Aloe Blacc
Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III (born January 7, 1979),[2] known professionally as Aloe Blacc (/ˈæloʊ ˈblæk/), is an American singer-songwriter and rapper. He is best known for his guest performance on Avicii's 2013 single "Wake Me Up", which peaked the charts in 22 countries including Australia and the United Kingdom. As a lead artist, he is known for his singles "I Need a Dollar" and "The Man", the latter of which peaked the UK Singles Chart.[3][4][5] Aside from his solo career, Blacc is also a member of hip hop duo Emanon, alongside American record producer Exile.
Aloe Blacc
- Singer
- songwriter
- rapper
1995–present
2
Vocals
- Stones Throw
- Goontrax
- XIX Recordings
- Interscope
- Dirty Science
- Shaman Work
Early life[edit]
Blacc was born Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III to Panamanian parents in Southern California's Orange County.[6] Growing up in Laguna Hills,[7] he began playing a rented trumpet in third grade. When it made more sense to buy the instrument, Blacc had what he later described as a "very specific moment" in his evolution as a musician. "It forced me to be serious about it. I couldn't just do it to get out of the class room," he said in a 2010 interview. His exposure to LL Cool J in fourth grade was equally significant. "It wasn't too far off from the trumpet moment...I had a hip hop moment and a musician moment."[8]
A Renaissance and Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California, Blacc majored in linguistics and psychology and graduated in 2001. He worked briefly in the corporate sector for Ernst & Young.[7][9]
Career[edit]
1995–2002: Early career[edit]
In 1995, Blacc teamed with hip hop producer Exile and formed Emanon -- 'no name' backwards—which was inspired by the title of the Dizzy Gillespie song "Emanon".[8] With break-beat loops and jazz samples, Emanon became a mainstay of the indie rap underground, and released their first mixtape in 1996, followed by the EP Acid 9 in 1999.[9][10] They subsequently released six projects, the demo album Imaginary Friends (1996), a compilation Steps Through Time (2001) the albums The Waiting Room (2005) and Dystopia (2016) and EPs Acid 9 (1998) and Anon & On (2002) respectively. A fourth album, Bird's Eye View, was recorded but shelved, it is unknown if the material was reworked into their 2016 reunion album Dystopia. While Emanon was Blacc's primary project during this time period, he additionally toured and recorded with the members of the collective Lootpack and worked with the French jazz group Jazz Liberatorz.[11]
Emanon appeared as contestants on a 1998 episode of MTV's The Cut.[12]
Philanthropy[edit]
Blacc is actively involved in Malaria No More. The charity's mission is to end malaria deaths, through "engaging leaders, rallying the public, and delivering life-saving tools and education to families across Africa."[45][46]
Personal life[edit]
Aloe Blacc is married to Mexican-Australian rapper Maya Jupiter. In 2013, they had their first child, a daughter, Mandela.[47] In January 2016, they had their second child, a son.[48]