Nightlife + Dining
Ashley Joy Parker
The Purveyor of Viral Pop-Culture Moments: YouTube’s Top Artist CG5 Talks Sound, Style & Evolving IRL
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- September 27, 2024
Looks like mainstream now…
.In 2023, you couldn’t scroll TikTok without hearing the iconic CG5 sound.
“Everybody told me that I look like CG5. Probably because I am CG5.”
The sound originated in a video shared by artist Charlie Green, also known as CG5, and was liked and shared by millions. Although Charlie had a huge online following before the craze, the catchy clip catapulted him into a new level of the digital stratosphere.
Originally from Arizona, the 25-year-old self-taught singer/songwriter and producer began making music on his father’s computer as a young kid. Adopting the name CG5 (a nod to him being the 5th generation of Charlie Green in his family), he launched his YouTube channel in 2014 and began creating original compositions, songs, remixes, and covers inspired by viral memes, television shows, and video games like Dream SMP,Cuphead, Among Us, and more.
Charlie’s initial success as CG5 was driven by his fandom-based music catalog, including Five Nights at Freddy’s-inspired tracks like “I Got No Time (Remix),” and “Labyrinth,” and the Bendy and the Ink Machine-inspired track “Amen.” Simultaneously, his TikTok crossover hit “Absolutely Anything,”—boasting over 7.2 million video creations—was hand-picked by Warner Music Group’s imprint label Spinnin’ Records for redistribution, in turn, marking the artist’s first commercial success.
@cg5beats Do I sound like CG5? 🤔
After releasing dozens of singles online, including “Lonely King,” “Dancin’,” “GRIMACE,” and “I See a Dreamer,” Charlie put out his first EP Patiently in 2020. Consisting of eight songs, the project marked a breakout from fandom-based bops, drawing his own life experiences, as well as experiences he’s never had, for inspiration.
Building on his success, Charlie aims to broaden his audience even further this year and establish a foothold in mainstream pop culture. Marking a new era for CG5, he released the single, “Sleep Well,” in February, followed by “Forbidden Feeling“— co-written and produced by Grammy-winning producer/songwriter iLL Wayno—in May. The songs showcased a more personal and pop-oriented side of his artistry while staying true to his signature engaging and diverse musical repertoire.
His latest single, “OCD” offers listeners a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as seen through his personal journey.“OCD,” according to Charlie, is not just a song but a reflection of the debilitating mental illness that affects millions worldwide. However, the narrative in “OCD” is ultimately one of hope and resilience, and the track further solidifies Charlie’s reputation as an artist who fearlessly explores the complexities of human emotions and experiences.
While Charlie is exploring and expanding on the more intimate side of his music, he certainly hasn’t abandoned his knack for crafting creative adaptations of popular culture phenomenons.
Fans of Murder Drones are in for a real treat as he just released the highly anticipated new track, “LET ME IN,” based on the hit animated web series. Streaming now on all major platforms, the theme song gives voice to the series’ compelling villain, Cyn, and invites listeners into her twisted world, where she declares herself the “solver” and “salvation” amidst chilling and powerful lyrics.
“Cyn is such a fascinating character, and I felt compelled to create a song that encapsulates her essence,” he explains. “Working alongside the original voice actor for Cyn was a pivotal moment in crafting a track that truly resonates with her dark allure.”
The song’s haunting lyrics are sure to spark fan discussions and deeper explorations of Cyn’s character, keeping her presence alive in the minds of dedicated fans. And with over 6,000 user-generated creations already on TikTok, “LET ME IN,” is poised to extend Cyn’s legacy beyond the conclusion of Murder Drones.
In terms of his own legacy, Charlie has galvanized an insane organic viral following over the years. His YouTube channel currently touts over 7 million subscribers and over 2.3 billion views—yes billion with a “b”—making him one of the platform’s leading music creators.
To date, he has also amassed over 1.2 billion worldwide streams on Spotify alone, accompanied by 2 million monthly listeners and over 400 million streams. In addition, you can find over 7.6 million video creations on TikTok based on his songs, with 3.6 million followers on the platform.
And while his social media and streaming achievements are staggering, Charlie is ready to make some magic IRL. He is currently wrapping up the U.S. leg of his Under the Spotlight Tour—his first international tour—and heads to Europe in October before taking the show Down Under in early 2025. He’s also been working on new music that he will be ready to share with his audience soon.
Loop Magazine caught up with Charlie just before he heads overseas where we chatted about his musical inspirations, his powerful new single, his foray into mainstream pop and more. Check out our exclusive CG5 interview below.
