Starpoint: Pioneers of 80s Funk and R&B
Starpoint was an American R&B and funk band that emerged from Maryland in the late 1970s and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s. The group is best remembered for their crossover hit "Object of My Desire," which became a platinum-selling single and defined their sleek, synth-driven sound.
Early career
Formed in 1975 in Baltimore, Maryland, the band originally consisted of siblings Ernesto, Gregory, and Kayode Phillips along with lead vocalist Renee Diggs. They honed their craft with a blend of funk, soul, and early disco, leading to their self-titled debut album in 1978 on the Chocolate City label, a subsidiary of Casablanca Records.
Breakthrough
Starpoint's commercial breakthrough arrived in 1985 with their fifth studio album, Restless, released on the Elektra Records imprint. The album's lead single, "Object of My Desire," propelled them to national fame, peaking at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving platinum certification for sales exceeding one million copies.
Key tracks
Object of My Desire — This platinum single became the band's signature song, a quintessential 80s dance-pop anthem with an unforgettable synth hook.
He Wants My Body — Another major single from the Restless album, it further cemented their chart presence with its confident, funk-driven style.
It's All Yours — A key track showcasing the band's smooth vocal harmonies and their adept transition into the contemporary R&B landscape of the mid-80s.
The Question — This earlier track from their 1982 album demonstrates their foundational funk roots and skilled musicianship before their pop crossover.
The success of Restless was followed by the 1987 album Make It Last, which produced the R&B hit "I Just Wanna Be Your Lover." The band continued to record and perform, with their final studio album, Always, arriving in 1990, though they never replicated the massive success of their mid-80s peak.
The sophisticated funk and polished R&B of Starpoint finds its musical kin in artists like The Deele, another group that mastered 80s R&B and launched major solo careers. Their crossover dance-pop energy is shared by Midnight Star, who also leveraged synthesizers and electronic beats. Listeners who appreciate Starpoint's vocal harmonies might enjoy the work of The Whispers, known for their smooth soul style. The funk foundation of their earlier work connects them to bands like Cameo, though with a more radio-friendly pop sheen.Starpoint's catalog remains a staple on classic R&B and 80s throwback radio stations, frequently featured in mixes that celebrate the decade's definitive funk and pop sounds. Their music is a regular part of the rotation on dedicated nostalgia FM stations and online radio streams focusing on vintage dance music.
You can hear the timeless funk and R&B hits of Starpoint on radio stations featured across our network. Discover and listen to their essential tracks through the curated playlists of the radio stations available on onairium.com.
