| Charlie Wilson | |
|---|---|
Charlie Wilson performs at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago (April 2010) (photo by Raymond Boyd) |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Kent Wilson |
| Also known as | "Uncle Charlie" |
| Born | January 29, 1953 |
| Origin | Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B Soul Quiet storm Hip Hop Soul Funk |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, Producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, Keyboards, Organ, Drums |
| Years active | 1967-present |
| Labels | Interscope, Jive, P Music Group |
| Associated acts | The Gap Band, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, Will.i.am, Keith Sweat, Babyface |
| Website | charliewilsonmusic.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Keyboards, Moog Bass, Drums, Horns | |
Charles Kent "Charlie" Wilson (born January 29, 1953) is an American R&B singer-songwriter-producer and the former lead vocalist for the Gap Band. As a solo artist he has been nominated for six Grammy awards, received a 2009 Soul Train Icon Award, and a recipient of a BMI Icon Award in 2005. In 2009, he was named Billboard Magazine's #1 Adult R&B Artist, and his song "There Goes My Baby"[1] was named the #1 Urban Adult Song for 2009 in Billboard Magazine.
Wilson is the national spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. As of July 2009, the PCF has raised over $380 million for research and funded more than 1,500 research projects at nearly 200 institutions worldwide. The PCF has set up a Creativity Award in Charlie's name which donates hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to researchers across the country. The Creativity Award allows for the development of creative science which conforms to PCF funding principles but is short-term and designed to allow development of otherwise unfunded but good ideas.
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He was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At age 3, he was taught to sing in church which led the way for him to sing in his junior high school's choir, which was a precursor to his musical career with The Gap Band and later his solo career.
From the start of his career, Charlie and his brothers, Robert and Ronnie, helped define and popularize an upbeat form of funk music that was infectious and lasting with their group The Gap Band. The group's songs like “Outstanding”, "Party Train", "Yearning For Your Love", "Burn Rubber on Me", “You Dropped A Bomb on Me”, and “Oops Upside Your Head” are among their immense catalog and some of the most sampled songs in music history. After 15 albums The Gap Band announced their retirement in 2010.
When you hear Grammy-nominated artist Charlie Wilson’s voice it reminds you of both the past and the present. He is one of the few artists whose vocal style and performance continue to influence some of today’s most popular artists including R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Kanye West.
According to Wilson's website, www.unclecharliewilson.com, he is also known as "Uncle Charlie". This name was given to him by rapper Snoop Dogg,[1] with whom he is good friends. Snoop and his wife, Shante, renewed their vows in April 2008 at Wilson's 20 acre ranch outside of Los Angeles, CA. The event inspired the music video to Wilson's hit "There Goes My Baby"[2] which featured Snoop and his wife and was given to them as a gift symbolizing their relationship.
Wilson has been managed by Michael Paran, CEO of P Music Group [3] for the past 14 years. After years of mismanagement, Paran was responsible for rebranding the GAP Band in 1997 and repositioned them as one of the top R&B touring groups.
A few years later, Paran persuaded Wilson to embark on a solo career even though the odds were against them at the time. They independently released Wilson’s first solo album Bridging The Gap, which scored them Wilson’s first #1 Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary single, “Without You.”[4]. In 2004, Paran successfully negotiated a multi-album deal for Wilson with Jive Records. The first album from that deal, Charlie Last Name Wilson, debuted in the fall of 2005 featuring production from various hit-making producers including R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, Will.i.am, the Underdogs, Kay Gee and The Platinum Brothers. The album, which was certified Gold by the R.I.A.A., produced the ubiquitous hit single, “Charlie Last Name Wilson.”
Since then Charlie has consistently topped the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart with singles from his follow up albums through P Music/Jive Records. His 2009 CD, Uncle Charlie, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 200 and #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart and received two 2010 Grammy nominations, Best R&B Album and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for "There Goes My Baby.”
In December 2010, Just Charlie, was released and spawned the hit single “You Are"[5] which held the #1 spot on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart for 13 weeks as well as 15 weeks consecutively on the Mediabase chart. The song earned two 2012 Grammy nominations, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song giving Wilson, his wife Mahin, and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris (who co-produced the track with Wilson) their first nomination as songwriters together. Wilson's delivery of this beautiful song and its performance at radio have confirmed that it is a wedding classic for years to come.[2]
Wilson has been a sought after vocalist and contributor/collaborator to dozens of songs in the Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B communities. Wilson appeared on The Biggie Duets together with R. Kelly on the song "Mi Casa". He has worked with Snoop Dogg on numerous projects. Their first collaboration was Snoop's 1996 album Tha Doggfather, on which Wilson appeared on four songs: "Doggfather", "Snoop Bounce", "Groupie" (also featuring 213 and Tha Dogg Pound), and "Snoop's Upside Ya Head". He was also featured on the Grammy-nominated single "Beautiful" (together with Pharrell) from Snoop's 2002 album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. Wilson appeared on "Signs" (with Justin Timberlake) and "Perfect", both songs from Snoop's 2004 album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece. He was also featured on Ego Trippin', the 2008 album by Snoop Dogg, on the songs "SD is Out" and "Can't Say Goodbye", the latter was also performed live with Snoop and Wilson at 2008's American Idol Gives Back charity concert.
