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If pop music feels like one big family — and it often does, with its over-emoting and petty rivalries — then it's high time to pay respect to our favorite uncle. Charlie Wilson is a living legend — the former lead singer of 70s funk group The Gap Band, the hustler-approved voice behind hits like Pharrell's "Beautiful" and most recently, as the fiery, soulful singer on several of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Friday jams. No matter how you came to know him, "Uncle" Charlie (a nickname given by Snoop Dogg) deserves credit for keeping the dance floor filled now more than ever. Good thing he's got a new album, Just Charlie.
Check out our exclusive interview with the timeless artist below and find out about his collaborations with Kanye, his friendship with Fantasia, and why he's not trying to take the pimp out of the game — he's trying to be just Charlie.
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Posts Tagged ‘Charlie Wilson’
Kanye West Turns On “All Of The Lights”
Wed Nov 3 2010 by Idolator Staff
Kanye West revealed at the premiere of his 35-minute art film that his single "All Of The Lights", featuring a massive ensemble of 11 different artists, would be both "completely seamless and completely ghetto as f---," and now we see what he means. Blaring horns and a frantic beat announce the arrival of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy's climax, and it's true: all those artists (Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Elly Jackson) really did fit in one track (though you won't hear Elton John til the last 45 seconds). But what exactly does West want us to see when all those lights are turned on? Listen below:
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Kanye West Has Got “The Joy” In His Latest “G.O.O.D. Friday” Track
Sat Oct 30 2010 by Becky Bain
Kanye West has finally finished his album, but the generous artiste isn't through giving away tracks for free. (Maybe he's just in a good mood after his short film Runaway recieved mostly positive reviews from critics and fans alike?) The latest G.O.O.D. Friday (more like G.O.O.D. Saturday) jam, "This Joy", carries a soulful spin, thanks to a hook built on soul icon Curtis Mayfield's velvety vocals. It doesn't hurt that Foxy Brown (or Jackie Brown, depending on what generation you're from) herself, Pam Grier, appears in all her glory on the single cover art. Kanye, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Charlie Wilson and more throw it down, old-school, after the jump.
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Oh “Lord Lord Lord”: Kanye West Releases Another “G.O.O.D. Friday” Song
Sat Sep 18 2010 by Idolator Staff
Kanye West's "G.O.O.D. Fridays" digital singles series picks up this week with "Lord Lord Lord", a spacy soul jam in the style of "Devil In A New Dress" with flavor provided by legendary lyricist (and Kanye push-up contest rival) Mos Def. Kanye and his rotating "G.O.O.D. Friday" cast — including superproducer Swizz Beatz, former Gap Band singer Charlie Wilson — wrapped this one up early this morning (just a little late, as Swizz admitted), and it's a fine addition to the series. Listen (and download) below: More »
Kanye West’s “Good Friday” MP3 Is Ready For You
Sat Sep 11 2010 by Idolator Staff
Kanye West seemed so fixated on New York Fashion Week and his missing antique fish tank that, for a brief moment, we weren't sure he'd be able to keep up with his scheduled weekly song giveaway. (Even Kanye seemed uncertain). But who are we kidding? 'Ye is on fire right now, and seems incapable of letting us down. Last night he posted his third G.O.O.D. Friday track, a vintage jam that, like mixtape track "Wylin 'Cause I'm Young", features Kid Cudi... along with four(!) other artists. Listen below as Kanye reminds you that it's Fashion Week: More »
The Supa Sexxy Charlie Wilson Disc Is Finally For Sale
Wed Feb 18 2009 by Dan Gibson
I’ve used my bully pulpit on this site to complain about the endlessly delayed release of Charlie Wilson’s Uncle Charlie, so it only seems fair to mention that Jive finally put the album out, eight months after the commercial release of the spectacular T-Pain-assisted single “Supa Sexxy.” (It’s also been a year since that song leaked.) Amazingly, an album with a bankable urban star and a deluge of guest appearances actually seems to be selling; trade rag HITS is projecting that the former Gap Band singer’s solo effort will make next week’s top five, moving around 50,000 copies. If you’re looking for something grown and sexy, the disc has its moments, including “Let It Out” with Snoop Dogg and a track featuring Lil Wayne. Fan-made videos for “Let It Out” and the still quite enjoyable “Supa Sexxy” are below the cut.
What Happened To The Charlie Wilson Album?
Fri Nov 7 2008 by Dan Gibson
Earlier this year, I posted the video for “Supa Sexxy”, former Gap Band singer Charlie Wilson’s collaboration with T-Pain. At the time, I wonderd why the track wasn’t more popular. Now, it’s eight months later and the album of the same title seems to be lost forever. But why?
Time To Get With The Charlie Wilson Program, People
Tue Mar 25 2008 by Dan Gibson
While it seems that having T-Pain on your track is enough to drive a song to the top these days, apparently that axiom doesn’t quite apply to 55-year-old Charlie Wilson, formerly of the Gap Band. America, you’ve let 2 Pistols have a moment in the sun–it’s time to give some love to Uncle Charlie. (Wait, that doesn’t sound exactly like I had intended.)
