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Throughout the years, the world has had every opportunity to get to know Cee-lo and Jazze Pha for their musical talents. Cee-lo first debuted into the music world as one fourth of the rap collective, Goodie Mob. Since their start, he has released numerous albums with the group, and has also maintained a successful solo career. He’s also done a host of tracks as a member of ATL’s Dungeon Family, alongside other members, including Outkast.

Meanwhile, Jazze Pha has become well known on the production side of things, producing hits for a host of A-List rappers, including Trick Daddy and Youngbloodz. Most recently, he’s become even more well known for his label, Sho’Nuff Records, which is currently the home new Crunk~n~B princess Ciara. Now, after working together on numerous occasions throughout their careers, Jazze and Cee-lo have decided to come together as one, and the outcome is their group debut, appropriately titled “Happy Hour”.

Now that the album is complete and the first single is killing the charts, they’ve embarked on a tour to promote their soon-to-be-released gem! We had a moment to catch up with Jazze and Cee-lo during one of their brief breaks, and they had a lot to say about their contributions to the game, and this album! Peep our exclusive!

Part 1 - Jazze Pha

What’s going on?

Hey James, what’s happenin’ man?

Nothing much man! As always, many thanks go out to you brothers for taking time to talk today…

Oh, for sure!

Now I know off the bat that you and Cee-lo have been good friends for quite some time, but how did you two arrive at the notion of joining forces to form the ultimate group?

Well you know, Cee-lo and I have done collaborations together, and we’ve known each other for a while. It all began with Trick Daddy’s record, “In Da Wind”.

Man, it’s funny that I still play that song to this day. It was so hot that I went out and bought the single…

Oh yeah? Then, we did some work together on his last album, “Cee-lo Green Is The Soul Machine”.

Right, that was just out last year…

Then we did “All I Know”, a collaboration with Field Mob for their record. From there, he was going to do collaboration on my solo album, but we realized that we were working so well together that we should just come together as a unit and do a full album.

You have so many people out there, who have been succesful as solo artists, and then they try to link with another artist as a group and it doesn’t work. What made you know that this would work with you and Cee-lo?

I sing, rap, and produce, and the same thing for Cee-lo. So to me, that’s like super powers.

So the both of you are producing tracks on the album?

Oh yea, we’re both putting in production work.

The first single has a big party vibe to it. What’s to be expected for the remainder of the album?

Oh yeah, the album definitely has a party element to it. We’re having a damned good time with this album, and you’re able to dance to the music. When you see us perform, it’s going to exemplify everything. When the ladies see us, they’ll want to go out and have some drinks with us. Just like the song says, “Let’s Go Have Some Drinks”. Once you get the whole visual, it all comes together.

I think the biggest bonus is that the two of you actually have a natural chemistry together, and you actually work together in the studio, as opposed to sending tracks back and forth to each other. Not only that, but the video is hot, and you guys are really out promoting it.

Oh man, I appreciate that. You know, we’re both solo, and he’s [Cee-lo] a big fan of the Bar-Kays, and just funk period. You know, my dad was one of the Bar-Kays. I grew up around all of that…

Oh wow man. I did not know that at all.

Yea, my dad is James Alexander, lead singer of the Bar-Kays.
Yeah man!

So now I see where you get your style from!

Yea man! You hear a lot of real music in my production. That’s what I’m about, is real music. I like to create a new vibe and change things.

Did you guys collaborate with other artists/producers for this album?

Oh yea, most definitely! Production-wise, we worked with a guy named Jasper Cameron. He worked on “Na Na Na” with me for Nelly’s album. We did something with Mannie Fresh. He did a track. Of course, Cee-lo did a few tracks, and then we have Ciara, Nate Dogg, and Aaron Hall singing.

How are you finding the time to do an album and whatnot, while running a label [Sho’Nuff Recordings] at the same time?

Well man, you know, it’s like I can walk and chew gum at the same time (laughing). You know, I can do two things at the same time.

That was the first thing I asked, too, man, when I first heard that you two were dropping the album. I’m like, how is this cat going to do all of this, and run the label?t

Man, it definitely isn’t easy though. We have partners and everything that can keep the label moving when I’m gone. Plus, I got things locked up with the beats. I’m still making music as we roll. We just got out on the road. We’re about to get a studio bus.

