CeeLo Green has had a lengthy career in music, having success as one-third of legendary Southern hip-hop group Goodie Mob and solo success. He’s a musical chameleon that rocketed to mainstream success for his grasp of hip-hop braggadocio and soaring vocal ability, having had hits in both realms. He’s speaking up about the current music scene and people aren’t agreeing with his takes, however.
It’s been 10 years since CeeLo’s mega-hit “Forget You,” and even longer since his other breakout worldwide smash with Danger Mouse as the group Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy.” 2006’s “Crazy” was a worldwide smash for the pair and dovetailed into CeeLo’s trail of hits. He seemed to be unstoppable, winning Grammy Awards and appearing in commercials and more.
CeeLo also joined popular reality music show The Voice as a judge for 4 seasons, in addition to doing voiceover work in such films as Hotel Transylvania, Green even had his own show on TBS at one point called CeeLo Green’s The Good Life. CeeLo’s star catapulted him outside of Atlanta and onto the world stage, until he hit a rough patch.
All the success came crashing to a halt in 2012, when CeeLo was accused of sexual battery in Los Angeles by a woman he had dined with. The accusation lead to an investigation by the LAPD that lasted almost a year and tarnished CeeLo’s reputation. In the end, CeeLo ended up pleading no contest and did 3 years of probation, 360 hours of community service, and ordered to complete 52 AA or NA meetings.
Though he was never charged due to lack of evidence, the topic at the time became a hot topic on Twitter after the singer tweeted some remarks that were read as insensitive, among other things, about accusations that he had [violated] someone. “If someone is passed out they’re not even WITH you consciously! so WITH Implies consent.” Though at the time, he deleted his Twitter account after making the statements, he eventually returned to the platform with an apology.
The wait is OVER!
— CeeLo Green (@CeeLoGreen) June 26, 2020
‘CeeLo Green is Thomas Callaway’.. AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE! Stream & Download NOW ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/XqlYK64fmV pic.twitter.com/5aHeMbSJxz
Fast forward to 2020 and CeeLo’s stepped into it again — possibly on purpose since he has a new album that came out a few weeks ago.
Have you seen my new music video “The Way” ? Check it out here: https://t.co/hpt7ZNoE1L pic.twitter.com/HEd2WillKe
— CeeLo Green (@CeeLoGreen) August 10, 2020
Weighing in on the furor of some listeners and fans of Cardi B’s song featuring Megan Thee Stallion “WAP,” CeeLo told Far Out, “The stereotypes that are celebrated and perpetuated, ultimately make the perception a reality. It is disenfranchising and it has caused a great deal of problems.”
“A lot of music today is very unfortunate and disappointing on a personal and moral level,” Cee-lo. “There was once a time when we were savvy enough to code certain things. We could express to those it was meant for with the style of language we used. But now music is shameless, it is sheer savagery.”
“We are adults. There should be a time and a place for adult content,” continued Green. “As adults and artists, we should at least attempt to be each other’s accountability partners in some regard.” Despite some of his own questionable lyrics over the years, from his time in Goodie Mob to one of his biggest singles containing the lyrics “f— you,” CeeLo weighed in while his fans pointed out some of his own problematic lyrics – and his own history with women.
“You have the ‘Heads of State,’ like Nicki Minaj or someone who is up there in accolade: success, visibility, a platform to influence. Nicki could be effective in so many other constructive ways, but it feels desperate.
“Attention is also a drug and competition is around,” said the hit singer. “Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, they are all more or less doing similar salacious gesturing to kinda get into position. I get it, the independent woman and being in control, the divine femininity […] I get it all but it comes at what cost?”
While fans have largely ignored the criticism and blasted the song to the top of the trending topics, CeeLo’s wasn’t alone in his criticisms. However, there’s no denying that the two women hip-hop artists are at the top of their game and living their best lives.