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Charlie Wilson On Cancer, Kanye & His Other "Nephews" [Interview]

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY.Charlie Wilson on working with Kanye West

Sporting his enraptured smile, Charlie Wilson has given us some invaluable acumen into his world of brilliant collaborations during a forthright interview with the UK's Soul Culture. Uncle Charlie touches on just about every artist he's worked in tandem with and holds admiration for. Going in on what keeps him relevant, Charlie attributes his continued success to those dynamic collaborations with artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg, referring to them as his many "nephews." Inarguably appreciative of his continued success in an evolved R&B landscape that may not be aware of his former membership in the bomb dropping Gap Band, Uncle Charlie speaks on the importance of a diligent work ethic and a dedication to your own sound.

Charlie goes on to speak of the true artistry of his associate Yeezy, describing him as "one of the greatest hip hop producers/rappers that we have today." Conjuring up memories of the Yeezus recording process, he talks about how the name came to be and the fact that there are several unheard tracks from those sessions that featured everyone's favorite Uncle being saved for future releases. Cementing himself as the praise adorning patriarch of R&B, Charlie continues with his admitted adoration of contemporary R&B starlets Beyonce and Rihanna, describing them as "beasts." After a brief mention of his overcoming prostate cancer, he finishes by speaking to the importance of the new faces in the game upholding the principals of the R&B tradition by dedicating themselves to their craft by refining both their personal and stage demeanors. The polished Coach Charlie goes in below.

shouts to SC