Charlie Wilson

Nine-time Grammy nominee. Showman extraordinaire. Hit-making singer/songwriter whose second act is trumping his legendary first run. Not many contemporary artists can lay claim to such superlatives. Charlie Wilson can.

And Wilson, co-founder of iconic funk trio the Gap Band, has no intentions of slowing down. He wrapped 2014 with two Grammy nominations—Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song—for “Bound 2,” his pairing with lead artist Kanye West.

Then just weeks before P Music Group/RCA’s Jan. 27 release of his sixth solo album, also titled Forever Charlie, Wilson locked in yet another hit with lead single, “Goodnight Kisses.” Currently climbing Billboard’s Adult R&B chart, on which Wilson has had a grand total of 18 hits thus far including eight No. 1s, among them “My Love Is All I Have,” “You Are,” “Without You” and “There Goes My Baby.”

So what’s the secret behind Wilson’s ongoing contemporary foothold? Start with emotion-packed, full-bodied vocals and real-life lyrics that soar above the formulaic, auto-tuned clutter that dictates most of popular music. As Billboard relates in its review of “Goodnight Kisses”: “Over snap-and-swing doo-wop-inspired production, the Gap Band co-founder sings sweetly about his loved one’s smooches. At 61 years old, Wilson is still as convincing a romantic as ever.”

Throughout his long-running career, Wilson has stayed true to who he is musically and creatively while simultaneously raising the bar each time. His creative relationship with “nephew” Snoop Dogg has morphed into collaborations with numerous contemporary hitmakers including Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Pharrell, R. Kelly and T-Pain. He will be making several vocal appearances on Snoop Dogg’s highly anticipated new album, “Bush” produced by Pharrell Williams.

In addition to his nine Grammy nominations and the 2009 Soul Train Icon Award, Wilson was named Billboard’s No. 1 Adult Artist in 2009 and received the BMI Icon Award in 2005.

Now Wilson brings his heart and soul back to the forefront with Forever Charlie. “If you just want to hug up on your girl, I’ve got those records,” he declares with a laugh. “And if you want to dance, those records are there too. That’s why I call it Forever Charlie—because I’m not ever going anywhere.”

Website: http://www.charliewilsonmusic.com/