Goodie Mob
Encyclopedia
Goodie Mob is a Hip Hop
act based in Atlanta, Georgia
that formed in 1991 and currently consists of members Cee-Lo Green, Khujo
, T-Mo and Big Gipp
.
. As explained on the track "Fighting" on Soul Food, Goodie Mob means "the GOOD DIE Mostly Over Bullshit".
All four members were born in Atlanta, and the group is based there with the rest of the Dungeon Family
, a collective which includes OutKast
and P.A.
(Parental Advisory). Goodie was first heard featured on several songs from OutKast
's first album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
.
Cee-Lo was the most visible member of the group prior to his departure in 2000 (among other projects, he is now recording in collaboration with DJ Danger Mouse
as Gnarls Barkley
), while Big Gipp
has made several rounds on other Dungeon Family members' albums, and T-Mo and Khujo form a duo within the group called The Lumberjacks.
), which was produced by Organized Noize
and critically acclaimed. It was on this album that the phrase Dirty South was actually coined, featured as a song title. This album touched on many social and political issues such as racism, discrimination, geo-politics, and gentrification. Although the album dealt with such heavy issues, some songs still carried a lighter tone, such as "Soul Food," in which the crew expressed their love for home cooked meals. Along with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
, this album put Atlanta's rap scene on the map. The album featured three Billboard Hot 100
singles in "Cell Therapy", "Soul Food", and "Dirty South". "Cell Therapy" is the group's highest charting hit to date as it reached #39.
In 1996, Goodie Mob also appeared on the Red Hot Organization
's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly
, alongside Biz Markie
, Coolio
, and Fat Joe
, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source
magazine.
(which would lead to Goodie Mob's contribution on Soul Assassins I
) and Mr. DJ
. During this period the group made a cameo appearance
in the film Mystery Men
as the "Not So Goodie Mob", with Cee-Lo crediting himself by his birth name, Thomas Callaway (though he refers to himself as "Carlito Green" in the liner notes). Still Standing was the group's second gold-selling effort. On the front and back covers, the letter "O" in "Mob" contained a silhouette
of a hanged man in the center.
's parent label Arista Records
for their third album. The record veered away from their gritty style that permeated their successful previous releases, instead incorporating lighter beats and party related subject matter, which many fans perceived as selling out in an attempt for mainstream popularity. The social tone which had pervaded their earlier releases was less present; one track on the album, "All A's," was criticized for reportedly containing homophobic lyrics; "Everytime son, rhymes too pretty'll get your mascara smeared. When they did, my buddy Spanky I bust out in tears. The world would be a better place to live, if it was less queers. I still see, punk ass bitches.. bitches.." During production, unhappy with the project's direction, Cee-Lo abruptly left to pursue a solo career. Arista dropped the group following poor sales of the album.
. Fans were unhappy with the lack of Cee-Lo's presence. Many thought the "monkey" referenced in the title and shown on the cover was a reference to their former groupmate, though the group claims it actually represents the music industry.
to briefly leave the group as well, and T-Mo and Khujo
released an album under the name The Lumberjacks called Livin' Life as Lumberjacks
. The Lumberjacks was actually the original name of the group before the addition of Big Gipp
and Cee-Lo
, who eventually joined to form Goodie Mob. This is mentioned in several of the cryptic lyrics of Goodie Mob's debut album Soul Food
. The album somewhat continued the trend of incorporating deep social commentary within the lyrics of some songs. In addition the Lumberjacks also incorporated the crunk
style that by then had pervaded Atlanta's music scene. Though Cee-Lo was still absent, Big Gipp
appeared twice on the album to form the trio once again on the tracks Superfriends and 24/7/365.
and Big Gipp
both referenced this in multiple interviews. The four members appeared on stage together on October 1, 2006 following a Gnarls Barkley
show, stating that they were back together and on good terms. They are working on an album. Goodie Mob officially announced the group's reunion November 19, 2007 on Atlanta's V-103 radio station.
On August 19, 2008 all four members performed on stage together unannounced at The Tabernacle
in Atlanta during a free Nelly
concert.
On September 19, 2009 the Goodie Mob performed for the first official "reunion concert" at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia. The band is also set to play with all the original members at the Smoke Out festival in San Bernardino, CA on October 23, 2009.
