Charlie Wilson (singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlie Wilson
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Wilson at Stavernfestivalen in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Kent Wilson |
| Also known as | Uncle Charlie |
| Born | January 29, 1953 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1972–present |
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Charles Kent Wilson (born January 29, 1953), known as Uncle Charlie, is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was the lead singer for the Gap Band from 1967 until they stopped performing in 2010. As a solo artist, Wilson has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards and 11 NAACP Image Awards, winning two of them. He also received a Soul Train Icon Award in 2009 and a BMI Icon Award in 2005.
Billboard magazine named him the No. 1 Adult R&B Artist in 2009 and 2020. His song "There Goes My Baby" was also named the No. 1 Urban Adult Song for 2009 by Billboard. On June 30, 2013, BET honored Wilson with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Wilson is also the national spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This organization gives a lot of money to cancer research across the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Charles Kent Wilson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on January 29, 1953. His father, Oscar Wilson, was a minister. Charlie, along with his older brother Ronnie and younger brother Robert, often sang in church. Their mother played the piano for them.
He also sang in his junior high school choir. This helped prepare him for his music career. He later joined the Gap Band and then started his solo career. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1971. He then attended Langston University and became a drum major in their marching band.
Music Career Highlights
The Gap Band's Funk Sound
Charlie Wilson and his brothers, Robert and Ronnie, created a popular and energetic style of funk music. Their group, the Gap Band, released their first album, Magicians Holiday, in 1974. They recorded at The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The band created many famous songs. These include "Outstanding", "Party Train", "Yearning for Your Love", "Burn Rubber on Me", "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", and "Oops Upside Your Head". Many of their songs are still used as samples in new music today. After releasing 15 albums, the Gap Band announced their retirement in 2010.
Charlie Wilson's Solo Journey
In 1986, Wilson sang on Roger & Zapp's popular song "Computer Love". Even though his record label was against it, the song became a hit. Wilson also worked with Eurythmics in 1989. He sang backup on their album We Too Are One and helped write the song "Revival".
Michael Paran, who leads P Music Group, helped the Gap Band become popular again in 1997. A few years later, Paran encouraged Wilson to start a solo career. Paran has been Wilson's manager ever since.
Paran and Wilson released Wilson's first solo album, Bridging the Gap, in 2000. This album gave Wilson his first No. 1 song on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart, called "Without You". In 2004, Wilson signed a deal with Jive Records. His album Charlie, Last Name Wilson came out in 2005. It featured songs produced by famous artists like R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, and will.i.am. This album sold over 500,000 copies and included the hit song "Charlie, Last Name Wilson".
Wilson has continued to have many No. 1 songs on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart. His albums have sold over one million copies in total.
Recent Collaborations and Awards
In 2009, Wilson's album Uncle Charlie reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. It also reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart. This album received two Grammy nominations in 2010. His 2010 album, Just Charlie, included the hit song "You Are". This song stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart for 13 weeks. It also earned two Grammy nominations in 2012.
In 2010, famous artist Kanye West featured Wilson on his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Wilson sang on several songs, including "All of the Lights" with Rihanna and "Runaway". He also appeared on "Bound 2" from West's 2013 album Yeezus.
On June 30, 2013, BET gave Wilson a Lifetime Achievement Award. Justin Timberlake presented the award. Other artists like India Arie, Jamie Foxx, and Stevie Wonder performed Wilson's songs. Wilson then performed his song "You Are" and a medley of hits with Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Pharrell Williams.
In 2018, Bruno Mars invited Wilson to join his 24K Magic Tour. Mars also helped produce Wilson's 2020 song "Forever Valentine," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Adult R&B Chart. Wilson also provided backing vocals for Tyler, the Creator's 2019 album Igor. He performed with Tyler, the Creator and Boyz II Men at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
In 2020, Wilson was featured on the song "Roots" with Amine and JID. He also appeared on Nas' song "Car #85" from his Grammy-winning album, King's Disease. In 2021, he sang on the song "I'll Take You On" with Brockhampton.
Wilson has worked with many hip hop, rap, and R&B artists. He appeared on The Biggie Duets with R. Kelly. He has also worked with Snoop Dogg on many projects. Their first collaboration was on Snoop's 1996 album Tha Doggfather. Wilson was also featured on the Grammy-nominated song "Beautiful" with Pharrell from Snoop's 2002 album. Snoop Dogg nicknamed him "Uncle Charlie."
In 2024, Wilson appeared on The Masked Singer as "Ugly Sweater." He performed "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" by the Gap Band. In June 2025, country singer Scotty McCreery and Wilson released their duet "Once Upon a Bottle of Wine."
