Green set to make Lima go 'Crazy'

Nov. 14—LIMA — CeeLo Green is set to bring his signature hip-hop and R&B sound to Lima on Friday night.

The Grammy-winning performer is excited to perform the hits everyone knows and what he calls a social experiment to the show that starts at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Civic Center.

"It's like an exercise for me," Green said. "I have to get out there at 300 and some odd pounds and prove I can still rock for 90 minutes straight. For anybody that is in that weight class or in my age demographic, I'm here to give you life because if I can do it, you can too."

But Green's priority will be performing hits like "Forget You" and "Crazy."

"The audience can definitely look forward to a showcasing of songs ranging from A to Z for those who go back to my beginning with the Goodie Mob representing the Dungeon Family," he said. "And then we'll bring it up to the present day and do some of the classic records, of course. And then we'll throw in some curveballs because you need to be pleasantly surprised every now and again to remind you you're still alive."

It should be easy to accomplish these goals with a catalog Green describes as an exciting adrenaline rush and an action-packed, fantastic voyage.

"The way that I like to put a show together is the way that I like to receive a show as a fan," he said. "Of course, certain groups have those hit ballads and those valley moments in the course of the show that bring you down to earth, and then you have those blast-off moments, too. I believe that the narrative of the show should be like a play, too, with a storyline and smoke and mirrors so I'm hoping to make it a memorable experience for everybody to ride a show out with high energy and not a lot of talking."

The opportunity for fans to dance and get involved is where Green sees the show as a social experiment.

"I've had people tell me they hadn't been rocked that hard before," he said. "It's not just about sitting there and watching somebody do a long guitar lick the way they used to do it. It's an active component that has now taken precedence in modern-day music and performance."

Green is currently pulling double duty, matching his tour schedule with a 50th anniversary of hip-hop tour as part of the Goodie Mob, accompanying the likes of LL Cool Ja and Eric B. and Rakim, along with recording new music with Gnarls Barkley.

"I've had the honor of sharing the stage with some of the best in hip-hop and it's been my pleasure to be invited and be a part of it," he said. "Another Gnarls Barkley album is in the works and I know I've said that the last few years, but I'm sincere and we're getting very close. Greatness takes time."

For more information, visit Green's website, ceelogreen.com.

To purchase tickets to the show, visit the Civic Center website, limaciviccenter.com.

Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder out of Toledo will support the show.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.