CeeLo Green (photo courtesy of Primary Wave/LA County Fair)
Atlanta singer CeeLo Green began his career in the early 90s with the hip hop group Goodie Mob. He teamed up with Danger Mouse for Gnarls Barkley’s 2006 debut album, “St. Elsewhere” and “Crazy” were international top 10 hits.
Four years later, Green’s third solo release, “The Lady Killer,” spawned the #2 multi-platinum pop hit “F— You,” which was also released as the radio edit, clean version “Forget You.”
Since then, he has won five Grammys, served as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” performed at the 2012 Super Bowl with Madonna, covered Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting” for the “Kung Fu” soundtrack. Panda” and voiced a character in the Disney+ animated series “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.”
Green’s various guest/collaboration credits include work with Smokey Robinson, Santana, Rod Stewart, TLC, Bruno Mars, Eminem, Outkast, The Pussycat Dolls and others.
We spoke to him in a phone interview from Las Vegas. The interview has been edited for clarity.
Q: What can your fans expect during the Pomona show?
A: We always try to leave a little room for improvisation. I’ll do all the favorites and a few surprises here and there just to keep it interesting. I don’t think two cities, audiences or shows should be exactly the same.
Q: When you perform at fairs, do you take time to participate in any of the festivities, perhaps grab a fried treat or take a ride on the Ferris wheel?
A: No fried Oreos for me. I’m watching my figure. I can hop on some bumper cars and have some fun.
Q: “Serious,” one of your recent singles as The Band Pink with Jack Splash, is an infectious jam reminiscent of Morris Day and the Time, with some Zapp and Prince mixed in there too. Were they an influence?
A: Those are my all-time favorites. Anything I can do with a touch of that nostalgia and a nod was a tip of the hat to these artists, rest in peace. I feel like I take on their spirit and I’m here to be a vehicle for it all. I’m old enough to do that and I appreciate it.
Q: You’ve had an eclectic music career. Does branching out into rock, pop, and country sometimes help keep it all artistically fresh for you?
A: Yes, and my scope is expanded. I can see the spectrum from one end to the other. It’s definitely about walking the line, or going where you gravitate, being pulled in that direction.
Art is really about obedience, about having a bias when it comes to your internal dialogue and how you determine what you think needs to be done. The thing is really alive and you just got the signal.
Q: Your excellent 2020 solo album, “CeeLo Green is Thomas Calloway” (the artist’s real name) was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and ventured into old-school R&B territory. How did fans react to the chill vibe?
A: Sometimes it disappoints me because I don’t know if I can surprise people anymore. I don’t like this feeling. I’m always on the cutting edge of trying to find new and innovative ways to connect and contribute.
So selfishly, at some point, I want to be responsible for probably one of the most diverse, textured, layered careers and catalogs anyone has ever seen. This is a determining point for me.
Q: There’s a new Gnarls Barkley album coming this year. Can you provide any tips on this?
A: I used to be very discreet when talking about Gnarls, but I’m taking a new approach. I’m exaggerating, saying somewhat modestly but gracefully that this could be the sonic shift in culture we’ve all been waiting for. A vibration is going through me. I’m grateful to be instrumental in an act of something supernatural
