{{Short description|New Zealand rapper and songwriter}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox musical artist | name = David Dallas | image = | caption = | alias = Con Psy | birth_place = Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand | origin = Auckland, New Zealand | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|rap}} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}} | years_active = 2001–present | label = {{hlist|Dirty Records|Dawn Raid Entertainment|Duck Down Music|Mean As Music|Hobby}} | past_member_of = Frontline | associated_acts = {{hlist|Frontline|41|P-Money|Scribe|Savage|PNC|Ruby Frost|Freddie Gibbs|Buckshot|Kid Daytona|Tayyib Ali|Aaradhna|Fire & Ice|Oddisee}} | website = {{URL|daviddallas.com}} }}
'''David Dallas''' is a New Zealand rapper and songwriter from Papatoetoe, Auckland. Of Samoan and New Zealand European descent, he first performed under the name '''Con Psy''' as one half of the hip-hop duo Frontline, before releasing solo music under his own name from 2008.<ref name="AudioCulture">{{cite web |last=Pepperell |first=Martyn |title=David Dallas |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/david-dallas |website=AudioCulture |date=28 April 2013 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="NZOnScreen">{{cite web |title=David Dallas |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/music-artists/david-dallas/ |website=NZ On Screen |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
Dallas first gained wider attention through Frontline and his appearance on Scribe's commercially successful "Not Many – The Remix!" / "Stand Up", alongside Savage and P-Money. The single reached number two in New Zealand and number 21 in Australia, where it was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.<ref name="NZOnScreenNotMany">{{cite web |title=Not Many (remix) |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/all-music-videos/not-many-remix-2004/ |website=NZ On Screen |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="NotManyNZ">{{cite web |title=Scribe - Stand Up / Not Many |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?cat=s&interpret=Scribe&titel=Stand+Up+%2F+Not+Many |website=charts.nz |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="NotManyAUS">{{cite web |title=Not Many (The Remix) / Stand Up by Scribe |url=https://acharts.co/song/2459 |website=acharts.co |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ARIA2004">{{cite web |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Singles |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2004/singles-accreditations |website=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
His solo releases include the EPs ''Something Now'' (2008), ''Buffalo Man'' (2012) and ''Vita'' (2024), and the albums ''Something Awesome'' (2009), ''The Rose Tint'' (2011), ''Falling into Place'' (2013) and ''Hood Country Club'' (2017).<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="SomethingNow">{{cite web |title=Something Now by David Dallas |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0O9h37BoNtwqh9mK0rwrGJ |website=Spotify |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="VitaBandcamp">{{cite web |title=VITA by David Dallas |url=https://daviddallas.bandcamp.com/album/vita |website=Bandcamp |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
His 2013 single "Runnin'" reached number seven on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number one on the Aotearoa Singles Chart, and became one of his most widely recognised songs internationally through use in sports media, video games, film and streaming.<ref name="RunninChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Singles: 15 November 2013 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2013-11-15 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="RunninAotearoa">{{cite web |title=Official Top 20 Aotearoa Singles: 1 November 2013 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-singles/2013-11-01 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="BillboardPremiere">{{cite web |last=Gubbels |first=Jason |title=David Dallas, 'Falling Into Place': Exclusive Album Premiere |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/david-dallas-falling-into-place-exclusive-album-premiere-5763137/ |website=Billboard |date=21 October 2013 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
Dallas has won multiple New Zealand and Pacific music awards, including Best Urban / Hip Hop Album at the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards for ''Something Awesome'', Best Male Solo Artist and Best Urban / Hip Hop Album at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards for ''Falling into Place'', and Best Hip Hop Artist at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards for ''Vita''.<ref name="AMA2010">{{cite web |title=2010 Winners |url=https://aotearoamusicawards.co.nz/archive?artist=&award=&year=2010 |website=Aotearoa Music Awards |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="AMA2014">{{cite web |title=2014 Winners |url=https://aotearoamusicawards.co.nz/archive?artist=&award=&year=2014 |website=Aotearoa Music Awards |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="AMA2025">{{cite web |title=Aotearoa Music Awards reveal 2025 Tūī winners |url=https://www.muzic.nz/news/aotearoa-music-awards-reveal-2025-tui-winners/ |website=Muzic.NZ |date=30 May 2025 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> He also created and curated the Red Bull 64 Bars platform, which became an important showcase for emerging New Zealand rappers.<ref name="Spinoff64">{{cite web |last=Moses |first=Hussein |title=A rap rite of passage: in the studio with Red Bull 64 Bars |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/red-bull/18-06-2019/a-rap-rite-of-passage-in-the-studio-with-red-bull-64-bars |website=The Spinoff |date=18 June 2019 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