How much further will you guys take this union? Will you do multiple albums as a duo?

Well you know, this being a career, we’re going to do this until we can’t do it anymore. Just until we feel like we’ve got to do something else.

Well, I think the two of you are creating a good brand with this union. I believe that a lot of people, especially the “grown and sexy” crowd, will really stick to this, because it’s not just the typical “blahzay blah” that you hear on the regular from a lot of artists.

Yeah man, I truly hope so. I appreciate you saying that, too. You know, it’s just about us creating some real, quality music and having some style. You can buy clothes and all kinds of material, but you cannot buy style. Cee-lo, that boy has style, and so do I, and when you put that together, you get so much. This is an album that the ladies can get into! This is an album that the players can get into! It’s going to be one of the best word of mouth pieces in a long time.

Now you said you two have been on the road, is there an elaborate tour going on right now?

Right now, we’re doing the promo stops, meet and greets, hug and shake hands, kiss a few babies, signing autographs, and letting the people know we are out here, and we’re getting’ down!

Now the album will be dropping when?

The album is going to be out, we’re thinking, around Valentine’s Day.

Well I personally can’t wait for it to hit stores man. I’m kind of disappointed that it’s not for another three months.

Well you know, we want to build that awareness. And you know, that’s just a tentative date. If we can get that action that we really need ahead of time, then we’ll push it up.

Now you’re dropping more singles before the album drops, right?

Oh yea, definitely. We’re thinking about a few different tracks, but you know, that’s something that could change overnight.

Are there any final comments, or anything you really wanted to get out there?

Oh yeah man, Sho’Nuff Records is coming at ya! I’ve got so many surprises man. I’ve got a couple of things coming. People know that I’m out here and that I’ve got the label running! Just be ready!

Well I think it’s definite your time man! I keep so many cd´s, and I was going through some and found some Youngbloods music from back in the late nineties that you had worked on. It’s crazy how long you’ve been grinding, and things are just now beginning to bubble, but I really think it’s your time now. Your work with Ciara really put you out there to where you needed to be, and it made people recognize the pure talent that you have with production and so forth.

Part 2 - Cee-lo

What’s going on man?

What’s happening with it?

Man, I’ve definitely got to thank you as well for taking time out to talk. I know you guys have been out on tour now!

Oh, it’s all cool!

Kind of touching on you guys hooking up again, what made you want to join forces with Jazze Pha for a full-length album?

Man, I just felt like it was time for us to get together and make this offering and contribution. We need to shine as a beacon and show our capabilities. That’s my take on it. Getting people accustomed to the schemes of urban music. This is going to push our music and culture forward.

Is this something you would want to continue down the line if the album reaches its potential? We all know that you have your own solo career going as well, and you’ve done well with it.

I’m just going to be busy. This is casual, and effortless. We’re having a lot of fun doing this, and it doesn’t seem like work. Music is in our thinking, style and vibe. It’s really not a thing for me to get with Jazze Pha on a daily basis. Plus, the boy is a legend, so it’s not a thing for me to reach out to him, and he’ll probably have something going on at the time anyway. I’m having fun.

He was telling me about the title. Can you shed some more light on why it’s called “Happy Hour”?

Well of course, it’s basically our party, and we can ball if we want to. You know, we’re having fun, and bringing the ladies joy. It’s a complete concept.

What do you want folks to gather from this album?

Once they hear it, they will definitely see and hear us in a whole new light. It’s shocking and satisfying all at the same time. If anything, I encourage people to know my range.

I know you also have done some work with Big Boi and Purple Ribbon, but what else is happening?

At this point in my career, I have established many affiliations. Of course, I’ve finished this project with Jazze, and I also have another solo album completed which will drop later next year. So I have both of those and an album with Danger Mouse.

Oh man, now that should be off the chain!

That’s definitely going to be off the hook! Be on the lookout for that. We’re also working on the preliminary for a new Goodie Mob album!

Oh man, now you know people have been waiting for that for a long time! I talked to Khujo right after Hurricane Katrina, and he spoke on it. He was equally excited man, so I know that’s going to roll off nicely!

Yeah, so I’ve been working hard. I’ve got a lot of hats man, but I’m wearing them well!

Now, are there any final thoughts on your behalf?

Oh, just much love to everybody and all the fans of the music. There’s plenty more where that came from!