Lipps Inc.: The Minneapolis Sound of Disco-Funk

Lipps Inc. was an American disco and funk group from Minneapolis, best known for their 1980 international chart-topper "Funkytown." The single became a global phenomenon, selling millions of copies and defining the era's dance floor sound.

Early career

The group was formed in 1979 by producer and songwriter Steven Greenberg, who assembled a collective of session musicians and vocalists. Named as a play on the phrase "lip sync," Lipps Inc. was signed to Casablanca Records, the iconic label home to disco giants like Donna Summer and KISS, which provided the perfect platform for their debut.

Breakthrough

Lipps Inc. achieved immediate and massive success with their first single in 1980. "Funkytown," featuring lead vocals by Cynthia Johnson, soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and topped charts in over two dozen countries internationally. The track drove their debut album, Mouth to Mouth, to multi-platinum sales status, cementing its place as a disco anthem.

Key tracks

Funkytown - The group's signature song, a synth-driven disco classic that achieved global number-one status and defined an era.

Rock It - A track from the debut album that showcased the group's funk underpinnings and received substantial club play.

How Long - A later single that demonstrated the group's continued ability to craft catchy, dance-oriented pop-funk following their initial success.

Despite the rapid decline of disco's mainstream popularity shortly after their breakthrough, Lipps Inc. released several more albums, including Pucker Up (1980) and Designer Music (1981). The group's sound evolved with the times, incorporating elements of post-disco, boogie, and early electronic dance music, though they never replicated the monumental success of "Funkytown."

As a definitive act of the Minneapolis sound alongside Prince and The Time, Lipps Inc. left a lasting mark on dance music. Their work, particularly the pioneering electronic production of "Funkytown," has been frequently sampled and covered, ensuring the track's longevity on dance floors for decades. The group's output remains a key chapter in the story of American disco and funk.

Fans of the era's dance music might also enjoy the work of Chic for their sophisticated funk rhythms. The synth-driven side of disco can be heard in Giorgio Moroder productions. For the Minneapolis sound, explore The Time and the revolutionary pop-funk of Prince.