Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc, born Egbert Nathanian Dawkins III on January 7, 1979 in Laguna Hills, California, is an American singer‑songwriter, rapper and record producer whose career bridges underground hip‑hop and mainstream soul pop. Raised by Panamanian parents, he first learned music on a rented trumpet in third grade, a moment he later described as a turning point that forced him to take his craft seriously. While still a child he absorbed the sounds of LL Cool J and jazz, experiences that shaped his hybrid style. He earned a degree in linguistics and psychology from the University of Southern California in 2001, briefly worked at Ernst & Young, and then returned to music full‑time. In 1995 he co‑founded the hip‑hop duo Emanon with producer Exile, releasing a series of mixtapes, EPs and albums that garnered a cult following in the indie rap scene. Their early work, such as the mixtape Imaginary Friends and the EP Acid 9, blended breakbeat loops with jazz samples and established a reputation for inventive production. After years of underground activity, Blacc launched his solo career in 2003, signing with Stones Throw Records and releasing the critically praised debut album Shine Through in 2006, which displayed his shift toward soulful songwriting. The 2010 album Good Things produced the worldwide hit “I Need a Dollar,” a track that became the theme for HBO’s How to Make It in America and cemented his presence on international charts. In 2013 he co‑wrote and provided vocals for Avicii’s “Wake Me Up,” a global sensation that topped charts in more than 100 countries and introduced his voice to a new generation. Subsequent releases such as Lift Your Spirit (2013) and All Love Everything (2020) continued to blend uplifting lyrics with polished production, while collaborations with artists like Tiësto, Gryffin and Shimza demonstrated his versatility across genres. Beyond music, Blacc is an active philanthropist, supporting malaria eradication initiatives and immigrant‑rights campaigns, and he maintains a family life with his wife, Mexican‑Australian rapper Maya Jupiter, and their two children.