Charlie Wilson
To say that Charlie Wilson is an icon does not truly describe the musical powerhouse whose vocal prowess began as founding member and lead singer of the legendary Gap Band (“You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” “Outstanding,” “Party Train,” and “Burn Rubber on Me.”)
As a solo artist, Wilson has topped the R&B charts with 13 No. 1 singles; 13 Grammy nominations; a New York Times and Washington Post best-selling memoir, I Am Charlie Wilson; a BET Lifetime Achievement Award; a Soul Train Icon Award; a Soul Train Certified Soul Award; and an NAACP Music Makes a Difference Award. He was also honored with a star on the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022 and will be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.
Wilson kicked off 2022 on the critically acclaimed The Culture Tour with New Edition and Jodeci. He previously sold out two of his own headlining arena tours—Forever Charlie (2015) and In It to Win It (2017)–and toured with Bruno Mars on his 24K Magic World Tour.
He was twice named Billboard’s Top Adult Male R&B Artist (2009, 2020) and named Billboard’s Top Adult R&B Male Artist with the most No. 1 hits in three decades.
Known to most as “Uncle Charlie,” the lovable nickname given by Snoop Dogg, Wilson continues to be one of the most sought-after voices in music today. He has collaborated with many chart-topping artists, including Bruno Mars; Pharrell Williams; Kanye West; Justin Timberlake; Tyler, the Creator; and Nas, to name a few.
In the years between the Gap Band and his solo success, Wilson survived drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and prostate cancer. Sober now for 25 years, the singer says, “I wouldn’t have believed I’d be where I am right now. That’s why I shout every night because I thank God for allowing me to be here.”