==Early life and background== Dallas was born in Papatoetoe, Auckland, and is of Samoan and New Zealand European heritage.<ref name="NZOnScreen" /><ref name="AudioCulture" /> He grew up in South Auckland and developed an early interest in hip hop through his older brother, who played hip-hop music around the house.<ref name="UoA">{{cite web |title=David Dallas |url=https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/alumni/our-alumni/40-under-40/a-z-list-of-profiles/david-dallas.html |website=University of Auckland |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
Dallas studied computer science at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2003.<ref name="UoA" /> He later credited university with helping him develop discipline and perseverance, while also noting that his interest in computers, online music communities and home recording software helped lead him into music-making.<ref name="UoA" /><ref name="AudioCultureQA">{{cite web |last=Bisley |first=Alexander |title=Q&A with David Dallas |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/q-a-with-david-dallas |website=AudioCulture |date=19 August 2015 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> In 2003, he won the Auckland MC Battle for Supremacy as an unknown performer.<ref name="UoA" />
==Career==
===2001–2006: Frontline and Con Psy=== Dallas formed Frontline in 2001 with producer and DJ Nick "41" Maclaren. At the time, Dallas performed under the name Con Psy.<ref name="FrontlineAudioCulture">{{cite web |last=Pepperell |first=Martyn |title=Frontline |url=https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/frontline |website=AudioCulture |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> Frontline released the independent street album ''What You Expect?'', which sold more than 1,200 copies without formal distribution before the duo signed with Dirty Records.<ref name="FrontlineAudioCulture" />
In 2003, Dallas appeared as Con Psy on Scribe's "Not Many – The Remix!" / "Stand Up", alongside Savage and P-Money.<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="NZOnScreenNotMany" /> The single reached number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 21 on the Australian Singles Chart, and was certified gold in Australia.<ref name="NotManyNZ" /><ref name="NotManyAUS" /><ref name="ARIA2004" /> The remix became one of the key releases of New Zealand hip hop's early-2000s mainstream breakthrough.<ref name="NZOnScreenNotMany" />
Frontline released the album ''Borrowed Time'' in 2005. The album reached number 27 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.<ref name="BorrowedTimeChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Albums: 4 November 2005 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2005-11-04 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> Its singles included "Breathe with Me", which reached number 16 in New Zealand, and "Lost in Translation", which reached number 22.<ref name="BreatheChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Singles: 9 September 2005 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2005-09-09 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="LostTranslationChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Singles: 14 July 2006 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2006-07-14 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> ''Borrowed Time'' won Best Urban / Hip Hop Album at the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards.<ref name="Muzic2006">{{cite web |title=2006 NZ Music Award Winners |url=https://www.muzic.nz/news/2006-nz-music-award-winners/ |website=Muzic.NZ |date=19 October 2006 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
===2008–2010: Solo debut and ''Something Awesome''=== Dallas began recording and performing under his given name in 2008.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> His debut solo EP, ''Something Now'', was released in 2008 through Dirty Records.<ref name="SomethingNow" /> His debut solo album, ''Something Awesome'', followed in 2009 and reached number 20 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.<ref name="SomethingAwesomeChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Albums: 4 September 2009 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2009-09-04 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> AudioCulture reported that the album also reached number one on the New Zealand iTunes album chart.<ref name="AudioCulture" />
''Something Awesome'' won Best Urban / Hip Hop Album at the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards and was shortlisted for the inaugural Taite Music Prize.<ref name="AMA2010" /><ref name="Taite2010">{{cite web |title=Taite Music Prize finalists announced |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/utr/more/NID/1932/Taite-Music-Prize-Finalists-Announced-.utr |website=Under the Radar |date=25 March 2010 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> In 2010, Kanye West posted the music video for Dallas's song "Big Time" on his website, helping bring Dallas to a wider international hip-hop audience.<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="AudioCultureQA" /> Later that year, Dallas signed with New York hip-hop label Duck Down Music in partnership with Dawn Raid Entertainment and Dirty Management.<ref name="DuckDownDeal">{{cite web |title=David Dallas partners with American hip hop label Duck Down |url=https://www.muzic.nz/news/david-dallas-partners-with-american-hip-hop-label-duck-down/ |website=Muzic.NZ |date=1 December 2010 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
===2010–2012: United States activity, Duck Down and ''The Rose Tint''=== Dallas's first United States visit was in 2010, when he performed at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> Around this period, his music attracted attention from American hip-hop blogs, including Kanye West's website, which posted the music video for "Big Time".<ref name="AudioCulture" /> After signing with New York label Duck Down Music, Dallas divided his time between Auckland and New York City.<ref name="AudioCulture" />
