CeeLo Green reveals he was almost the third member of Outkast
CeeLo Green has revealed that he nearly became the third member of Outkast.
Big Boi, André 3000, and CeeLo have known each other for decades as members of the Dungeon Family in Atlanta.
During a recent appearance on T.I.’s ExpediTIously, CeeLo admitted that he was almost part of the Outkast lineup.
“It was just an idea because we were the same age,” he said. “We were the youngest of the Dungeon Family. That’s what made sense about it then.”
He continued, “Just my honest opinion now, it would have been too much. It would have been like three wheels. We had really good chemistry, though.”
CeeLo was part of the Dungeon Family through Goodie Mob alongside Big Gipp, Khujo, and T-Mo. Other members of the collective included TLC, Future, Big Rube, Cool Breeze, Janelle Monae, Organized Noize, Killer Mike, and Bubba Sparxxx.
Big Boi previously touched on CeeLo being a close affiliate of Outkast from its inception, but explained why they never became a trio.
“He was hanging out with us,” he told Young Jack Thriller. “CeeLo and me go way back, so you know, kinda. For a brief minute. Me and Dre was just together more. We would see CeeLo sometimes, but not all the time. Me and Dre was just together day in, day out.”
Outkast and CeeLo have collaborated many times throughout their careers, with CeeLo featuring on ‘Git Up, Git Out’ from their 1994 debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. He also appeared on ‘Liberation’ from 1998’s Aquemini, ‘Slum Beautiful’ from 2000’s Stankonia, and ‘In Due Time’ from the 1997 Soul Food soundtrack.
After 18 years, CeeLo returned with a new Gnarls Barkley album, Atlanta, on March 6th. It’s set to be their final LP.