Gnarls Barkley

Gnarls Barkley
Diego DeNicola from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Gnarls Barkley
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Years active	2004–2010, 2014–present
Label	Downtown Records, Atlantic Records, Elektra Records
Associated acts	Danger Mouse, CeeLo Green, The Black Keys, Broken Bells, Gnarls Barkley (duo) members

Gnarls Barkley is an American musical duo formed by producer Brian Burton (professionally known as Danger Mouse) and singer CeeLo Green. The collaboration produced a fusion of soul music, alternative rock, hip hop, and psych soul that achieved international commercial success with the single "Crazy" and the platinum album St. Elsewhere. The project connected figures from Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Nashville music scenes and intersected with artists such as Prince, D'Angelo, OutKast, and Beck through production, influence, and touring.

History

The duo formed after Burton's breakthrough as producer on The Grey Album and work with Gorillaz and The Black Keys, while CeeLo Green rose to prominence with Goodie Mob and solo work linked to LaFace Records and Arista Records. Their debut, St. Elsewhere (2006), featured the international hit "Crazy", which topped charts in the United Kingdom, displacing records by Gnarls Barkley-adjacent contemporaries and leading to a notable moment when the BBC Radio 1 playlist and UK Singles Chart debated single eligibility. The partnership released a second studio album, The Odd Couple (2008), before entering intermittent hiatuses as Burton and CeeLo Green pursued projects with Broken Bells, Dangerdoom, Goodie Mob, and solo albums on labels including Elektra Records and Atlantic Records. Reunion appearances and sporadic collaborative releases occurred after 2014 amid changes in the music industry, streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and evolving production collaborations with artists such as Jack White and Pharrell Williams.

Members

- Brian Burton — producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, known professionally as Danger Mouse; previously worked with Jay-Z (The Black Album mashup), Gorillaz, Beck, and The Black Keys. - CeeLo Green — vocalist, songwriter, and performer; first rose to prominence with Goodie Mob and associations with Dungeon Family, LaFace Records, and subsequent solo work spanning soul music and R&B.

Session musicians, touring members, and collaborators have included figures from Nashville Session Players, members of The Roots, producers affiliated with XL Recordings, and guest vocalists connected to Erykah Badu, Bono, and Snoop Dogg during various live and studio projects.

Musical Style and Influences

The duo's sound blended elements of soul music, psychedelic rock, funk, hip hop, and pop music, drawing direct inspiration from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Portishead, and Prince. Production techniques referenced sampling practices associated with Hip hop production innovators like J Dilla and Dr. Dre, while orchestration and arrangement evoked producers such as Brian Wilson and Quincy Jones. Lyrical themes and vocal stylings connected to Sam Cooke and Otis Redding traditions, and the group's aesthetic choices echoed the work of contemporary producers including Pharrell Williams and Mark Ronson as well as experimental approaches exemplified by Radiohead and TV on the Radio.

Discography

- St. Elsewhere (2006) — debut studio album featuring the single "Crazy", notable for its chart performance on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. - The Odd Couple (2008) — second studio album that expanded on orchestral arrangements and eclectic production, released through Downtown Records and Atlantic Records. - Select non-album singles, remixes, and compilation appearances — collaborations and remixes circulated on labels such as Elektra Records and featured in soundtracks alongside artists like Kanye West, Sia, and Lana Del Rey.

The discography also includes contributions to film and television soundtracks, placements on Saturday Night Live, appearances at award shows including the Grammy Awards and the BRIT Awards, and limited-edition vinyl and remix packages released through independent distributors.

Critical Reception and Awards

Critics praised the duo's innovative fusion of retro and contemporary sounds, with major outlets such as Rolling Stone, NME, Pitchfork, and The Guardian offering positive reviews and year-end placements. "Crazy" earned critical acclaim and secured multiple awards, contributing to nominations and wins at the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and BRIT Awards. Industry recognition included songwriting and production awards from organizations like ASCAP and BMI, and the project influenced later producers and acts recognized by institutions such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and national arts councils.

Live Performances and Tours

Touring linked the duo to major festivals and venues including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Madison Square Garden, and headline runs in Europe, North America, and Australia. Live shows featured arrangements that incorporated members of The Roots and orchestral ensembles, attracting support slots and collaborative performances with artists like The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney at benefit events. Television performances on programs such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and Later... with Jools Holland increased mainstream exposure, while festival appearances connected the project to emerging trends in indie and mainstream crossovers.

Category:American musical duos Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles Category:Soul music groups