As of 2011, Goodie Mob has begun to focus on recording their new album. Cee-Lo spoke with MTV News and provided some updates on his upcoming projects. Now that he’s released his solo LP The Lady Killer, Cee-Lo says he’s at work on the long rumored Goodie Mob reunion album with Khujo, T-Mo & Big Gipp. The Dungeon Family member says that the group has recorded about 10 songs already and they’re just getting started.
On March 12, 2011 the Goodie Mob performed "Get Rich to This" in Las Vegas, Nevada for part of the Red Bull Soundclash concert that featured Cee Lo.
On April 28, 2011 Cee-Lo brought out Goodie Mob during his performance at Sunfest in West Palm Beach, Florida. They performed four songs together including "Black Ice (Sky High)", "Cell Therapy", and "Soul Food"
On July 25, 2011 Cee-Lo announced via his twitter that the title of the Goodie Mob's reunion album would be "We Sell Drugs Too".
On November 27, 2011, Goodie Mob performed at the 2011 Soul Train Awards as a tribute to Heavy D and groupmate Cee-Lo Green won the award for the hit, Fuck You!.
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
act based in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
that formed in 1991 and currently consists of members Cee-Lo Green, Khujo
Khujo
Khujo is an American hip hop musician who was born on March 13, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia.He has child name NaToya Knight. He is one-fourth of Goodie Mob , and one-half of The Lumberjacks . He is also the only featured guest to appear on every single Outkast album, including Big Boi's solo album...
, T-Mo and Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
.
History
The group's name acts as a double backronymBackronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
. As explained on the track "Fighting" on Soul Food, Goodie Mob means "the GOOD DIE Mostly Over Bullshit".
All four members were born in Atlanta, and the group is based there with the rest of the Dungeon Family
Dungeon Family
The Dungeon Family is a hip hop/R&B/soul musical collective, based in Atlanta, Georgia and specializing in Southern hip hop with heavy funk and soul influences. The group derives its name from "The Dungeon", the name given to record producer Rico Wade's basement studio where many of the early...
, a collective which includes OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
and P.A.
P.A.
P.A. are a southern hip hop trio, part of the Atlanta-based Dungeon Family. Its members include Mello, K.P. and Big Reese.-Discography:*Ghetto Street Funk *Straight No Chase...
(Parental Advisory). Goodie was first heard featured on several songs from OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
's first album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is the debut album of hip-hop duo OutKast, released April 26, 1994 on LaFace Records. Recorded at D.A.R.P. Studios, Purple Dragon, Bosstown and Doppler Studios in Atlanta, Georgia throughout 1992 to 1994, the album featured production by the Atlanta-area production...
.
Cee-Lo was the most visible member of the group prior to his departure in 2000 (among other projects, he is now recording in collaboration with DJ Danger Mouse
Danger Mouse
Brian Joseph Burton , better known by his stage name Danger Mouse, is an American musician, songwriter and producer. He came to prominence in 2004 when he released The Grey Album, which combined vocal performances from Jay-Z's The Black Album with instrumentals from The Beatles' White Album.He...
as Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley is an American soul duo comprising Danger Mouse and Cee Lo Green. Their first studio album St. Elsewhere was released in 2006; along with its first single "Crazy". Both single and album were a major commercial success and have been noted for their large sales by download...
), while Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
has made several rounds on other Dungeon Family members' albums, and T-Mo and Khujo form a duo within the group called The Lumberjacks.
Soul Food (1995)
Goodie Mob's debut was the Gold-certified album Soul Food in (19951995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
), which was produced by Organized Noize
Organized Noize
Organized Noize is an Atlanta-based American hip hop production company made up of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown.-History:Among the hit records they have worked on include TLC's "Waterfalls", En Vogue's "Don't Let Go ", and Ludacris' "Saturday "...
and critically acclaimed. It was on this album that the phrase Dirty South was actually coined, featured as a song title. This album touched on many social and political issues such as racism, discrimination, geo-politics, and gentrification. Although the album dealt with such heavy issues, some songs still carried a lighter tone, such as "Soul Food," in which the crew expressed their love for home cooked meals. Along with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is the debut album of hip-hop duo OutKast, released April 26, 1994 on LaFace Records. Recorded at D.A.R.P. Studios, Purple Dragon, Bosstown and Doppler Studios in Atlanta, Georgia throughout 1992 to 1994, the album featured production by the Atlanta-area production...
