(NEWARK, NJ) -- R&B icon Charlie Wilson is bringing the ultimate soul-infused celebration to fans this summer with his Uncle Charlie's R&B Cookout Tour, produced by Live Nation Urban and P Music Group featuring an all-star lineup of legendary acts including Babyface, K-Ci Hailey and El DeBarge. The nationwide tour includes a stop at Prudential Center on Thursday, September 11, 2025 delivering an unforgettable night of timeless hits, powerhouse vocals, and feel-good vibes.
With decades of chart-topping success between them, Wilson, Babyface, Hailey and DeBarge will take fans on a journey through some of R&B’s most cherished classics. Charlie Wilson’s catalog includes anthems from his time as the co-founder and lead singer of The Gap Band, such as Outstanding, Yearning for Your Love, and Burn Rubber, along with solo hits like There Goes My Baby, I’m Blessed, and Charlie, Last Name Wilson. Together, this lineup promises a night filled with timeless music.
Babyface’s expansive catalog of love songs, including Whip Appeal and Every Time I Close My Eyes, is matched only by the chart-topping hits he’s written and produced for other artists—among them Whitney Houston’s Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Boyz II Men’s End of the Road and I’ll Make Love to You, Tevin Campbell’s Can We Talk, and Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel and Roni.
K-Ci’s signature voice and timeless discography will help set the tone for an unforgettable night. From Jodeci classics like Come and Talk to Me and Forever My Lady to K-Ci & JoJo’s chart-topping ballads All My Life and Crazy, along with his soulful take on Bobby Womack’s If You Think You’re Lonely Now, his set promises both nostalgia and raw emotion.
Rounding out the cookout line up is the incomparable El DeBarge, whose silky falsetto defined an era and helped shape the sound of modern R&B. As the lead vocalist of DeBarge, he delivered timeless hits like Rhythm of the Night and I Like It, songs that blended soul, pop, and funk in a way that resonated across generations.
Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour promises to deliver a must-see cultural experience that celebrates legacy, love, and the timeless spirit of Black music. More than just a concert, this tour brings the feeling of a family reunion to the stage, where generations come together, classics get a second wind, and soul meets celebration. With a lineup of legendary voices and chart-topping anthems, the tour is set to be a vibrant reminder of the power R&B holds in shaping culture, healing hearts, and bringing people together. From the cookout vibes to the sing-along moments, every stop on this tour is designed to feel like home.
“This tour is unlike anything I’ve done before. As someone who truly loves R&B, getting to share the stage with my friends Babyface, K-Ci, and El is something I’m really looking forward to," says Charlie Wilson. "I’ve been performing for so long that my audience isn’t just made up of fans, it really has become a family. Over the years, I’ve come to recognize so many faces, and we’ve grown together through the music. The R&B cookout is gonna be one big family reunion for us and our fans.”
Michael Paran, CEO of P Music Group, shares, “The idea for Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour came naturally because of the bond Charlie has built with his fans and the relationships I’ve developed with Babyface, K-Ci, and El. I’ve seen firsthand how their music brings people together like family, laughing, dancing, and reminiscing on early memories. This tour is about more than just great performances. It’s about capturing that feeling—the joy, the energy, and the nostalgia you feel when you’re surrounded by genuine love. Instead of building the perfect cookout playlist, I wanted to bring it to life with some of the greatest songs we’ve shared memories to and grown up on.”
Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour isn’t just a concert, it’s a family reunion set to the soundtrack of R&B’s most timeless hits. Charlie Wilson, Babyface, K-Ci Hailey, and El DeBarge will bring the heart and soul of a classic cookout to every city, creating an atmosphere where fans are more than just an audience, they’re family. With electrifying performances, nostalgic anthems, and feel-good vibes, this tour is a celebration of community, connection, and the music that has defined generations. Get ready to sing, dance, and reminisce, because at this cookout, everyone is invited.
Tickets start at $34.95 and are available for purchase online. Prudential Center is located at 25 Lafayette Street in Newark, New Jersey.
Produced by Live Nation Urban and P Music Group, Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour will visit 20+ cities, including stops in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Houston. Fans can expect a high-energy, soul-stirring experience that brings the heart of R&B to life on stage.
In select cities, fans can elevate their night with an exclusive all-you-can-eat VIP cookout experience. This one-of-a-kind pre-show event brings the backyard to the venue with a curated menu of classic cookout favorites, specialty cocktails, and laid-back vibes inspired by the culture that raised us. From the food to the music to the fellowship, it’s the perfect way to kick off an unforgettable evening of R&B legends. Availability is limited and only offered in select markets.
