Gnarls Barkley Bio: CeeLo Green, Danger Mouse, Crazy, Albums, Net Worth, Career

Gnarls Barkley is an American alternative soul and hip-hop duo formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2003. Composed of singer-songwriter CeeLo Green and producer Danger Mouse, the duo gained massive international acclaim with their debut single “Crazy,” which topped charts worldwide and became the first song to reach number one in the UK based solely on digital downloads.

Profile

• Members Real Name: Thomas DeCarlo Callaway (CeeLo Green), Brian Joseph Burton (Danger Mouse)
• Stage Name: Gnarls Barkley
• Active From: 2003
• Origin: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• Active Until: Hiatus since 2008
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Musicians, Songwriters, Producers
• Net Worth: $60 million

Early Life And Members

CeeLo Green

• Date of Birth: May 30, 1975
• Age: 50
• Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• Ethnicity: African-American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Thomas Callaway and Sheila J. Tyler-Callaway
• Siblings: Shedonna Alexander
• Education: University of Georgia

CeeLo Green grew up in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill neighborhood in a religious household. Orphaned by age 18 after losing both parents, he struggled with depression and anger, leading to a troubled youth involving petty crime and isolation.

Danger Mouse

• Date of Birth: July 29, 1977
• Age: 48
• Place of Birth: White Plains, New York, United States
• Ethnicity: White American
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: One
• Education: University of Georgia

Danger Mouse was raised in suburban Spring Valley, New York, until age 13, when his family moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia. He developed a passion for hip-hop, indie rock, and sampling early on, influenced by artists like the Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Neutral Milk Hotel.

Formation

Gnarls Barkley formed in late 2003 when CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse reconnected through Atlanta’s hip-hop scene. They first met in 1998 at a University of Georgia event where Danger Mouse‘s group opened for Goodie Mob and OutKast; CeeLo gave encouraging feedback on Danger‘s demo tape.

Years later, a mutual friend facilitated their collaboration. Danger Mouse sent instrumental beats to CeeLo, who added soulful vocals and lyrics exploring themes of paranoia and introspection. They chose the whimsical name “Gnarls Barkley” (a playful pun unrelated to NBA star Charles Barkley) during a casual cafe game of inventing fake celebrity names. Their debut single “Crazy” emerged organically, blending psychedelic production with raw emotion, leading to a signing with Downtown Records.

Career

Gnarls Barkley, formed in 2003 in Atlanta by CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse, is an American alternative soul and hip-hop duo renowned for fusing soul, funk, hip-hop, and psychedelic pop.

From 2006 to 2008, they achieved explosive success, selling millions worldwide with their innovative sound and enigmatic personas—often performing in costumes to emphasize the project’s anonymity.

Their debut album St. Elsewhere (2006) topped charts in the UK and New Zealand, earning a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “Crazy.” The follow-up The Odd Couple (2008) explored darker themes but underperformed commercially.

The duo entered hiatus after 2008, with both members pursuing solo ventures: CeeLo‘s hits like “Forget You” and The Voice judging role, and Danger Mouse‘s productions for Gorillaz, The Black Keys, and Adele. Teasers for a third album surfaced in 2017, 2020, and April 2025 via CeeLo‘s Facebook post with a photo of the pair, hinting at a release soon amid their busy schedules.

Social Media

• Instagram: @gnarlsbarkley
• YouTube: Gnarls Barkley Official

Personal Life

CeeLo Green

• Height: 5’6″ (168 cm)
• Marriages: Christina Johnson
• Children: Kingston Callaway, Sierra Johnson

CeeLo Green dated singer Keyshia Ka’oir briefly in the early 2010s. Engaged to longtime girlfriend Shani James since 2014, though they keep a low profile and no wedding has been announced. They remain together, with CeeLo focusing on family and sobriety after past legal issues, including a 2014 sexual battery charge (dropped after a plea deal).

Danger Mouse

• Height: 5’11” (180 cm)
• Marriages: Unknown
• Children: Unknown

Danger Mouse keeps relationships extremely private; no major public romances or dating history reported. Briefly linked to actress Sky Ferreira in the early 2010s during collaborations, but unconfirmed. As of 2025, believed to be single and focused on production work and family life in Los Angeles, prioritizing privacy away from the spotlight.

Net Worth

Gnarls Barkley, the American alternative soul duo formed in 2003, has a collective net worth estimated at $60 million. The duo, consisting of CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse, built their fortune through groundbreaking albums like St. Elsewhere (2006), which sold over 2 million copies worldwide, and massive hits like “Crazy” (certified multi-platinum). Additional revenue came from tours, sync licensing (e.g., in films and ads), and Grammy wins.

Post-hiatus, individual successes amplified their wealth: CeeLo‘s $10–12 million from solo albums, endorsements (7 Up, M&M’s), and TV (The Voice), and Danger Mouse‘s $50 million from producing for Adele, The Black Keys, and Gorillaz. Their enduring catalog continues to generate royalties, with a teased third album poised to boost earnings further.

Discography

Studio Albums

• St. Elsewhere (2006)
• The Odd Couple (2008)

Extended Plays

• St. Elsewhere: B-Sides (2006) [Japan exclusive]
• The Odd Couple: B-Sides (2009)

Notable Singles

• “Crazy” (2006)
• “Smiley Faces” (2006)
• “Gone Daddy Gone” (2006) [Violent Femmes cover]
• “Who Cares?” (2007)
• “Run (I’m a Natural Disaster)” (2008)
• “Going On” (2008)
• “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul” (2008)