Aloe Blacc

Beginning his career as an underground hip hop MC at the age of 16, Aloe Blacc managed to sneak onto a tour across Europe with the American hip-hop group Lootpack. Along the way, he picked up various musical influences that would later shape his music career including jazz and R&B. Incidentally, Blacc found the most success when his musical tastes shifted away from hip hop and toward motown; his 2006 album Shine Through was hailed by critics and fans alike as a gem of vintage soul. Since this album's release, Blacc's music has been featured on television shows and commercials, winning over a rather large and diverse audience for the Los Angeles native.