Wilson also appeared on Mystikal's Ghetto Fabulous album in 1998 and in 2 songs on UGK's 2007 Underground Kingz album: "Quit Hatin' the South" and "How Long Can It Last".
In 2011, chart-topping producer/artist, Kanye West, reached out to include Wilson on his highly anticipated CD, My Dark Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Wilson recorded over a dozen songs with Kanye and appeared on the following songs: "See Me Now," with Kanye West featuring Beyoncé; "All of the Lights," with Kanye West featuring Rihanna; "Lost in the World," "Runaway," and "Monster" with Kanye West featuring Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross. In addition to these songs, Wilson also appeared on five of the G.O.O.D. Friday Releases to promote the new CD including, "Lord, Lord, Lord" with Kanye West featuring Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon and "Good Friday" with Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi and Big Sean.
Wilson has also opted to make it his personal mission to support American troops especially in the Middle East. Wilson and his band have traveled to Kuwait and Iraq four times (2009, 2010, and twice in 2011) taking his critically acclaimed, high energy show to dozens of bases throughout both countries and giving our service men and women a “little taste of home.” Wilson's last trip in November 2011 was a special request by the U.S. Armed Forces for Wilson to return to the Middle East and perform at 5 bases in Kuwait to the thousands of troops stationed there before they returned home from their withdrawl from Iraq under President Barack Obama's campaign promise. A short video clip of the tour can be seen here [6]
In 2008 Wilson also participated and performed on the ABC Television Special, America United: Supporting Our Troops which was taped at Camp Pendleton in California.
Wilson’s struggle with alcohol and drug addiction consumed him in the late 80s and mid-90s after the breakup of the GAP Band. In 1994 he decided to enter rehabilitation and turn his life around seeking to live a clean and sober life which in turn would give him a new perspective on life. In rehab he met social worker Mahin. They married in 1995.[3] As of 2011 Wilson has had 17 years of sobriety. His music continues to resonate with generations of musicians and rappers, many of whom clamor to recreate his soaring vocals, collaborate with him, or just achieve the level of artistic quality that he has maintained. He is recognized as a true ‘living legend’ and his chart-topping solo career has now surpassed the success that he earned with the GAP Band.
Wilson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2008. Fortunately, the cancer was detected early, so he was able to begin treatment immediately. In typical Wilson fashion, he and his wife, Mahin, took this challenge head on and because he received an early diagnosis and was treated properly, he is now cancer free. However, he chose not to keep his diagnosis private. According to Wilson, "I've always been performing but now its time for me to start informing."
Beyond music, Wilson remains committed to promoting awareness and testing for prostate cancer. As a survivor of a disease that afflicts one in six American men—and one in three African American men—Wilson teamed with the Prostate Cancer Foundation in 2008 . “When I learned that the PCF had helped to build a global research enterprise of nearly $10 billion and funded more than 1500 programs at nearly 200 research centers in 12 countries, I knew I wanted to support their efforts,” stated Wilson.
Today he continues to speak at events around the country, educating and encouraging men to get screened for the disease. He also supports the PCF through the sale of his signature fedora hats at his concerts and on his website at www.unclecharliewilson.com/shop.
With music and his work to combat prostate cancer, Wilson has been able to sustain the passion and drive that have been hallmarks of his legendary career. “I’m still living this dream,” Wilson says. “I’m still going to the stage and I’m still having fun. I’m not there just to pick up the check. It’s about the passion and the respect that I have for the game. It keeps me going.”
Wilson has been nominated for six Grammy Awards.
