Kool & The Gang and Morris Day

Formed in Jersey City in the mid-'60s, Kool & the Gang, led by Robert "Kool" Bell, became R&B icons with hits like "Celebration" and "Jungle Boogie." Their jazz-influenced funk sound earned them numerous Top 40 hits and gold or platinum albums, including Ladies' Night and Emergency. Collaborating with producer Eumir Deodato, they achieved great success in the '80s. They continued to tour and release music, collaborating with younger artists and maintaining a prominent influence in the music world over decades.

Morris Day, born in Springfield, Illinois, moved to Minneapolis and became the frontman for The Time, pioneers of the Minneapolis sound with hits like "Jungle Love." Known for his suave funk style and collaborations with Prince, Day also had a successful solo career, highlighted by hits such as "Fishnet." Throughout his career, he collaborated with artists like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and released five top R&B albums with The Time. His memoir "On Time: A Princely Life in Funk" was published in 2019.