Aloe Blacc & Eric Hirshberg share “For Real” music video

Aloe Blacc is a Grammy-nominated soul singer who’s long been a force for connection with music built on meaning as much as melody. From his breakout hit “I Need A Dollar” to the anthemic “The Man” and his era-defining collaboration with Avicii on “Wake Me Up,” Aloe has consistently blended genres and ideals, crafting songs that inspire unity and uplift. In 2025, he returned with Stand Together, a full-length record that captures his mission-driven spirit via an album that feels both like a celebration and a call to action.

His latest work, however, brings a partnership based in shared conviction; teaming up once again with Eric Hirshberg, Aloe steps into a creative dialogue where music becomes both mirror and message. Eric’s own artistic path is utterly fascinating, before turning to music full-time, he spent years shaping cultural moments from behind the scenes as the CEO of Activision, overseeing global franchises like Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Destiny. Prior to that, as CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Deutsch LA, he helped define modern advertising with an approach that fused storytelling, design and humanity.

Named among AdAge’s 50 Most Creative People in Business and inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement, Eric eventually left the boardroom to return to his first love, songwriting. His creative output has been profoundly personal, driven by a desire to reconnect with emotion and purpose. His work as a singer-songwriter blends insight with sincerity, a mix that’s come to define his collaboration with Aloe Blacc. Their new single titled “For Real,” the lead track from Eric’s forthcoming third album More Is Not The Answer, arrives as both a reflection and a reminder, a song about reconnection in an age of noise and distraction.

It marks the second time the two have collaborated, following last year’s “I Love Not Drinking,” a track celebrated by People Magazine, Relix and American Songwriter for its exploration of mindfulness and self-awareness. Where that song focused on inner growth, “For Real” widens the lens, shifting toward the importance of empathy, listening and shared connection.

Built around acoustic warmth and cinematic production, the track glows with intimacy. Aloe’s soulful vocals pairs effortlessly with Eric’s meaningful storytelling, creating what Eric aptly calls Cinematic Folk, a genre that finds balance between heartfelt simplicity and widescreen scope. “This song started as a conversation about our phones,” Eric explains. “We were both trying to reduce the divisive influences in our lives.” What emerged was something bigger, offering a meditation on how to find common ground, even amid disagreement.

That sentiment runs through all of Eric’s recent work, including his previous album Second Hand Smoke, praised for its candid takes on aging, sobriety and mental wellness. Now, with Aloe, the message develops in poignant ways. “I believe in using music to lift people up and bring people together. The concept of this song is one that is needed right now,” Aloe offers. The accompanying music video captures the two artists performing together in the studio, their creative chemistry and performance panache on full display.

Watch the music video for For Real below

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