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | RIAA certifications[4] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US[5] | US R&B[6] | |||
| 1992 | You Turn My Life Around
|
— | 42 | |
| 2000 | Bridging the Gap
|
152 | 30 | |
| 2005 | Charlie, Last Name Wilson | 10 | 3 | Gold |
| 2008 | Uncle Charlie
|
2 | 1 | |
| 2010 | Just Charlie
|
19 | 6 | |
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban AC | US R&B[7] | US Hot 100[7] | |||
| 1992 | "You Turn My Life Around" | - | 78 | - | You Turn My Life Around |
| "Sprung on Me" | - | 23 | - | ||
| 2000 | "Without You" | 1 (2 weeks) | 26 | - | Bridging the Gap |
| "Big Pimpin'" (featuring Nate Dogg) | - | - | - | ||
| 2005 | "Charlie, Last Name Wilson" | 1 (8 weeks) | 11 | 67 | Charlie, Last Name Wilson |
| "Magic" | 1 (2 weeks) | 27 | - | ||
| 2008 | "Supa Sexy" (featuring T-Pain & Jamie Foxx) | 10 | 53[8] | - | Uncle Charlie |
| 2009 | "There Goes My Baby " | 1 (10 weeks) | 15 | 98 | |
| "Can't Live Without You"[9] | 1 | 19 | - | ||
| 2010 | "You Are" | 1 (15 weeks) | 13 | 103 | Just Charlie |
| 2011 | "I Wanna Be Your Man" (featuring Fantasia) | 23 | 74 | - | |
| "Life of the Party" | 1 | 20 | 120 | ||
| Year | Song | Artist | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "More Than You'll Ever Know" | Boyz II Men Feat. Charlie Wilson | Twenty | MSM |
| 2011 | "That's My Bitch" | Kanye West & Jay-Z Feat. Elly Jackson & Charlie Wilson | Watch the Throne | Def Jam |
| 2011 | "Beautiful Dancer" | New Boyz ft. Charlie Wilson | Too Cool To Care | Warner |
| 2010 | "See Me Now" | Kanye West ft. Beyoncé and Big Sean | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | Def Jam |
| 2010 | "All of the Lights" | Kanye West | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | Def Jam |
| 2010 | "Lost in the World" | Kanye West ft. Bon Iver | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | Def Jam |
| 2010 | "Runaway" | Kanye West | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | Def Jam |
| 2010 | "Monster" | Kanye West ft. Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross | My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | Def Jam |
| 2010 | "Lord, Lord, Lord" | Kanye West ft. Charlie Wilson, Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon | G.O.O.D. Friday Release | Def Jam |
| 2010 | "Good Friday" | Kanye West ft. Charlie Wilson, Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean | G.O.O.D. Friday Release | Def Jam |
| 2008 | "Snoop Dogg is Out" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson | Ego Trippin | Geffen |
| 2008 | "Can't Say Goodbye" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson | Ego Trippin | Geffen |
| 2007 | "How Long Can it Last" | U.G.K. ft. Charlie Wilson | Underground Kings | Jive |
| 2007 | "Quit Hatin' the South" | U.G.K. ft. Charlie Wilson | Underground Kings | Jive |
| 2007 | "Quit Hatin' the South" | U.G.K. ft. Charlie Wilson | Underground Kings | Jive |
| 2006 | "That Girl" | Pharrell ft. Charlie Wilson | In My Mind | Interscope |
| 2005 | "Mi Casa" | Biggie Smalls ft. Charlie Wilson | Duets: The Final Chapter | Bad Boy |
| 2005 | "Crack Music" | Kanye West | Late Registration | Rock-A-Fella |
| 2004 | "Perfect" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson | Rhythm and Gangsta | Geffen |
| 2004 | "Signs" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson and Justin Timberlake | R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece | Geffen |
| 2002 | "You Got What I Want" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson | Paid Tha Cost To Be Tha Boss | Priority |
| 2002 | "Beautiful" | Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell and Uncle Charlie Wilson | Paid Tha Cost to Be Tha Boss | Priority |
| 2002 | "One Way Street" | Avant and Charlie Wilson | Ecstacy | MCA |
| 1999 | "Pretty Lady" | Mint Condition ft. Charlie Wilson | Life's Aquarium | Elektra |
| 1998 | "Whatcha Wanna Do" | Mia X ft. Charlie Wilson | Mama Drama | No Limit |
| 1998 | "Ghetto Fabulous" | Mystikal ft. Charlie Wilson | Ghetto Fabulous | Jive |
| 1998 | "Show Me Love" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson | Da Game Is To Be Sold | Priority |
| 1997 | "Off the Hook" | Soundtrack | Gridlock'd | Interscope |
| 1996 | "Snoop Bounce" | Snoop Dogg | Tha Doggfather | Death Row |
| 1996 | "Snoop's Upside Your Head" | Snoop Dogg ft. Charlie Wilson | Tha Doggfather | Death Row |
| 1996 | "Up Jump Tha Boogie" | Snoop Dogg | Tha Doggfather | Death Row |
| 1996 | "Groupie" | Snoop Dogg ft. 213, Tha Dogg Pound and Charlie Wilson | Tha Doggfather | Death Row |
| 1994 | "Stuff Like That" | Quincy Jones | Q's Jook Joint | Warner |
| 1994 | "Heaven's Girl" | Quincy Jones, Charlie Wilson, R. Kelly, Ron Isley, Aaron Hall | Q's Jook Joint | Warner |
| 1996 | "Snoop Bounce" | Snoop Dogg | Tha Doggfather | Death Row |
| 1992 | "Its Gonna Be Alright" | Charlie Wilson and Aaron Hall | Boomerang Soundtrack | Arista |
| 1985 | "Computer Love" | Zapp and Roger ft. Charlie Wilson | The New Zapp IV | Warner |