CeeLo Green Opens Up About Nearly Joining Outkast: ‘We Had Really Good Chemistry’

Outkast is undoubtedly one of hip-hop’s iconic duos, but there was a time when André 3000 and Big Boi were considering adding a third member. According to CeeLo Green, who joined T.I.’s Expeditiously podcast earlier this week, the Dungeon Family member was nearly brought in as a third wheel of Outkast.

T.I. actually brought up the story and led CeeLo to explain that there was a “suggestion” made at one point for the Goodie Mob rapper to join the legendary duo, but it never ended up coming to fruition. “It was just an idea because we were the same age. Me, Big and Dre were the youngest of the Dungeon Family,” he said. “That’s probably what made sense about it then.”

Looking back, CeeLo thinks it would have been “overkill” and too many cooks in the kitchen, but he understood that their chemistry was evident, which Tip agreed with. “Just my honest opinion now, it would have been too much. It would have been like three wheels. It would have been overkill,” CeeLo continued. “We had really good chemistry, too … It always seemed as if it could’ve been a natural thing to do.”

The 50-year-old ended up teaming up with Outkast on numerous tracks, including “In Due Time,” “Liberation” and “Slum Beautiful.” And, it’s safe to say things worked out OK for both parties, as CeeLo enjoyed success as a solo artist, as well as with Goodie Mob and as part of Gnarls Barkley.

CeeLo Green just released the first Gnarls Barkley album in 18 years last week alongside his running mate producer Danger Mouse, Atlanta, which will serve as the final installment from the duo.

Watch CeeLo Green’s full interview with T.I. below (Outkast talk starts around 22-minute mark).