, this album put Atlanta's rap scene on the map. The album featured three Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles in "Cell Therapy", "Soul Food", and "Dirty South". "Cell Therapy" is the group's highest charting hit to date as it reached #39.
In 1996, Goodie Mob also appeared on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly
America Is Dying Slowly
America Is Dying Slowly is a compilation album, the eighth in the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series of recorded by the Red Hot Organization...
, alongside Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
, Coolio
Coolio
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.-Late 80s:He recorded two singles in the late 80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me"...
, and Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
magazine.
Still Standing (1998)
The Mob's second album was Still Standing in 1998, on which they continued their tendency towards social commentary, and Cee-Lo's penchant for singing began to show through more. The album was also produced by Organized Noize, except for contributions by DJ MuggsDJ Muggs
Lawrence Muggerud , better known as DJ Muggs, is Cypress Hill's DJ and producer. He also produced tracks for Funkdoobiest on the albums Which Doobie U B? and Brothas Doobie.-Cypress Hill :...
(which would lead to Goodie Mob's contribution on Soul Assassins I
Soul Assassins
Soul Assassins are a loose collective of musicians and graphic artists affiliated to the hip hop group Cypress Hill, formed in the early 1990s. It is also the name of Cypress Hill's publishing company....
) and Mr. DJ
Mr. DJ
Mr. DJ, born David Sheats, is a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop record producer and DJ from Atlanta, Georgia.-Biography:Raised on the southside of College Park, Georgia, Mr. DJ entered the music industry as a DJ for Atlanta-based hip-hop group OutKast. According to Sheats,After touring with...
. During this period the group made a cameo appearance
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the film Mystery Men
Mystery Men
Mystery Men is a 1999 comedy film based on a Dark Horse comic book series feature in Flaming Carrot Comics by Bob Burden, directed by TV commercial director Kinka Usher. It stars William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, and Hank Azaria as a trio of lesser superheroes with fairly unimpressive superpowers who...
as the "Not So Goodie Mob", with Cee-Lo crediting himself by his birth name, Thomas Callaway (though he refers to himself as "Carlito Green" in the liner notes). Still Standing was the group's second gold-selling effort. On the front and back covers, the letter "O" in "Mob" contained a silhouette
Silhouette
A silhouette is the image of a person, an object or scene consisting of the outline and a basically featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black. Although the art form has been popular since the mid-18th century, the term “silhouette” was seldom used until the early decades...
of a hanged man in the center.
World Party (1999)
Goodie Mob was feeling pressure from the increasing popularity and sales of their fellow Dungeon Family group Outkast. Goodie Mob was signed to LaFace RecordsLaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
's parent label Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
for their third album. The record veered away from their gritty style that permeated their successful previous releases, instead incorporating lighter beats and party related subject matter, which many fans perceived as selling out in an attempt for mainstream popularity. The social tone which had pervaded their earlier releases was less present; one track on the album, "All A's," was criticized for reportedly containing homophobic lyrics; "Everytime son, rhymes too pretty'll get your mascara smeared. When they did, my buddy Spanky I bust out in tears. The world would be a better place to live, if it was less queers. I still see, punk ass bitches.. bitches.." During production, unhappy with the project's direction, Cee-Lo abruptly left to pursue a solo career. Arista dropped the group following poor sales of the album.
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show (2004)
The fourth album from Goodie, not featuring Cee-Lo, was something of a return to their earlier style.The song Play Your Flute closed the album with a laid back flute driven track Produced by J. WellsJ. Wells
J. Wells is a record producer, businessman, and occasional rapper. He is a member of the Likwit Crew.- Biography :...
. Fans were unhappy with the lack of Cee-Lo's presence. Many thought the "monkey" referenced in the title and shown on the cover was a reference to their former groupmate, though the group claims it actually represents the music industry.
Livin' Life as Lumberjacks (2005)
One Monkeys poor reception led Big GippBig Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
to briefly leave the group as well, and T-Mo and Khujo
Khujo
Khujo is an American hip hop musician who was born on March 13, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia.He has child name NaToya Knight. He is one-fourth of Goodie Mob , and one-half of The Lumberjacks . He is also the only featured guest to appear on every single Outkast album, including Big Boi's solo album...
released an album under the name The Lumberjacks called Livin' Life as Lumberjacks
Livin' Life as Lumberjacks
Livin' Life as Lumberjacks is the first studio album from The Lumberjacks presented by Goodie Mob. The Lumberjacks is a duo made up of T-Mo and Khujo. After Cee-Lo and Big Gipp decided to leave Goodie Mob, The Lumberjacks released this album in 2005 under Koch Records...
