!I can feel it go right through me...

[@CDogg-kn4wt]

I haven't heard this song in decades wow!

[@arkantika3927]

Don't get any more slamming than this right here . CAMEO fever!

[@skinnyman1434]

On the back porch taking a breatherbreak. The same 20yr old Cousin l crack on constantly about letting any and everybody know what kind of Draws he's wearing just triple teamed me with his friends while we were watching this. I'm the only O.M.C. Member here so it's just pointless trying to go back and forth with em, I couldn't even hear the record. I can now out here, fu(beep) them. Cameo was one of the BADDEST Bands in the land. Boy did we use to have fun.