Need To Know: Dan Black

Another one of our favorite artists to surface in the last year, Brit popster (though he's got elements of rap, rock, and even classical music up his sleeve) Dan Black first rose to fame with his cover of the Notorious B.I.G's "Hynotize," which featured him rapping over the drums from Rihanna's hit "Umbrella" and a string section. Unable to secure the rights to Biggie's lyrics, Black wrote his own lyrics and re-recorded the song retitling it "Symphonies," and the single version of the song, featuring Kid Cudi, is out now on iTunes (see the killer video, which was just nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards, here).

Black's debut album, Un, features the kind of feral hooks and melodies that continue to run wild in your head having their way with you even hours after you've stopped listening to them. Our favorites are "U + Me =," "Cocoon," and "Alone" (the latest single) but you'll be hard pressed to find a song that, sooner or later, you won't be playing on repeat.

We sat down with Black to chat about fame, sampling, and why all the concepts for his music videos begin with stupid ideas and end with him suffering in one way or another:

After our interview, Black stuck around to perform an acoustic version of his song "Wonder":

Un is now available. Check out Dan Black's official website for more info including tour dates (he's currently sharing the stage with Popnog favorites Robyn and Kelis on the All Hearts Tour which plays Webster Hall in NYC tonight and tomorrow night).

-- NOAH MICHELSON

Previously > Need To Know: Marina and the Diamonds

Another one of our favorite artists to surface in the last year, Brit popster (though he's got elements of rap, rock, and even classical music up his sleeve) Dan Black first rose to fame with his cover of the Notorious B.I.G's "Hynotize," which featured him rapping over the drums from Rihanna's hit "Umbrella" and a string section. Unable to secure the rights to Biggie's lyrics, Black wrote his own lyrics and re-recorded the song retitling it "Symphonies," and the single version of the song, featuring Kid Cudi, is out now on iTunes (see the killer video, which was just nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards, here).

Black's debut album, Un, features the kind of feral hooks and melodies that continue to run wild in your head having their way with you even hours after you've stopped listening to them. Our favorites are "U + Me =," "Cocoon," and "Alone" (the latest single) but you'll be hard pressed to find a song that, sooner or later, you won't be playing on repeat.

We sat down with Black to chat about fame, sampling, and why all the concepts for his music videos begin with stupid ideas and end with him suffering in one way or another:

After our interview, Black stuck around to perform an acoustic version of his song "Wonder":

Un is now available. Check out Dan Black's official website for more info including tour dates (he's currently sharing the stage with Popnog favorites Robyn and Kelis on the All Hearts Tour which plays Webster Hall in NYC tonight and tomorrow night).

-- NOAH MICHELSON

Previously > Need To Know: Marina and the Diamonds