Aloe Blacc: The Soulful Voice of Modern Pop
Aloe Blacc is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper known for his rich baritone and uplifting blend of soul, pop, and folk. Hailing from Southern California, he achieved global fame with the multi-platinum single "Wake Me Up," a collaboration with Avicii that topped charts in over 20 countries.
Early career
Born Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III in 1979, Aloe Blacc began his musical journey in the late 1990s as one-half of the hip-hop duo Emanon. His solo debut, Shine Through, arrived in 2006 on Stones Throw Records, showcasing his early transition from rapping to a more soul-influenced singing style.
Breakthrough
His major commercial breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of the single "I Need a Dollar." The song became an international hit after being used as the theme for the HBO series How to Make It in America. This success propelled his album Good Things on the independent label Stones Throw, which later earned a gold certification in the UK.
Key tracks
I Need a Dollar — This soulful anthem became a global hit and defined his early breakthrough with its timely economic message.
Wake Me Up — His vocal collaboration with Avicii fused folk and EDM, becoming a worldwide chart-topper and diamond-certified phenomenon.
The Man — This 2013 solo single from the album Lift Your Spirit reached the top ten in both the UK and US, earning a platinum certification.
Brooklyn in the Summer — A later single highlighting his smooth, mature soul sound and skilled songwriting for his 2018 album.
Following his massive success, Blacc signed with major label Interscope Records and released Lift Your Spirit in 2014. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, solidifying his place in the mainstream. His career is marked by notable collaborations, including work with producers like David Guetta and artists like Zara Larsson.
Artists with a similar blend of soulful vocals and contemporary pop craftsmanship include John Legend who shares a penchant for piano-driven soul anthems. Leon Bridges also explores classic soul and R&B revivalism. The uplifting folk-pop spirit can be found in the work of Michael Kiwanuka. For a more direct mix of hip-hop and soul, listen to Anderson .Paak.
The music of Aloe Blacc maintains consistent rotation across adult contemporary, pop hits, and soul radio stations featured on this website. His catalog, from the grassroots soul of Good Things to his polished major-label pop, provides a perfect fit for diverse programming blocks seeking authentic vocal talent.
Listeners can discover the soulful genre of Aloe Blacc by tuning into the various radio stations available on onairium.com, where his timeless hits and newer releases are regularly featured in the playlist rotation.
