(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Cee Lo Green says his music career is "like another childhood".

The 37-year-old US hip-hop star stormed the charts internationally last year with the song F**k You! and is considered one of the most exciting acts in the industry right now.

Cee Lo admits that when he goes on tour he isn't quite as wild as heavy metal bands like Mtley Cre, although he does make sure he finds time to party.

"No, I'm not as crazy as those guys," he laughed to ShortList. "But I make it my business to have a good time because I feel I deserve it. This is like another childhood, man. Who would have thought I'd get to live out all these carnal wants and needs?"

The singer was feeling reflective about his younger years, and admits his wild behaviour stemmed from a desire to feel accepted. Cee Lo felt a life of drinking and violence was the only path for him, and credits his passion for music for making him realise he should make a change.

"The stuff I did was so outlandish that it's hard to articulate it without sounding like I'm glamourising it. I was angry about being an outcast. I would have liked to fit in and have tons of friends, but I didn't. So I'd cut school, drink beer and end up making examples of people," he recalled.

"After a while I became so comfortably numb with violence I felt that my only purpose in life was to be a rudeboy. So really, music saved my life. I've always said that if I wasn't famous, I'd be infamous." (C) Cover Media