Am I thee only one who hates Charlie Wilson singing these corney pop/hip hop songs?

Dude was MADE for SOUL, Funk & R&B music.

I know he has 2 make his loot, etc......but I don't think he has made more than a handful of songs worth 2 cent since he left the Gap Band.

[Edited 7/13/21 23:42pm]

I feel the same way.I am happy that he was able to make a comeback.but I just can't get into his new music.I prefer the funky,soulful stuff he did with the Gap Band.

SoulAlive said:

I feel the same way.I am happy that he was able to make a comeback.but I just can't get into his new music.I prefer the funky,soulful stuff he did with the Gap Band.

I thought maybe I was bugging...........

He's working, paying the bills. Which is more than someone like Sly Stone is doing, and is certainly capable of doing more.

It's like when folks rant on a movie or TV star suddenly popping up in a commercial or hosting a game show. That's their job. Their job is to be a face and a voice for whatever they deem fit. So whether it's Jennifer Aniston selling Aveno, or Usher selling... whatever it is he's selling (Cognac?), it is what it is. Dave Holmes, from MTV, talked about this when he appeared in a Ford commercial. He said, "this is my job, this is what I've chosen to do. It's that simple."

Charlie Wilson singing on a Jam & Lewis album or whatever, he's singing. He's chosen this to be his job right now. To sing where someone will listen and he gets paid, not just carry some funk or R&B torch. Sure, it's nice when he's in that mode, but are we to expect everyone but Prince to stay in a pocket?

Dude's living his life. And he ain't going to make another GAP Band record for y'all. Is he wasting his talents? NO. Because he's using them. To waste them would be to not use them.

[Edited 7/14/21 12:31pm]

TrivialPursuit said:

He's working, paying the bills. Which is more than someone like Sly Stone is doing, and is certainly capable of doing more.

It's like when folks rant on a movie or TV star suddenly popping up in a commercial or hosting a game show. That's their job. Their job is to be a face and a voice for whatever they deem fit. So whether it's Jennifer Aniston selling Aveno, or Usher selling... whatever it is he's selling (Cognac?), it is what it is. Dave Holmes, from MTV, talked about this when he appeared in a Ford commercial. He said, "this is my job, this is what I've chosen to do. It's that simple."

Charlie Wilson singing on a Jam & Lewis album or whatever, he's singing. He's chosen this to be his job right now. To sing where someone will listen and he gets paid, not just carry some funk or R&B torch. Sure, it's nice when he's in that mode, but are we to expect everyone but Prince to stay in a pocket?

Dude's living his life. And he ain't going to make another GAP Band record for y'all. Is he wasting his talents? NO. Because he's using them. To waste them would be to not use them.

[Edited 7/14/21 12:31pm]

I'm not mad at him making his money. Your points are well taken but as I stated, his music pretty much stinks now, but that is just my opinion.

Yeah,I am happy that he remains relevent.He's a talented guy and he deserves it.

My problem is when old school artists (and bands) come back with "new" music that lacks the funk and the soul of what they were doing before.One of my favorite bands is Con Funk Shun.Several years ago,they put out a new album that sounds exactly like the modern stuff that Charlie is doing

but you know what....I get it.They're trying to appeal to a new generation.I can't blame 'em.It's just kinda disappointing,imo.

SoulAlive said:

Yeah,I am happy that he remains relevent.He's a talented guy and he deserves it.

My problem is when old school artists (and bands) come back with "new" music that lacks the funk and the soul of what they were doing before.One of my favorite bands is Con Funk Shun.Several years ago,they put out a new album that sounds exactly like the modern stuff that Charlie is doing

but you know what....I get it.They're trying to appeal to a new generation.I can't blame 'em.It's just kinda disappointing,imo.

The change in style is really not my issue. My issue is the music is milk toast.

One of the reasons why Prince was such a badass?

All of his style changes appealed 2 the music lover in me.

These dude are making music that is weak ass hell 4 my taste.

Making new fans while losing old fans is a losing propostion in my book.

Graycap23 said:

I'm not mad at him making his money. Your points are well taken but as I stated, his music pretty much stinks now, but that is just my opinion.

I def don't disagree w/ your point. I hope that didn't get lost in my response.

Some of these older artists sort of go through this phase. They put out music that's just... meh. I think artists sort of have a heyday, when their creativity is at a peak. That's probably youth, lack of experience and people saying "no," a balls to the wall attitude, being around creative people, just learning the craft.

