If Aloe Blacc were to be remembered for his vocals on Avicii’s Wake Me Up only, it would be a bloody shame. Let’s at least also recall him for his wonderful real name: Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III. And needless (I hope) to remind you of his own hits I Need A Dollar and The Man.

Last year he released three tracks (one of them being the great Broke), all of which haven’t yet appeared on an album (that’s a more or less coherent collection of songs, kids). The same goes for his new single, King Is Born. A new classic, as far as I’m concerned. Most literally so, because it uses a sample from The Ides Of March’s 1970 hit Vehicle. Pop quiz question: in what hugely popular rock band did The Ides Of March singer Jim Peterik show up in the 1980’s?^(*)

Talking about boxing, this brings me back to Aloe Blacc’s new single. King Is Born is the theme song to the upcoming boxing match between titans Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, on 26 August. It’s also scheduled to appear on Blacc’s new album, that he is currently finishing.

King Is Born is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard and will feature here prominently the whole week long!

^(*) Survivor, best-known for their Rocky-related hits Eye Of The Tiger and Burning Heart.

Werner Schlosser

Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.