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Aloe Blacc

The All Songs Considered Holiday Cruise 2018
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All Songs Considered

The All Songs Considered Holiday Cruise 2018

Steve Martin, John Legend, William Shatner, Lucius and more join hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton for this year's All Songs Considered holiday extravaganza, which unfolds like a bad high school play.

The All Songs Considered Holiday Cruise 2018

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Songs We Love: Aloe Blacc, 'Merry Christmas Mr. Brown'

Aloe Blacc. Reid Rolls/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Reid Rolls/Courtesy of the artist

Holiday Music

Songs We Love: Aloe Blacc, 'Merry Christmas Mr. Brown'

The soul singer's musical gift to the families of police violence is a healing Christmas Spirit.

01Merry Christmas Mr. Brown

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Putting A Name And Face To A Famous Voice

It's become the newest sports anthem: "The Man" by Aloe Blacc. The song is everywhere. Reid Rolls/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Reid Rolls/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Putting A Name And Face To A Famous Voice

Aloe Blacc sang two of the past year's most ubiquitous singles. So why haven't you heard of him?

Putting A Name And Face To A Famous Voice

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Sasquatch 2011: Aloe Blacc, Live In Concert

Aloe Blacc performs at the 2011 Sasquatch Music Festival. James Bailey for KEXP hide caption

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James Bailey for KEXP

Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch 2011: Aloe Blacc, Live In Concert

One of the great recent records to accompany a late-night drive through the city, Aloe Blacc's Good Things synthesizes the sounds of vintage soul with a contemporary vision.

Sasquatch 2011: Aloe Blacc, Live In Concert

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Aloe Blacc On World Cafe

The MC turned soul crooner, Aloe Blacc recently performed on World Cafe. Dan Monick/Courtesy of Stones Throw Records hide caption

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Dan Monick/Courtesy of Stones Throw Records

World Cafe

Aloe Blacc On World Cafe

XPN

Filled with hints of social commentary, optimism and a lot of 1960s and '70s soul, Aloe Blacc's Good Things put classics to the test with its release last year. Hear Aloe perform two tracks from his latest release and chat with World Cafe host David Dye.

Aloe Blacc On World Cafe

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The Evolution Of Aloe Blacc

Rapper turned retro-soul singer Aloe Blacc says he draws inspiration from Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and James Taylor. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

The Evolution Of Aloe Blacc

The critically acclaimed rapper turned retro-soul crooner has undergone many transformations over the course of his decade-long career. But instead of abandoning his hip-hop roots, he plans to remain in all of his musical outfits, while still exploring new ones.

The Evolution Of Aloe Blacc

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Aloe Blacc On 'World Cafe: Next'

Hear two songs from Aloe Blacc's new album, Good Things, on "World Cafe: Next." Dan Monick hide caption

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Dan Monick

World Cafe

Aloe Blacc On 'World Cafe: Next'

XPN

The MC-turned-singer steers heavily into soulful territory with his new album, Good Things. Centered around vintage-sounding '60s and '70s soul with empowering political lyrics, the record looks to put some classics to the test upon its release on Sept. 28.

Aloe Blacc On 'World Cafe: Next'

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First Listen: Aloe Blacc, 'Good Things'

Aloe Blacc's Good Things is a laid-back collection of vintage soul and modern emotions. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Aloe Blacc, 'Good Things'

Some will know this soul singer from the opening credits for HBO's How to Make It in America, which features his piano-powered recession special, "I Need a Dollar." That same song kicks off Good Things, a laid-back collection of vintage sounds and modern emotions that's sure to rank among the best albums of 2010. Hear it in its entirety here until its Sept. 28 release.