Charlie Wilson
Feb 7, 2011
Timeless. It's something every artist wants to be, but few earn the distinction. Charlie Wilson's name is on that short list. From his breakout as a member of the Gap Band ("You Dropped A Bomb On Me," "Outstanding") in the '80s to his revered solo recordings (2005's certified gold Charlie, Last Name Wilson, 2009's Grammy nominated Uncle Charlie), Wilson has sold millions of albums, inspired a throng of artists who modeled their vocal stylings after his (most notably Aaron Hall and R. Kelly) and cemented his status as a musical icon with accolades from Billboard and BET, among a host of others.
Now, with his third Jive Records solo album Just Charlie, (December, 2010) Wilson is on a mission:to teach people how to respect, treat and speak to women. It's about respect and total commitment, something Wilson puts on full display with the lead single "You Are," produced by Wilson and P Music Group producer/songwriter Wirlie Morris.
"The first time I heard the song I knew it was going to be timeless and probably one of the best Charlie had recorded in his career so I immediately thought to add an extra layer of distinction and bring in a live orchestra," stated Michael Paran, of P Music Group, who has managed and guided Wilson's successful solo career for the last 13 years. "So we reached out to Larry Batiste, Musical Director for the Pre-Grammy telecasts who did the orchestral arrangements which took the song over the top."
And for millions of people, their dream is to be in love. That's why Wilson chose to remake his good friend Roger Troutman's "I Wanna Be Your Man." This stellar cover features Fantasia and depicts the type of yearning people have before their love is reciprocated. For others, it's a love past that makes them realize that maybe they "Never Got Enough" of that person. This cut contains classic funk elements and lively keyboards, sounds that work well with the intensity in which some reflect upon a love lost.
The single, "I Wanna Be Your Man" is now impacting Urban AC.
But it's triumph that truly defines Just Charlie. After navigating through exhilarating highs and unspeakable lows, Wilson found redemption, a journey he documents on the driving, empowering "Where Would I Be." "I went from rags to riches, riches to rags, rags to the curb and from the curb to being homeless," he reveals. "Now I'm back to being a No. 1 artist and I couldn't have done it without my woman. To have a woman who stands by your side no matter what you're going through, the ups and the downs and the in-betweens, where would I be without her?"
And where would music be without Charlie Wilson? With The Gap Band, Wilson and brothers Ronnie and Robert helped define and popularize an upbeat form of funk that was equally infectious and lasting. "Outstanding," "You Dropped a Bomb On Me," and "I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops Up Side Your Head)" were among their immense catalog of hits and are among the most sampled songs in music history.
In the early 1990s, Wilson (who had already been identified as the blueprint on which Guy's Aaron Hall and R. Kelly modeled their style) became friends and a regular collaborator with Snoop Dogg. This relationship provided Wilson with access to many of the artists that idolized him, as well as a fresh group of emerging talent who inspired him to continue pushing the limits of his own material.
"I had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest hip-hop artists in this business," recalls Wilson, who has collaborated with Kanye West, R. Kelly, Jamie Foxx, T-Pain and Justin Timberlake, among others. "It allowed me to open up my horizons and be able to learn about different types of music. Working with these artists allowed me to not be locked in a time capsule. It opened the door for me to be a part of today's contemporary music scene."
"As adults, when we start getting older, we start losing our youth because of Father Time," he explains. "I think we should have a good time in life until the clock stops ticking. I think you should continue to have fun, never stop enjoying yourself, and never stop giving up on your dreams."
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."
No wonder Charlie Wilson is considered timeless. And no wonder Just Charlie will soon earn the same distinction.
Just Charlie Tracklisting:
- My Girl Is A Dime
- You Are
- I Wanna Be Your (Featuring Fantasia)
- Never Got Enough
- Once And Forever
- Life Of The Party
- I Can't Let Go
- Crying For You
- Where Would I Be
- Lotto
