Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III , known as Aloe Blacc. He is an American singer, songwriter, musician, rapper, and businessman. His biggest hits include the singles “I Need a Dollar,” and the UK No. 1 “The Man.” He is also famous for his composition of the Avicii theme “Wake Me Up,” the world # 1.
Biographical synthesis
He was born in Southern California , Orange County , on January 7 , 1979 . Son of Panamanians. He grew up in Laguna Hills, California. He began his musical career playing a rented trumpet in third grade and was writing rap lyrics by age 9 and continued with the instrument throughout high school. He studied at the University of Southern California although his artistic endeavors were behind his school goals, Aloe still managed to learn to play the guitar and piano, he graduated in 2001 . He worked for a short time in a private company.
Artistic career
In 1995 , Blacc partnered with hip-hop producer Exile and together they formed Emanon (‘no name’ spelled in reverse). With shocking novelties and some jazz touches, Emanon soon became the main exponent of alternative rap, his first works, EP “Acid 9” in 1999 . They then released three albums: Steps Through Time ( 2001 ), Imaginary Friends ( 2002 ), and The Waiting Room ( 2005 ).
As his style evolved, he looked for new ways to express himself. Through the influence of classic soul singers ( Marvin Gaye , Stevie Wonder , Sam Cooke )
Although Emanom was Blacc’s priority project, during that time he also toured, recorded with members of the Lootpack collective, and worked with the French jazz group Jazz Liveratorz. In 2003 he launched his solo career and released two EPs. From rapper he became a singer, although without abandoning his hip hop spirit or his perception of social conscience. By then, Blacc was more focused on creating songs. In 2006 , he signed for Stone’s Throw Records. His first album “Shine Through” came out, with soul / R & B themes. a combination of retro-soul and Latin music.
Although his debut solo album did not triumph in the charts, it did so among the specialized media and the independent hip hop and soul community. In 2009 , while working on his second album, he toured Europe and the United States with Emanon, and collaborated with Japanese hip hop producer Cradle on a project called Bee.
In 2010 he released the album that would change his life and career: “Good Things” with the Stones Throw Records label. It was a Gold Record in the United Kingdom , France , Germany and Australia , among other countries. It became a complete revolution after its release on the market. The album included the single “I Need a Dollar,” which was part of the HBO television series Looking for Life in America. In 2011 , Blacc contributed a song to the Red Hot + Rio 2 album, a follow-up to the 1996 self-titled album, the proceeds of which were donated to fight AIDS and improve health and social conditions.
In 2013 , Aloe co-wrote and starred in “Wake Me Up” with Swedish DJ Avicii, an international hit that reached the Top Five of Billboard’s Hot 100. In September of the same year, he signed with Interscope Records and released the EP “Wake Me Up “with five songs, including” The Man “Aloe’s most successful single up to that moment. In October 2013, Blacc released a solidarity music video, to collaborate with the mission of the immigrant rights group, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Foundation’s Healing Power of Music Initiative, directed by Alex Rivera. His third album, Lift Your Spirit , was released in some territories later that year. In the United States, it was published via Interscope in early 2014.