Dallas released ''The Rose Tint'' in 2011 as a free download. The album was downloaded more than 50,000 times before receiving a deluxe commercial release in New Zealand, Australia and North America.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> It reached number three on the New Zealand Albums Chart.<ref name="RoseTintChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Albums: 2 December 2011 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2011-12-02 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> UnderTheRadar reported that the album received more than 8,000 downloads within its first 24 hours of release.<ref name="UTRRoseTint">{{cite web |title=David Dallas The Rose Tint Album Release Shows |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/utr/more/NID/3461/David-Dallas-The-Rose-Tint-Album-Release-Shows.utr |website=Under the Radar |date=13 May 2011 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
During the ''Rose Tint'' period, Dallas was based in New York City and worked to build a United States audience.<ref name="UTRRoseTint" /> The album included collaborations with American rappers Freddie Gibbs on "Caught in a Daze", Buckshot on "Ain't Coming Down", and Kid Daytona and Tayyib Ali on "Feel Like Oasis".<ref name="RoseTintBandcamp">{{cite web |title=The Rose Tint by David Dallas |url=https://daviddallas.bandcamp.com/album/the-rose-tint |website=Bandcamp |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> AudioCulture noted that "Caught in a Daze" helped boost Dallas's stateside profile and that its video contrasted Gibbs's home life in Los Angeles with Dallas in South Auckland.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> The video for "Life Is..." was shot in New York while Dallas was living there.<ref name="UTRRoseTint" />
Dallas also received coverage from United States hip-hop media during this period. UnderTheRadar reported that he had been covered by sites including NahRight, 2DopeBoyz, ''XXL'', ''The Source'' and ThisIs50, and that he had been voted MTV Iggy's Artist of the Week in an MTV U.S. online poll.<ref name="UTRRoseTint" /> The same source reported that his "Big Time" video had been added to rotation across MTV networks in the United States.<ref name="UTRRoseTint" /> ''XXL'' reviewed ''The Rose Tint'' in June 2011, describing the album as an overseas expansion for Dallas after the New Zealand success of ''Something Awesome'' and highlighting "Caught in a Daze" with Freddie Gibbs as an album standout.<ref name="XXLRoseTint">{{cite web |last=Martinez-Belkin |first=Neil |title=David Dallas, The Rose Tint |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/david-dallas-the-rose-tint/ |website=XXL |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
In 2011, Dallas recorded and performed "So Close Now", the entrance theme for the American Samoan WWE tag team The Usos.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> In 2012, he released ''Buffalo Man'', an EP built around songs inspired by, sampled from or interpolating Jamiroquai's catalogue.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> In September and October 2012, he toured the United States opening for American duo Aer.<ref name="AudioCulture" /> A 2016 ''Vice'' profile of P-Money described Dallas's United States period as including videos filmed in Los Angeles and New York, spot dates alongside Just Blaze and Pharoahe Monch, and work on the American media circuit; it also stated that "Caught in a Daze" appeared in the new artist section of BET's ''106 & Park''.<ref name="VicePMoney">{{cite web |last=Pepperell |first=Martyn |title=We Go Deep With New Zealand Hip-Hop Legend P-Money |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/we-go-deep-with-new-zealand-hip-hop-legend-p-money/ |website=Vice |date=21 November 2016 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
In 2021, Dallas marked the tenth anniversary of ''The Rose Tint'' with a limited vinyl pressing and a four-date New Zealand anniversary tour with his band The Daylight Robbery.<ref name="RoseTintTour">{{cite web |title=David Dallas Announces 'The Rose Tint' Anniversary Tour & Vinyl Reissue |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/18616/David-Dallas-Announces-The-Rose-Tint-Anniversary-Tour--Vinyl-Reissue.utr |website=Under the Radar |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
===2013–2016: ''Falling into Place'', "Runnin'" and international visibility=== Dallas released his third solo album, ''Falling into Place'', in 2013. The album reached number two on the New Zealand Albums Chart.<ref name="FallingChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Albums: 25 October 2013 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2013-10-25 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The album was released through Dawn Raid Entertainment, Dirty Records and Duck Down Music, and Billboard described it as Dallas's first conventional retail release in the United States.<ref name="BillboardPremiere" /> It featured production from Fire & Ice and 41 and guest appearances from artists including Freddie Gibbs, Sid Diamond, Ruby Frost, PNC, Mareko, Spycc and Rokske.<ref name="AllAussieFIP">{{cite web |title=Out Now: David Dallas – Falling Into Place |url=https://allaussiehiphop.com/2013/10/24/out-now-david-dallas-falling-into-place/ |website=allaussiehiphop.com |date=24 October 2013 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