When folks gets settled into their talent, the output can sometimes fall short. I honestly don't remember much he's done besides that song w/ Timberlake and Snoop (which was kinda hot on its own).

Dude still has a great voice. He just needs some great music to lay it against.

TrivialPursuit said:

Graycap23 said:

I'm not mad at him making his money. Your points are well taken but as I stated, his music pretty much stinks now, but that is just my opinion.

I def don't disagree w/ your point. I hope that didn't get lost in my response.

Some of these older artists sort of go through this phase. They put out music that's just... meh. I think artists sort of have a heyday, when their creativity is at a peak. That's probably youth, lack of experience and people saying "no," a balls to the wall attitude, being around creative people, just learning the craft.

When folks gets settled into their talent, the output can sometimes fall short. I honestly don't remember much he's done besides that song w/ Timberlake and Snoop (which was kinda hot on its own).

Dude still has a great voice. He just needs some great music to lay it against.

I'll tell, if u listen 2 Charlie in the 80's and listen now, it is like there are 2 completely diffrent people from an artistic point if view. I don't know who the 2021 dude is.

Graycap23 said:

I'll tell, if u listen 2 Charlie in the 80's and listen now, it is like there are 2 completely diffrent people from an artistic point if view. I don't know who the 2021 dude is.

I'm from Oklahoma, where the GAP Band originated. Charlie's always been on my register here and there. Again, I don't disagree w/ you.

Can you imagine if he and Sly got together and put some stuff out?!

TrivialPursuit said:

Graycap23 said:

I'll tell, if u listen 2 Charlie in the 80's and listen now, it is like there are 2 completely diffrent people from an artistic point if view. I don't know who the 2021 dude is.

I'm from Oklahoma, where the GAP Band originated. Charlie's always been on my register here and there. Again, I don't disagree w/ you.

Can you imagine if he and Sly got together and put some stuff out?!

That would be interesting. I liked the joint he made w Mint Condition.

Lol I like how you people can just sit behind your computer screen and judge musicians and artists for doing the music they want to do.

Graycap23 wasting his time?

I know I am writing this comment, but on a serious note his music is great because of his voice and the character it has I personally don't care if it's on top of a 90s R&B beat or a 2010's hip hop beat all it matters is if he's singing from the heart which he does all of the time.

Shawy89 said:

Lol I like how you people can just sit behind your computer screen and judge musicians and artists for doing the music they want to do.

Graycap23 wasting his time?

I know I am writing this comment, but on a serious note his music is great because of his voice and the character it has I personally don't care if it's on top of a 90s R&B beat or a 2010's hip hop beat all it matters is if he's singing from the heart which he does all of the time.

As I the owner of my ears.......I judge music 24 hours a day.

My ears suggest, he is wasting his talent.

Either you like something or you don't.It's called an opinion

Shawy89 said:

Lol I like how you people can just sit behind your computer screen and judge musicians and artists for doing the music they want to do.

Shawy89 said:

I know I am writing this comment, but on a serious note his music is great because of his voice and the character it has I personally don't care if it's on top of a 90s R&B beat or a 2010's hip hop beat all it matters is if he's singing from the heart which he does all of the time.

The last 2 or 3 Gap Band albums were full of New Jack Swing & hip hop sounds. I know because I have them. So it's not like Charlie just started doing that in his solo career. Even in the early 1980s they had a breakdancer/locker performing with them called Baby Gap. I like Charlie's current stuff including the Smokey Robinson duet. I don't think Smokey has had a hit since the mid-1980's. I guess a lot of people like Charlie's music since he gets constant radio airplay on Adult R&B radio stations.

SoulAlive said:

TrivialPursuit said:

phunkdaddy said:

TrivialPursuit said:

He's working, paying the bills. Which is more than someone like Sly Stone is doing, and is certainly capable of doing more.

It's like when folks rant on a movie or TV star suddenly popping up in a commercial or hosting a game show. That's their job. Their job is to be a face and a voice for whatever they deem fit. So whether it's Jennifer Aniston selling Aveno, or Usher selling... whatever it is he's selling (Cognac?), it is what it is. Dave Holmes, from MTV, talked about this when he appeared in a Ford commercial. He said, "this is my job, this is what I've chosen to do. It's that simple."

