CeeLo Green
Biography
Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, known professionally as CeeLo Green, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 30, 1975. He began his music career in the church, as both of his parents were ordained ministers. His father passed away when Green was two, and his mother died when he was eighteen, events that deeply influenced his later songwriting.
Goodie Mob and The Dungeon Family
In the early 1990s, Green co-founded the Southern hip-hop group Goodie Mob along with Big Gipp, T-Mo, and Khujo. The group was part of the Atlanta-based musical collective, the Dungeon Family, which also included the prominent group OutKast. Goodie Mob gained initial recognition for their features on OutKast's debut album, "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" (1994). Their own debut album, "Soul Food" (1995), was critically acclaimed and became a foundational record for the Southern rap scene. After two more albums, "Still Standing" (1998) and "World Party" (1999), Green left the group to pursue a solo career, citing creative differences.
Solo Career and Gnarls Barkley
Green released his first solo album, "Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections," in 2002, followed by "Cee-Lo Green... Is the Soul Machine" in 2004. These albums showcased his eclectic style, blending funk, soul, and hip-hop. In 2006, Green formed the duo Gnarls Barkley with producer Danger Mouse. Their debut album, "St. Elsewhere" (2006), featured the worldwide hit single "Crazy". The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in several countries, propelling Green to mainstream fame. "Crazy" also made history in the UK as the first single to top the charts based on download sales alone. The duo released a second album, "The Odd Couple," in 2008.
The Lady Killer and Other Ventures
CeeLo's solo career reached new heights with his 2010 album, "The Lady Killer". The album's lead single, "Fuck You" (often censored as "Forget You"), was a massive international hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy Award. He has since released several other solo albums, including a Christmas album, "CeeLo's Magic Moment" (2012), "Heart Blanche" (2015), and "CeeLo Green Is Thomas Callaway" (2020). Beyond his music, Green was one of the original coaches on the popular singing competition show "The Voice" from 2011 to 2013. He has also appeared in various films and television shows, including voice work for the animated film "Hotel Transylvania" (2012).