Could you take us back to your origin story? How does a kid from Arizona start teaching himself production?
When I was five years old, my dad introduced me to a very simple software that I could use to make my own music. As soon as I started picking it up, I knew that I was gonna be making music forever. So I’ve been teaching myself over the past 20 years. I feel like I’ve got music production mostly down at this point.
You’ve talked about drawing inspired from ‘80s pop music while growing up. What is it about that time that resonates with you?
The ‘80s was a century of groundbreaking, jaw-dropping music, from people such as Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, George Michael, etc. I looked up to all of these artists. I’ve had the classics of the ‘80s on repeat since I was a kid, and all of this music is now engraved in my mind.
Some have described your vibe as “nerdcore?” Explain what that is and how you describe your signature style.
Nerdcore has become a subgenre, meaning songs about nerdy things like video games, cartoons, comics, etc. My signature style in this space is sorta pop/alternative/electronic, though I always explore tons of other different genres with every single thing I make. I break my own boundaries one song at a time.
You are redefining what it is to be a music creator in the modern world of social media and YouTube. How have you seen music and artists in these spaces evolve from when you first started?
Well, I feel like I’ve evolved a lot as a music producer and songwriter over the past six years of my professional career just by continuing to do what the audience demands. And I have adapted to the YouTube environment pretty well now. I’m always trying to learn new ways to post in favor of the algorithm.
Is there a secret sauce to something going viral?
Make something of the highest quality you can possibly muster about a popular thing. Make fast paced videos for YT Shorts/TikTok/IG Reels. But I can’t say I know the definite answer to that. It’s all a matter of whether or not the algorithm approves of the content you’ve created. So I cannot necessarily answer that question in confidence.
What’s the thing that makes you instantly want to remix something when you see or hear it? Is there a particular sound or style that hooks you?
On the rarest occasion, I cover a song, because I see that there’s viral potential, and it makes sense in my brand to do that song. What usually hooks me is if something is new and doing well, and I listen to that song to see if it’s worth my time to cover. Such is the YouTube landscape. For example, I did a cover of “Dancin’” by Aaron Smith, because I saw the potential of that release to be something huge. It was just my intuition about it. And then just as predicted, it went viral, and people still listen to it to this day.
You just released your single “OCD.” It’s a deep dive into your journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder. What inspired you to be so open and vulnerable with this track?
Usually, I’m only writing music about pop culture things and games and such. So it’s been a rare occasion where I actually put out a song about my own life and struggles. But I’m getting into it more, and I find a lot of enjoyment in writing something a little more deep cut, hence “OCD.” My own life has always been full of obsessive and compulsive behaviors caused by my OCD, which is in my opinion the most extreme form of anxiety you could possibly have. Today, I manage my OCD so much better than I used to, and I am now happily married!
Has releasing “OCD” and being so open about your life allowed you to connect with your fans on a deeper level? What has the response been like?
The response has been positive all around the board, with fans reaching out in the comments and talking about how they felt seen with the release of my song. They didn’t feel alone in the mental rollercoaster that OCD takes them on anymore.
What’s been the biggest challenge in transitioning into mainstream pop after your giant online success?
The biggest challenge in transitioning into mainstream pop is that it is something that most of my audience doesn’t expect, so I’m trying to make sure that I stay true to my fan base and get them interested in my expanding vision.
As a consumer, what side of TikTok are you on these days? What is your algorithm showing you?
I see a lot of memes and stupid things (in a good way) on my For You page, but my wife shows me videos of dogs all the time, so I’m starting to see more of those.
What social media or video trend are you totally over now?
I’m very much over the “meme reaper” label, where people say that I have the power to end memes because of how bad these people say my songs are. It became a wave of unnecessary hatred and I’m not a big fan of it. But I take the good with the bad anyways, and continue to use it to my advantage.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
I went to see the Jonas Brothers at a benefit concert they put on when I was 12.
You are currently on your first international tour. What are you hoping audiences walk away with after seeing you live?
I’ve been touring almost every weekend over the past two months, so far only domestically, but I will soon have the opportunity to visit places such as England, Ireland, and Australia. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to create instant core memories for the fans every time I perform and meet them. It’s been so much fun.
Is there any city you are particularly psyched to visit?
I am really excited to go to Amsterdam in Norway. I’ve never been there, and I’m gonna stay there for a little bit longer with my wife after I perform, so I can be a tourist.
There is a lot of talk about artists and their eras. What era is CG5 in right now?
I am in my mainstream era. An era where I’m trying to make a shift over into a new industry. But whatever happens next is up to God. He will take me where I need to go.
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