Supporting American Troops
In 2008, Wilson performed on the ABC Television Special, America United: Supporting Our Troops. This event was held at Camp Pendleton in California.
Wilson has made it his goal to support American troops, especially those in the Middle East. He and his band have traveled to Kuwait and Iraq four times (in 2009, 2010, and twice in 2011). They performed high-energy shows at many military bases. This gave American service members a "little taste of home." In November 2011, Wilson returned to the Middle East at the special request of the U.S. Armed Forces. He performed at five bases in Kuwait for thousands of troops.
Personal Life and Health
In 1995, Charlie Wilson married Mahin Tat. They met when she was his social worker. Since 1995, Wilson has been living a healthy lifestyle.
In 2008, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He received successful treatment. Since then, he has worked with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. He encourages Black men to get tested for the disease. He also helped raise awareness by singing on Lupe Fiasco's song "Mission," which is about cancer survivors.
Discography
- Studio albums
- You Turn My Life Around (1992)
- Bridging the Gap (2000)
- Charlie, Last Name Wilson (2005)
- Uncle Charlie (2009)
- Just Charlie (2010)
- Love, Charlie (2013)
- Forever Charlie (2015)
- In It to Win It (2017)
Awards and Nominations
Grammy Awards
Wilson has been nominated for thirteen Grammy Awards.
- 2018 Grammy Nomination – Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Made For Love"
- 2016 Grammy Nomination – Best R&B Album for Forever Charlie
- 2016 Grammy Nomination – Best Traditional R&B Performance for "My Favorite Part of You"
- 2015 Grammy Nomination – Best Rap Song (with Kanye West) for "Bound 2"
- 2015 Grammy Nomination – Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Kanye West) for "Bound 2"
- 2014 Grammy Nomination – Best Gospel Song for "If I Believe"
- 2012 Grammy Nomination – Best R&B Performance "You Are"
- 2012 Grammy Nomination – Best R&B Song for "You Are"
- 2010 Grammy Nomination – Best R&B Album for Uncle Charlie
- 2010 Grammy Nomination – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby"
- 2003 Grammy Nomination – Best Rap/Song Collaboration (with Pharrell & Snoop Dogg) for "Beautiful"
- 1997 Grammy Nomination – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (with Luke, Mr. X, Melle Mel, Yo-Yo, Chaka Khan, Da Luniz, Shaquille O'Neal, Quincy Jones & Coolio) for "Stomp"
- 1983 Grammy Nomination – Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "Where Are We Going"
NAACP Image Awards
- 2021 NAACP Image Award Nomination - Outstanding Male Artist
- 2018 NAACP Image Award WINNER - Music Makes A Difference Honor
- 2018 NAACP Image Award Nomination - Outstanding Male Artist
- 2018 NAACP Image Award Nomination - Outstanding Album for In It To Win It
- 2018 NAACP Image Award Nomination - Outstanding Duo, Group, or Collaboration for "I'm Blessed"
- 2016 NAACP Image Award Nomination – Outstanding Male Artist
- 2016 NAACP Image Award Nomination – Outstanding Album for Forever Charlie
- 2016 NAACP Image Award Nomination – Outstanding Song Traditional for "Goodnight Kisses"
- 2014 NAACP Image Award WINNER – Outstanding Album for Love, Charlie
- 2014 NAACP Image Award Nomination – Outstanding Male Artist
- 2010 NAACP Image Award Nomination – Outstanding Male Artist
Other Honors
- November 5, 2013 – SoulTracks Reader's Choice Award – Major Label Album of the Year – Charlie Wilson Love, Charlie
- June 30, 2013 – Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Charlie Wilson at the BET Awards
- January 2013 – Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Charlie Wilson by the Trumpet Awards Foundation
- December 2011 – Billboard Magazine names Charlie Wilson the No. 2 Adult R&B Artist for 2011
- December 2011 – Billboard Magazine names "You Are" the No. 2 Urban Adult Song for 2011
- December 2011 – Mediabase names Charlie Wilson No. 1 Adult R&B Artist for 2011
- December 2011 – Mediabase names "You Are" the No. 1 Urban Adult Song for 2011
- February 2010 – NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Male Artist
- December 2009 – Billboard Magazine names Charlie Wilson No. 1 Adult R&B Artist for 2009
- December 2009 – Billboard Magazine names "There Goes My Baby" the No. 1 Urban Adult Song for 2009
- November 2009 – Soul Train Icon Award presented to Charlie Wilson
- September 2005 – BMI Icon Award presented to Charlie Wilson
Images for kids
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Wilson at Stavernfestivalen in 2016
