Aloe Blacc is an American soul singer, activist and philanthropist. You’ll know him for his joyous, soaring succession of hits: I Need a Dollar, The Man, and Wake Me Up. (He’s also got a brilliant new album out: All Love Everything.)

Aloe is a fascinating man — a psychological linguistics graduate who approaches his music and his career with an academic, strategic eye; a level-headed activist who radiates good advice in every sentence. And, of course, a beautiful singer, songwriter and performer.

In this episode, Aloe talks about how he wrote I Need a Dollar after he lost his job at Ernst and Young; about how the music industry has forgotten its political role; and about his five year plan to become a billionaire.