Aloe Blacc

Raised by Panamanian immigrants in Southern California, Aloe Blacc grew up around the sounds of salsa, merengue, and cumbia. Across three albums, his sound evolved and grew, finding a pocket that reflects the long and beautiful history of American soul with timeless, descriptive songwriting that speaks to the broad range of human experience. Versatile and compassionate, his songwriting is classic in a way that makes categorization irrelevant; indeed, Blacc’s lyrics have been paired with dance music and country—always to stirring effect. Aloe Blacc isn’t defined by genre. Beloved hits like “I Need a Dollar,” “The Man,” and “Wake Me Up,” with Avicii, may not fall under the same musical umbrella, but they’re united by how they make the listener feel.