In der „Artist Feature“ Interviewserie erzählen uns Newcomer und etablierte Musiker Geschichten aus ihrem Künstleralltag. Diese Woche mit Aloe Blacc.
Berufsmusiker zu werden, das war eigentlich nie der Plan von Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III alias Aloe Blacc. Der 39-jährige hatte ein Wirtschaftspsychologie Studium in der Tasche und arbeitete bei einer großen Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. 2010 feierte er dann mit His wie „I Need A Dollar“ seinen großen musikalischen Durchbruch.
Wir haben uns mit Aloe Blacc über seine kalifornische Heimat, seine ersten musikalischen Schritte mit Producer Exile, das Wirtschaftspsychologie Studium und viele weitere Themen unterhalten. Enjoy!
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Interview mit Aloe Blacc
You was born and raised in Laguna Hills, a small ville in Southern California’s Orange County. Please tell us a bit: Growing up there how was it?
Aloe Blacc: My neighborhood was pretty relaxed. It was in an average suburban town where all the kids around knew one another and we would gather to play games at the park. Ever since an early age I was into hip-hop, beginning with breakdancing at age 5 and then writing rap lyrics at age 9. I eventually began recording at age 15 when I met DJ Exile and we formed the duo EMANON (Album Stream & Review).
Where to go to eat when in Laguna Hills? Do you have a special place you can recommend when visiting Laguna Hills first time?
Aloe Blacc: Back when I used to live there as a youngster, the hangout spot was the local pizza restaurant. The food was inexpensive and there were video games that kept us all busy for hours. If someone were to visit today, I think the best place to visit would be a California classic fast-food place called In-N-Out.
Back in 1995, you teamed up with Exile and formed a rap crew called Emanon aka ‚no name‘.How did this collaboration come together and how did you find your way into hip-hop culture?
Aloe Blacc: I met Exile through a mutual friend when he was in search of an emcee for his mixtape. We began recording and releasing music locally. We would sample from records in all different genres and add beats programmed on a drum machine. I spent most of my free time writing lyrics. That was my hobby as a teen. Eventually, our music and name spread around the world and we became significant members of the hiphop culture because people appreciated our music.
Living in Southern California, how was it back then?
Back in the 90’s Southern California was a fun place to be. I had the benefit of being part of a developing underground hip hop scene that was gaining it’s own identity. There were venues where underaged teens could hang out and listen to music or see live performances from artist who would eventually become some of the biggest in the industry. It was a great time.
A little later, you graduated in communications and linguistics psychology at the University of Southern California. You also worked for a well known accounting firm. What made you to focus on your career as an artist?
When I lost my job as a business consultant, I decided it was a good time to focus on music, rather than look for another job right away. This was my opportunity to follow my dream and build something from the hours and hours invested in making music. Also, there was demand already coming from my community and abroad. Fans were eager for new music and live performances.
Hip-Hop artists from around the world would hire me guest appear on their projects, I would tour around Europe, and continue to sell my CDs and music at local shows. I thought that if I ever have trouble paying rent I could just get another job, but I never had to resort to that.
In 2006, you released your first Solo Album „Shine Through“ via Stones Throw. How did this collaboration come together and how is it working with Peanut Butter Wolf?
Peanut Butter Wolf had a good referral system for finding eclectic talent, especially for uncovering underground music by getting recommendations from artists on his label. I met Stones Throw artists on a European tour that I joined and I began recording with a producer artist named OH NO when we returned home.
At the time Eothen „Egon“ Alapatt was the general manager of the label when he and Wolf became aware of the songs I was recording. I collaborated with OH NO and his legendary brother Madlib on a couple of songs on the album. Stones Throw helped me distribute the album and were also key in opening the door wider to Europe.
What’s the recording process like when you’re in the studio?
I always try to bring a few top ideas into each writing session. If we can walk out with a finished demo in a few hours, its been a successful day. If the song is already written, then recording it from scratch is fairly academic. The bulk of the time polishing a song is spent in post production. I prefer to be in the comfort of my home studio to test out different ideas.
Over the past years, you collaborated with a bunch of outstanding artist like Fashawn, Avicii or Dilated Peoples. How was it working with them?
I enjoyed working with all of them. For me, a collaboration is an opportunity to use a different voice and offer a unique perspective. When I wrote the lyrics to „Wake Me Up“ I was channelling the voice of great folk songwriters like Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger. I wrote and recorded an acoustic version first to guitar accompaniment played by Mike Einziger from Incubus.
Then in another studio session, Avicii helped to produce certain parts of the vocal melody to finish the final recording. He took a big risk in blending that folk and bluegrass sound with dance music but eventually it was a big success. It’s very sad and unfortunate that he is no longer here with us.
Collaborating with Nas and Lin-Manuel Miranda on „Wrote My Way Out“ for the Hamilton mix-tape, was done through separate studio sessions. I composed my lyric and melody with the help of an instrumental recording of the beat that everyone would eventually write lyrics to. I didn’t actually meet with them until filming of the music video.
You played a dozens of shows at different places on earth. What did you learn about different places, people and culture?
I’ve been traveling around the world for a long time now, and what I love most is what unites each of the peoples and cultures that I’m able to visit. The universal language of music is spoken all over the world, and when we get down to it, everyone wants to be loved and have a good time. I’m honored to spread that where I can, and have a good time in the process.
Five minutes, before the show starts …
It’s time to walk to stage and huddle up with the band for our traditional team chant.
Five minutes after the show …
I’m out signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.
Mit „Brooklyn In The Summer“ erschien am 27. April ein neues Musikvideo von Aloe Blacc. Dazu wird noch in diesem Jahr ein neues Album erscheinen – Details dazu werden in Kürze bekannt gegeben.
Der Beitrag Artist Feature #169: Interview mit Aloe Blacc über seine kalifornische Heimat, die Karriere vor der Musik und vieles mehr erschien zuerst auf RAP-N-BLUES.com.