Songwriter and performer, actor, producer: it's all about Cee Lo Green. He did not make a dizzying career, but he is known, in demand in show business. The artist had to go to popularity for a long time, but 3 Grammy awards eloquently speak of the success of this path.
Cee Lo Green family
The boy Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, who became popular under the nickname Cee Lo Green, was born on May 30, 1974. It happened in Atlanta. The boy's father and mother were clergy at the Baptist Church. Thomas was immersed in religion since childhood, he sang in the church choir.
The boy lost his father at the age of 2, he died. The boy's mother was injured in a plane crash and was paralyzed. It happened during the guy's 16th birthday, and a couple of years later she died. By this time, his brother had gone to Canada, and 18-year-old Thomas had just started self-employment.
The early years of the future artist Cee Lo Green
The boy studied at a prestigious school in his native Atlanta. He could not boast of a special craving for knowledge. The boy's behavior also left much to be desired. He was incredibly cruel. This was expressed in the brutal treatment of animals. At the age of 10, the boy enthusiastically scoffed at stray dogs.
A little later, he gladly offended homeless people, was engaged in robbery of passers-by. Miraculously, the teenager managed to avoid punishment, having matured, he changed his views, began to regret his previous deeds.
Cee Lo Green: Passion for music, the beginning of creative activity
Thomas loved to sing since childhood, he performed well in the choir. It was at the church that the boy managed to hone his skills. As they grew older, the young man's hobbies changed.
As a teenager, he became interested in hip hop. By the age of 18, the guy was ripe for participation in a musical group. He joined a bunch of guys he knew who wanted to start their own band.
Among Big Gipp, T-Mo, Khujo, the singer was the youngest. The guys were in the shadows for a long time. They recorded their first album only in 1999. It happened under the direction of Koch Records. It was during the creation of the debut album "World Party" that the artist decided to leave the group.
The beginning of the solo musical activity of Cee Lo Green
To disconnect from the group, the singer decided to go his own way. He signed a contract with Arista Records, began a fruitful work. The solo career of the singer was short-lived. He released only 2 full-length records - "Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections", "Cee-Lo Green ... Is the Soul Machine". After that, the performer interrupted independent creativity for a long time.
The beginning of the artist's creative activity was marked by the loss of his mother. In the songs of Goodie Mob, the pain of loss is well traced, love for a loved one is felt. As time passes, the situation changes. The artist's songs become harder and more cynical.
Style Cee Lo Green
Having embarked on solo activities, the singer continued to perform in the manner that has become characteristic of the musical group that he recently left. The first album of 2002 referred the typical hip-hop to the soul reigning in the south. Jazz and funk also mixed in here. This is what distinguished the artist's performance style in comparison with the activities of his former team.
He did not just disconnect from the group, copying the old style of creativity. In solo work, the growth of the singer at a professional level was noticeable. In general, the album was not widely known. Listeners liked the single "Closet Freak". The performer created all the songs himself.
Cee Lo Green's second solo recording
When recording the second solo album in 2004, the artist actively collaborated with other performers. Timbaland had a particular influence on his work. Their joint single achieved good results.
Timbaland then acted as the singer's producer for some time. In general, the second collection turned out to be more saturated with stylistic diversity. Here you can feel the immersion in the southern rap.
Cee Lo Green: Best of compilation release
Hoping for the opportunity to develop the singer as a solo artist, Arista Records published a collection of the artist's popular songs. The disc included 17 tracks. The basis was the solo creations of the artist. The album "Closet Freak: The Best of Cee-Lo Green the Soul Machine" did not add success to the artist.
Resuming work with the ex-team
In 2005, information appeared about the return of the artist to the musical team. The guys talked about the intention to record a joint album. As a result, they released only one song. This ended their joint work, but the guys maintain a good relationship.
Working with a DJ
With DJ Danger Mouse, the artist made acquaintance even before the two thousandth. They did not contact for a long time, but in 2005 they decided to cooperate. In 2006, the guys realized the first joint work “St. Elsewhere", which became successful in England. In 2008, the duo recorded "The Odd Couple", which did not repeat the achievements of the first album.
Recording a soundtrack for a video game
In 2008, Cee Lo Green wrote and performed a song on the video game soundtrack. The track "Falling" became popular due to recognition. The composition was produced by British trance DJ Paul Oakenfold.
Resumption of solo career
In the summer of 2010, the artist released his new single "Fuck You!", which he presented on YouTube video hosting. At first he intended to announce a new album, but limited himself to a single song. The track quickly gained popularity.
In the first week, he collected more than 2 million views. Given this, the artist quickly shot a video, and by the end of autumn he released a new album. He achieved UK gold status, and the song "Fuck You!" was nominated for a Grammy in 4 categories.
Recent work by Cee Lo Green
Currently, the singer has moved away from solo work. He composes, sings songs, produces. Among the recent works of the artist is a duet with Jazze Pha. They released a joint album. Cee Lo Green is also busy creating a solo project for former The Pussycat Dolls singer. The singer continues to collaborate with Paul Oakenfold. He is busy preparing his solo album.
The personal life of an artist
At the beginning of the new century, Cee Lo Green officially formalized the relationship with his girlfriend. A son appeared in the family. Despite a long acquaintance before marriage, the union did not last long. After 5 years, the couple broke up. Being married, the man adopted 2 girls of his wife. In 2010, one of the stepdaughters gave birth to a child, and her adoptive father automatically became a grandfather.
