Word Up

Recorded in New York City at Counter Point Studio, Power Station Studio, Quad Recording Studio, and Sound Ideas Studio. Larry Blackmon produced the session, with Eric Calvi mixing and Larry Alexander, Matthew "Krash" Kasha, Michael Sauvage, and Jerry Soloman among the credited engineering staff. Released in 1986, it became Cameo’s first U.S. Top 40 hit and broke the group into the pop mainstream. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 while also becoming a major R&B and dance hit. The track became Cameo’s signature song and remained a durable pop-culture staple long after release. Its chorus and riff have kept it alive through later covers and continued appearances in film, television, and party playlists.