Charlie Wilson singing on a Jam & Lewis album or whatever, he's singing. He's chosen this to be his job right now. To sing where someone will listen and he gets paid, not just carry some funk or R&B torch. Sure, it's nice when he's in that mode, but are we to expect everyone but Prince to stay in a pocket?

Dude's living his life. And he ain't going to make another GAP Band record for y'all. Is he wasting his talents? NO. Because he's using them. To waste them would be to not use them.

[Edited 7/14/21 12:31pm]

Comparing Charlie to Sly. The difference is Charlie kicked his drug habit because he wanted to and had a desire and work ethic to be on top again. Sly on the other hand is fortunate to be just living at this point in life. Fans always had this fantasy for the past decade or so of him making a comeback. Drugs has completely destroyed his music career. It's been over for him. The man can barely walk more or less talk of him being able to sing. We are just blessed he is still alive. As for Charlie of course there will never be another Gap Band record. Any hopes of that ended when his younger brother Robert died of a heart attack several years ago. Charlie also stated in an interview a few years back that the reason he is successful now compared to other artists from his era is he isn't stuck in the 80's and he has been willing to get out there and work. Not always necessarily for the better but at least he is still in the game.

The GAP is done so we agree, but that doesnt stop him from doing some funk or real R&b in stead of this hop-hoppy shit. The work he did with Mint Condition, P-funk, and Aaron hall was good stuff. This guest rapper shit and the pop tunes are a damn snore fest.

One thing I'll say in his defence is that his live show is still great. I remember seeing him at the North Sea Jazz festival in 2016. I had fairly low expectations based on his recent output but the show was awesome- very tight band, great vocals and showmanship. The Gap Band funk hits were of course the highlight but even the more recent adult contemptorary RnB stuff sounded decent.

SoulAlive said:

on my way to work,I was bumping “Outstanding” and it still sounds so good I love the Gap Band! Give me the old school jams,that’s all I need!

Top 10 of all times tune for me. Although I could list at least a hundred of those!

funkaholic1972 said:

SoulAlive said:

funkaholic1972 said:

Top 10 of all times tune for me. Although I could list at least a hundred of those!

my absolute favorite is “Early In The Morning”…and “Humpin”.It’s time to pull out the Gap Band greatest hits! lol

FYI, make sure u pull out the 2/3 albums that they made before they were on the map.

Early years[edit]

The band received its first big break by being the back up band for fellow Oklahoman Leon Russell's Stop All That Jazz album released in 1974.[2][3]

Early on, the group took on a funk sound reminiscent of the early 1970s.[4] This style failed to catch on, and their first two LP's, 1974's Magicians Holiday which was recorded at Leon Russell's historic The Church Studio and 1977's The Gap Band (not to be confused with their 1979 album),

[Edited 7/16/21 21:31pm]

SoulAlive said:

Early In The Morning

I have the Robert Palmer maxi single of this too. I have several remix singles of remakes Robert did like Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' & I Want You/Mercy Mercy Me.

Graycap23 said:

I like some of Wilson's recent material, but only cherry pick a track or 2 from each album just to update my collection every year or so.

Graycap23 said:

SoulAlive said:

funkaholic1972 said: my absolute favorite is “Early In The Morning”…and “Humpin”.It’s time to pull out the Gap Band greatest hits! lol

FYI, make sure u pull out the 2/3 albums that they made before they were on the map.

Early years[edit]

The band received its first big break by being the back up band for fellow Oklahoman Leon Russell's Stop All That Jazz album released in 1974.[2][3]

Early on, the group took on a funk sound reminiscent of the early 1970s.[4] This style failed to catch on, and their first two LP's, 1974's Magicians Holiday which was recorded at Leon Russell's historic The Church Studio and 1977's The Gap Band (not to be confused with their 1979 album),

He's always been a versatile singer. Mug was homeless a few years ago. Homeless. He has to do what he has to do. Not my cup of tea no, but the wife loves it. I always play Humpin' or Talkin Back and rib her about this is the "real" Charlie.

mrwiggles said:

He's always been a versatile singer. Mug was homeless a few years ago. Homeless. He has to do what he has to do. Not my cup of tea no, but the wife loves it. I always play Humpin' or Talkin Back and rib her about this is the "real" Charlie.

I'm glad he has found a way 2 keep the loot coming.

I'm just sad that I no longer like the music.

He is easily one of my fav vocalists but this new music is on a scale of 1 to 10 about a 1.