Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III , known as Aloe Blacc , is an American soul artist, vocalist, songwriter, actor, record producer, businessman and musician. He is best known for his singles I Need a Dollar, UK No.single The Man, and for writing and performing vocals on Aviciis Wake Me Up, which charted atincountries.
Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III was born in Southern Californias Orange County to Panamanian parents. Growing up in Laguna Hills, 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 couldnt 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 wasnt too far off from the trumpet moment...I had a hip hop moment and a musician moment.
Source: Wikipedia