Van Hunt was born in Dayton, Ohio. When asked about Dayton, he comments, “There’s something in the southern soil of Ohio that creates an atmosphere and forms its people. I come from a place that is so pretty, yet in some ways is so destructive. You can feel all that in my music.” Van remembers his relationship with music beginning as early as age eight. He discovered Prince two years later when his father introduced him to Prince’s self-titled album. “Prince connected the dots between the music in my head and the idea of pursuing a career in music,” Van recalls. By 16, Van was performing in nightclubs. Van’s career in the industry spans over 20 years and includes writing and co-producing the hit song Hopeless, which appeared on the Love Jones soundtrack; a 2005 Grammy nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for his song Dust; and a 2007 Grammy award for Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group (along with John Legend and Joss Stone) for a cover of Family Affair by Sly Stone. His influences range from Thelonius Monk, Sly Stone and Prince, to Bach and Franz Liszt. A diverse collection of Van’s masterful compositions displays the skill, originality, and integrity for which his music has become known. He has released two albums, including his first, Van Hunt, and a second offering, On the Jungle Floor. Due to changes in the music industry, Van’s third album, Popular, has never been officially released. The digital release of Van’s first independent offering, Use In Case of Emergency (rare items from the vault), a collection of unreleased material and re-mixes, is now available here on VanHunt.com.