Zapp is best known for its 1980 funk hit More Bounce to the Ounce (produced by Bootsy Collins). The group recorded five albums as 'Zapp' & Roger recorded five others under his own name.
Roger & Zapp are known for the distinctive synthesized sound produced by recording vocals through a Talk box fed by an electonic synthesizer. Roger's voice can be heard on the Dr. Dre-produced 1996 Tupac Shakur hit "California Love". Roger also appeared on songs by Johnny Gill, Keith Sweat, Eric Benet and H-Town amongst others.
On Sunday, April 25, 1999, Roger Troutman was found shot and critically wounded outside a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio; he died during surgery at a local hospital. Roger's brother Larry was found dead in a car a few blocks away with a single gunshot wound to the head. It is likely that a personal dispute had developed between the two brothers; as far as can be determined, Larry shot Roger, then shot himself.
So Ruff So Tuff
Zapp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
Now lemme tell you people
Let me tell you now
Show these people how
Ruff out here
Ruff out here
Ruff out here
Ruff out here baby
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
Let me tell you people
Let me tell you now
Let me tell you people
You really make me (good god!)
You really make me
You really make me
You make me wanna scream
You make me wanna scream
You make me wanna scream
You make me wanna scream
Owwwwwwwwww
Owwwwwwwwwwww
Ooohh, yeah yeah, yeah
Let me tell you people
Let me tell you now
Let me tell you people
You sure love playin' ruff
So ruff so tuff out here baby
So ruff so tuff out here baby
So ruff so tuff out here baby
So ruff so tuff out here baby
Let me tell you
Check this out
Jus get on down
Jus get on down
Jus get on down
Just get on doowwwwn!
And shake it
And shake it
All around
All around
All around
Forget about ya troubles
Jus get on down
Forget about ya troubles
Jus get, get on
Forget about ya troubles
Jus get on down
Forget about ya troubles
Baby, baby, baby, baby
So ruff so tuff out here baby'
So ruff so tuff out here baby
So ruff so tuff out here baby
The lyrics of Zapp & Roger's "So Ruff So Tuff" are incredibly straightforward and lack any complex meaning. The song begins with Roger saying, "Now wait a minnuute yo!" before repeating the phrase, "So ruff, so tuff out here baby" multiple times. He then proceeds to say, "Let me tell you people," before repeating the same phrase a few more times, urging people to show others how tough they are. The chorus again repeats the opening phrase before transitioning into Roger saying, "You really make me wanna scream" multiple times. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase, "So ruff, so tuff out here baby."
Overall, the song is simply a call-to-action to toughen up and show people how rough and tough one can be. It's a fun and catchy tune that encourages listeners to forget about their troubles and just dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Now wait a minnuuute yo!
Take a moment to listen up!
So ruff, so tuff out here baby
Life in this area is rough and tough, my friend.
Let me tell you people
Listen to what I have to say.
Let tell you people
Allow me to inform you.
Show these people how
Demonstrate how things really are.
Ruff out here
Life is tough and unkind in this area.
You really make me (good god!)
You are really making me mad (oh my goodness!)
You make me wanna scream
You are making me so upset that I feel like screaming!
Owwwwwwwwww
Ouch!
Ooohh, yeah yeah, yeah
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes.
You sure love playin' ruff
You really seem to enjoy acting tough and harsh.
Let me tell you
Allow me to explain further.
Check this out
Pay attention to what I'm about to say next.
Jus get on down
Just start dancing!
Just get on doowwwwn!
Get your groove on and dance away your worries!
And shake it
Move your body to the rhythm of the music.
All around
Everywhere you can.
Forget about ya troubles
Don't worry about your problems.
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Hey, sweetie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROGER TROUTMAN, LARRY TROUTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mrmaxxx94
a true soul Brother anthem and speaking 100. and the funk here still hits hard. respect and RIP
@chrismapa7373
This was g-funk before g-funk actually became g-funk lol. This is the music which Dre often cites as the sole inspiration for Westside G-Funk.
@giraffebecky
FUCK YES IT WAS
@kylemotty5951
RIP Roger and Nate Dogg.
@jacquelinecastillo965
Hell ya🤣💃🏼🔥
@gregdilworth1128
Yea Dre did exactly THAT
@rafeikasratali213
This was a crip tune .
Who riding homie
Yep that would that big hoover .man 1580 kday am wuzz the spot the Friday Greg mack from mack attack
Does any one still in contact with 1580 kday
@CollectorDude01
My sister grew up listening to James Brown. She said when his music came on you couldn't sit through it. You HAD to get up on the good foot and shake that thing! lol Zapp and Roger have that same affect on people.
@toritable7922
Collector Dude ga
@nin920
I know Roger's nephew... Probably one of the best accomplishments of my life.