CeeLo Green Talks New Album, “Crazy,” and Influences From the Ancestors Lookin’ Through Stacks

Singer extraordinaire CeeLo Green released his latest album, CeeLo Green is Thomas Callaway, on June 26. The record, produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, is the first release in the past five years for the spirited, soulful vocalist. Green, who has worked extensively in his career with Outkast, The Dungeon Family, and Danger Mouse (in the world-famous duo, Gnarls Barkley), is a flexible, malleable performer. He also boasts a sponge-like mind that began absorbing the histories and idiosyncrasies of music from an early age. In this conversation, Green talks openly and honestly about myriad topics, from studying music in Atlanta to what made the ubiquitous Gnarls Barkley 2006 song “Crazy” such a hit. Green also talked about staying true to himself despite difficulties in his life and how the song, “The Way,” from his new LP, signifies that effort.