. The Lumberjacks was actually the original name of the group before the addition of Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
and Cee-Lo
Cee-Lo
Thomas DeCarlo Callaway , better known by his stage name Cee Lo Green, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor...
, who eventually joined to form Goodie Mob. This is mentioned in several of the cryptic lyrics of Goodie Mob's debut album Soul Food
Soul food
Soul food cuisine consists of a selection of foods traditional in the cuisine of African Americans. It is closely related to the cuisine of the Southern United States...
. The album somewhat continued the trend of incorporating deep social commentary within the lyrics of some songs. In addition the Lumberjacks also incorporated the crunk
Crunk
Crunk is a music style that originated in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-to-late 1990s and gained mainstream success around 2003–2004. Performers of crunk music are sometimes referred to as crunksters. An archetypal crunk track most frequently uses a drum machine rhythm, heavy bassline, and...
style that by then had pervaded Atlanta's music scene. Though Cee-Lo was still absent, Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
appeared twice on the album to form the trio once again on the tracks Superfriends and 24/7/365.
Reunion
It was reported that all four Goodie Mob members are back on good terms and have reentered the studio to release a brand new album. Cee-LoCee-Lo
Thomas DeCarlo Callaway , better known by his stage name Cee Lo Green, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor...
and Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
both referenced this in multiple interviews. The four members appeared on stage together on October 1, 2006 following a Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley is an American soul duo comprising Danger Mouse and Cee Lo Green. Their first studio album St. Elsewhere was released in 2006; along with its first single "Crazy". Both single and album were a major commercial success and have been noted for their large sales by download...
show, stating that they were back together and on good terms. They are working on an album. Goodie Mob officially announced the group's reunion November 19, 2007 on Atlanta's V-103 radio station.
On August 19, 2008 all four members performed on stage together unannounced at The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle, informally known as The Tabby, is a mid-size concert hall, in the U.S. city of Atlanta, currently managed by concert promoter Live Nation...
in Atlanta during a free Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
concert.
On September 19, 2009 the Goodie Mob performed for the first official "reunion concert" at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia. The band is also set to play with all the original members at the Smoke Out festival in San Bernardino, CA on October 23, 2009.
As of 2011, Goodie Mob has begun to focus on recording their new album. Cee-Lo spoke with MTV News and provided some updates on his upcoming projects. Now that he’s released his solo LP The Lady Killer, Cee-Lo says he’s at work on the long rumored Goodie Mob reunion album with Khujo, T-Mo & Big Gipp. The Dungeon Family member says that the group has recorded about 10 songs already and they’re just getting started.
On March 12, 2011 the Goodie Mob performed "Get Rich to This" in Las Vegas, Nevada for part of the Red Bull Soundclash concert that featured Cee Lo.
On April 28, 2011 Cee-Lo brought out Goodie Mob during his performance at Sunfest in West Palm Beach, Florida. They performed four songs together including "Black Ice (Sky High)", "Cell Therapy", and "Soul Food"
On July 25, 2011 Cee-Lo announced via his twitter that the title of the Goodie Mob's reunion album would be "We Sell Drugs Too".
On November 27, 2011, Goodie Mob performed at the 2011 Soul Train Awards as a tribute to Heavy D and groupmate Cee-Lo Green won the award for the hit, Fuck You!.
Discography
- Soul Food (1995)
- Still Standing (1998)
- World PartyWorld Party (album)World Party is the third studio album by the Atlanta-based, hip hop quartet Goodie Mob. It follows their previous Dirty South classics, Soul Food and Still Standing. This is the last Goodie Mob album with the original four members before their breakup...
(1999) - One Monkey Don't Stop No ShowOne Monkey Don't Stop No ShowOne Monkey Don't Stop No Show is the fourth studio album by the Atlanta-based hip hop group Goodie Mob. This album does not include one of the group's former frontman, Cee Lo Green, because he broke away to pursue his solo career . That left Khujo, T-Mo, and Big Gipp to hold up the album...
(2004) - We Sell Drugs Too (TBA)