Cee Lo Green

Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, known professionally as CeeLo Green, was born on May 30, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia. His early life was marked by personal challenges, including the passing of his father at age two and his mother at eighteen, events he later explored in his music. Green’s musical journey began in church, leading him to co-found the Southern hip-hop group Goodie Mob in 1991. The group’s debut album, “Soul Food,” released in 1995, garnered critical acclaim for its innovative sound within the emerging Southern rap scene. During this period, Green also contributed backing vocals to TLC’s 1995 hit “Waterfalls.” His work with Goodie Mob continued with “Still Standing” (1998) and “World Party” (1999).

In 1999, CeeLo Green embarked on a solo career, signing with Arista Records. His debut solo album, “Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections” (2002), showcased his unique style but saw modest commercial success. This was followed by “Cee-Lo Green… Is the Soul Machine” (2004), which further explored his soulful hip-hop sound and featured collaborations with artists like Ludacris and Pharrell Williams. A pivotal moment in his career came in 2003 when he formed Gnarls Barkley with Danger Mouse. Their 2006 single, “Crazy,” became a global phenomenon, topping charts in numerous countries and establishing Green as an international artist. The duo released a second album, “The Odd Couple,” in 2008.

CeeLo Green’s solo career reached new heights in 2010 with the release of “The Lady Killer” and its viral hit single “Fuck You!” (or “Forget You!”). The song achieved multi-platinum status across various regions and earned him multiple Grammy nominations. He toured extensively with an all-female backing band, Scarlet Fever, and performed at major events such as the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show with Madonna in 2012. Green served as a judge and coach on the American reality television competition “The Voice” from 2011 to 2013. His later solo albums include “Cee Lo’s Magic Moment” (2012), “Heart Blanche” (2015), and “CeeLo Green Is Thomas Callaway” (2020), alongside reunion albums with Goodie Mob. He has also ventured into acting and voice work, appearing in films like “Hotel Transylvania” and various television programs.