I never thought I would see the day when I could enjoyably listen to a song from Avicii. First and foremost, I am a music fan because of a tune\u2019s lyrics. The concept of liking a track for its beat arrangement has never \u201cclicked\u201d for me. So, continuously choosing to listen to Avicii\u2019s \u201cWake Me Up\u201d is enough of a rarity to make me thoroughly investigate the track\u2019s vocalist, who should at least deserve a \u201cfeaturing\u201d in the song\u2019s titling. <\/p>\n
Let me introduce you, Shockya readers, to singer\/songwriter, Aloe Blacc. Born in Orange County, California, Blacc began his career in the mid 90s as a rapper in the hip-hop duo, Emanon. Releasing six albums as part of Emanon, Blacc signed with Stones Throw Records and went solo in the early 2000s. He dropped his first LP, \u201cShine Through\u201d in 2006 and four years later, released his second album \u201cGood Things\u201d. Produced by Jeff Dynamite and Leon Michels for Truth & Soul Productions, \u201cGood Things\u201d became an international breakthrough with the lead single, \u201cI Need A Dollar\u201d, going platinum and achieving chart success in over 15 countries in Europe. Certified gold in the UK, France, Germany and Australia, \u201cGood Things\u201d landed Blacc a recording contract with Interscope Records, where he is currently working on his new album with such songwriters and producers as DJ Khalil and Harold Lilly. <\/p>\n
But what does Blacc sound like not beside an Avicii beat? A brilliant vocalist, who brings back soul music to the 21st Century without using other genres as a crutch to garner success. Just think of a modern day Marvin Gaye. His vocals are suave, which draws attention to the perceptive lyrics of each track. While Avicii\u2019s \u201cWake Me Up\u201d allows you to hear the smoothness Blacc can exude in a song, \u201cGood Things<\/a>\u201d places him beside a broader range of instruments and truly shows what era he is comfortable with as an artist, old-school music of the 70s.<\/p>\n Take a listen to Avicii and<\/em><\/strong> Aloe Blacc\u2019s summer hit, \u201cWake Me Up\u201d, below.
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