When you think of an artist who’s collaborated with Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and Lil’ Kim in the last decade, you probably imagine a hotshot producer or an up-and-coming rapper building a reputation via guest spots. But the man who’s booked all those collaborations (and many more) with the stars of contemporary hip-hop is 62-year-old Charlie Wilson, former singer of R&B pioneers The Gap Band and unlikely success story of current urban music.
With The Gap Band, Wilson (along with his brothers Ronnie and Robert) was one of the main figures in 1970s and early ’80s funk and R&B, with hits like “Early in the Morning” and “You Dropped a Bomb on Me.” The group enjoyed a resurgence before parting ways in 2010. Since then, Wilson has been focused on his solo career, including his most recent album, January’s Forever Charlie. The second act of Wilson’s career has included a number of successful solo albums and singles. In 2013 a BET tribute to him (featuring performances from Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and more) was one of the network’s highest-rated programs.
For this tour, Wilson is joined by Kem and Joe, two younger R&B singers who definitely follow in his footsteps. They can look up to Wilson as an elder statesman of R&B, but thanks to his continued popularity, he’s just as much of a peer.
Mandalay Bay, 8 p.m. March 28, $50-$130 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
