Ugly Sweater Says T-Pain Inspired Him to Give ‘Masked Singer’ a Shot: ‘I Saw That It Was Fun’

Spoiler alert: This story comprises the id of the contestant eradicated on Wednesday night time’s (April 17) episode of The Masked Singer.

The eleventh season of The Masked Singer has thus far featured a really eclectic group of eradicated crooners, together with comic/actor Kevin Hart (Ebook); restauranteur Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs); TV personalities Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound), Billy Bush (Sir Lion) and Colton Underwood (Lovebird); in addition to NFL corridor of famer DeMarcus Ware (Koala) — and precise singer Sisqó (Lizard) too.

On Wednesday night time (April 17), Ugly Sweater crushed it with some incomparable excessive notes on “Queen Night time,” throughout a celebration of the enduring British rock group within the Group A finals. After wowing the judges in an earlier episode with a funk-forward cowl of The Commodores’ “Brick Home,” Sweater did it once more with a candy, soulful run by means of Queen’s 1984 energy ballad “I Need to Break Free.”

When it got here time to guess, the judges had been within the neighborhood, with Robin Thicke praising the singer’s signature “nasty” notes on “Home” (and rapidly guessing the singer’s id), whereas choose Rita Ora speculated it could possibly be Smokey Robinson, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg guessed Aaron Neville (after earlier guessing that Lionel Richie lined his personal tune) and always-wrong Ken Jeong aiming too younger with New Jack swinger Johnny Gill.

Who was that masked man who’s 13 Grammy nominations and has a lock as Billboard‘s high grownup R&B male artist with probably the most No. 1s in that class so far? None aside from former Hole Band lead singer and solo star Charlie Wilson, greatest recognized for such hits as “Social gathering Practice,” “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” “Oops Upside Your Head” and his featured vocals on songs by rappers together with Snoop Dogg, The Infamous B.I.G., Pharrell, U.G.Okay. and Tyler, the Creator, amongst many others.

Along with his shock look alongside Tyler ultimately weekend’s Coachella — the place he carried out on the rapper’s 2019 single “Earfquake” and did a little bit of The Hole Band’s “Excellent” — Wilson, 71, obtained a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in January and is at present selling his Billboard high 5 grownup R&B chart solo single “Superman.”

Billboard spoke with Wilson earlier than his elimination to listen to about how T-Ache impressed him to get within the Masked recreation, how sporting the Ugly Sweater was no vacation, and what it felt like to slide onto the principle stage at Coachella final weekend.

Be sincere: Had you ever watched this present earlier than they reached out?

Oh yeah! I noticed the one when T-Ache gained [in season 1 as Monster]. I used to be so excited for him. I do know T-Ache, he did songs for me and he’s a really gifted younger man. I noticed that it was enjoyable and I wished to get to be part of it, however it simply took a while as a result of I used to be busy doing reveals and recordings. I assumed, “I can do that,” so it lastly dropped in my lap.

Some iconic old-school and new-school R&B greats have appeared on the present — Bobby Brown, Religion Evans, Toni Braxton, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Seal, Gladys Knight — so it looks as if there’s no disgrace within the recreation of placing on that costume proper?

Yeah, my costume was… oh my gosh. It was constructed for me and was one of the costly fits they’ve constructed for the present. The [showrunners] stored telling me to attempt and ensure I keep so long as I can as a result of [they said], “We spent some huge cash on this swimsuit!” It was so heavy! So, so heavy I may barely stroll in it. The feathers on the pinnacle had been 8 to 10 kilos a chunk and so they needed to take some off. I may barely decide up my ft!

It looks as if an amazing showcase for therefore lots of these basic R&B singers, particularly a few of your old-school friends.

I don’t find out about anyone else, however I didn’t give it some thought being a showcase for me, as a result of I’m nonetheless making No. 1 information. The truth is, I’ve a high 5 tune this week with one in all my information [Wilson is in the top five on Billboard‘s Adult R&B Airplay chart with “Superman”]. I’m the one one on the market nonetheless making high 5 information within the enterprise!

You’ve been at this for greater than 50 years, so inform me: Is that this the weirdest gig you’ve ever had?

It’s a blessing and a curse on the identical time, as a result of lots of people don’t need to see me have these information do in addition to they’re doing. All these folks you talked about all want that they had the information I’m having. So yeah, I don’t pop my collar on a regular basis, however folks carry it up.

The judges’ guesses had been in every single place, however principally within the pocket. I can’t think about you had been ashamed to be confused for Smokey, Aaron or Lionel?

[Laughs] No, Robin Thicke mentioned, “That’s Charlie Wilson!” as quickly as I opened my mouth. I used to be like, “Oh man, I’m toast!” as quickly as I opened my mouth and sang! He mentioned, “I studied his voice and know him just like the again of my hand.” I used to be like, “Might you simply be quiet for a second?” He was tearing me up.

Talking of, how did it really feel to sing that Commodores tune? Was there any rivalry with them in your bands’ heydays within the Seventies and ’80s?

Oh man, it was all the time that [rivalry] as a result of if bands are good, they’re gonna be at it. I gained’t stand round and have somebody name me a bootsy [someone who is uncool or weird]. I’m gonna get you. I’m gonna come after you want y’all coming after us! It was all in enjoyable, not hostile, we was all in enjoyable. I like The Commodores.

You’ve had a lot success collaborating with rappers through the years — particularly Snoop and Tyler. What’s it about hip-hop that appeals to you? And discuss to me about becoming a member of Tyler at Coachella final weekend.

It’s nice anytime I sing with these rappers or anybody from again within the day is coming for me and it’s their concept. In the event that they need to do it, I’m gonna do it. I’m so, so blessed to have rappers nonetheless coming for me.