Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III, known professionally as Aloe Blacc, was born on January 7, 1979, in Orange County, California, to Panamanian immigrant parents. He began his music career in 1995 as a rapper, forming the indie hip-hop duo Emanon with producer Exile, releasing mixtapes and the EP Acid 9 in 1999. Transitioning to solo work influenced by soul artists like Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder, he signed with Stones Throw Records and debuted with Shine Through in 2006, followed by Good Things in 2010, featuring the hit 'I Need a Dollar,' which served as the theme for HBO's How to Make It in America. Blacc gained international prominence co-writing and performing on Avicii's 2013 single 'Wake Me Up,' which topped charts in 22 countries. Subsequent releases include Lift Your Spirit (2014) with 'The Man,' and covers of alt-rock songs on Rock My Soul EPs. His style blends soul, hip-hop, R&B, and Latin elements, emphasizing themes of affirmation, inspiration, and motivation. Live, Aloe Blacc delivers energetic performances drawing from his hip-hop roots and soulful vocals, often covering diverse influences from folk to grunge in funk and R&B reinterpretations.