Aloe Blacc

The soulful voice that anchored the electronic revolution of the True era.

Aloe Blacc stands as one of the most significant vocal collaborators in the discography of the late Swedish producer Avicii. His soulful delivery provided the human heart within the electronic framework, helping to redefine the boundaries between dance music and organic instrumentation during the mid-2010s.

Last updated 2026-09-28 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III

Born

7 January 1979

Birthplace

Laguna Hills, California, U.S.

Occupation

Singer
songwriter
rapper
record producer

Years active

1995–present

Discography

Aloe Blacc discography

Instrument

Vocals

Genre

R&B
soul
hip-hop
pop

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

In the annals of dance music history, few partnerships resonated as deeply as this one. Blacc’s gritty, gospel-influenced tone cut through synthesizers to deliver a message of longing and awakening. This collaboration signaled a shift away from pure club bangers toward storytelling anthems that could be sung around campfires or heard in stadiums.

The union represented a pivotal moment where the producer sought to ground his digital soundscapes in human emotion. By blending acoustic textures with driving beats, they created a sonic signature that felt both timeless and modern.

Reader's Guide

Aloe Blacc brings a rich history of soul and R&B to his partnership with Avicii. Before their meeting, he had already garnered critical acclaim for his distinct baritone voice and songwriting skills in the American music scene. His contribution to the Swedish producer's catalog is defined by the track Wake Me Up, where his vocals carried the emotional weight of the composition.

This collaboration moved beyond standard electronic dance music conventions by integrating acoustic instruments and folk melodies into a high-energy production. Blacc’s performance on this single helped it achieve massive global commercial success, topping charts in numerous territories worldwide. The partnership highlighted Avicii's desire to incorporate human elements into his digital soundscapes.

Although their recorded output together was focused primarily during the True album cycle, Blacc remains an integral part of that chapter's history. His voice continues to represent the era when electronic music embraced organic instrumentation and storytelling on a grand scale.

Did You Know?

Wake Me Up reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
The song combined electronic dance music production with acoustic bluegrass instrumentation.
Aloe Blacc has performed this track at memorial concerts honoring Avicii's legacy.
This collaboration was featured prominently on the album True, released in 2013.