The album's lead single, "Runnin'", reached number seven on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number one on the Aotearoa Singles Chart.<ref name="RunninChart" /><ref name="RunninAotearoa" /> It was later described by ''NZ Musician'' as a platinum-selling single.<ref name="NZMusicianHood">{{cite web |title=David Dallas: Under The Hood |url=https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/david-dallas-hood-country-club/ |website=NZ Musician |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The follow-up single "The Wire", featuring Ruby Frost, reached number 11 in New Zealand and number one on the Aotearoa Singles Chart, and was described by ''NZ Musician'' as a gold-charting follow-up.<ref name="TheWireChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Singles: 31 January 2014 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2014-01-31 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="TheWireAotearoa">{{cite web |title=Official Top 20 Aotearoa Singles: 18 April 2014 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-singles/2014-04-18 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="NZMusicianHood" />
"Runnin'" became Dallas's most internationally visible track. ''Billboard'' reported in 2013 that the song had been used on ESPN's ''Monday Night Football'', in the trailer for ''Madden NFL 25'', on the ''FIFA 14'' soundtrack and in Major League Baseball coverage.<ref name="BillboardPremiere" /> In February 2014, ''Billboard'' included Dallas in a list of New Zealand artists who could make a "Lorde-like leap" internationally.<ref name="BillboardLordeLeap">{{cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |title=Happy New Zealand Day! 10 NZ Artists Who Could Make A Lorde-Like Leap |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/happy-new-zealand-day-10-nz-artists-who-could-make-a-lorde-like-5900930/ |website=Billboard |date=6 February 2014 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="NZOnScreen" /> The song later appeared in the 2022 Netflix film ''Hustle'', after which it re-entered the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart at number 20.<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="RunninHot2022">{{cite web |title=Hot 40 Singles: 17 June 2022 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2022-06-17 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
At the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards, Dallas won Best Male Solo Artist and Best Urban / Hip Hop Album for ''Falling into Place''.<ref name="AMA2014" /><ref name="Elsewhere2014">{{cite web |title=New Zealand Music Awards 2014: You come a long way baby |url=https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/somethingelsewhere/6650/new-zealand-music-awards-2014-you-come-a-long-way-baby/ |website=Elsewhere |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> At the 2014 Pacific Music Awards, he won Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Urban Artist, and "Runnin'" received the NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award.<ref name="PMA2014">{{cite web |title=David Dallas Tops the Pacific Music Awards |url=https://www.muzic.nz/news/david-dallas-tops-the-pacific-music-awards/ |website=Muzic.NZ |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
In February 2014, Dallas performed on the Auckland date of Eminem's Rapture tour at Western Springs Stadium.<ref name="RaptureUTR">{{cite web |title=Eminem Announces First New Zealand Show |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/7342/Eminem-Announces-First-New-Zealand-Show.utr |website=Under the Radar |date=21 October 2013 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
===2015–present: 64 Bars and curatorial work=== In 2015, Dallas created and curated Red Bull 64 Bars with Red Bull Music Studios Auckland.<ref name="Spinoff64" /> The series asks rappers to perform 64-bar verses without conventional song structures such as hooks, and became a showcase for emerging and established New Zealand hip-hop artists.<ref name="Spinoff64" /> ''The Spinoff'' described the series as a local rite of passage for underground New Zealand rappers, noting that it had helped expose artists including JessB, MELODOWNZ, Raiza Biza and SWIDT's INF to wider audiences.<ref name="Spinoff64" />
The project expanded beyond New Zealand, including a Tokyo edition in 2018.<ref name="RedBullTokyo">{{cite web |title=64 Bars to Tokyo |url=https://www.redbull.com/nz-en/david-dallas-and-red-bull-music-studios-auckland-take-64-bars-series-to-tokyo |website=Red Bull |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> In 2019, Red Bull Music presented 64 Bars Live in Auckland, curated by Dallas and featuring artists from the series.<ref name="EightOneEight64">{{cite web |title=Red Bull Music presents 64 Bars Live, curated by David Dallas |url=https://818.co.nz/news/2019/1/21/red-bull-music-presents-64-bars-live-curated-by-david-dallas |website=818 |date=21 January 2019 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
===2017–2023: ''Hood Country Club'' and later singles=== Dallas released ''Hood Country Club'' in 2017. The album reached number 10 on the New Zealand Albums Chart and number four on the New Zealand Artists Albums Chart.<ref name="HoodChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Albums: 28 April 2017 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2017-04-28 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="HoodAotearoaChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 20 NZ Albums: 7 July 2017 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-albums/2017-07-07 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The album included the singles "Fit In", "Probably" and "This Is It".<ref name="NZMusicianHood" /> ''NZ Musician'' described ''Hood Country Club'' as an album that widened Dallas's subject matter, touching on politics, cultural identity, authenticity and personal experience.<ref name="NZMusicianHood" />
In 2017, ''Hood Country Club'' was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Hip Hop Artist at the New Zealand Music Awards, while "Fit In" was nominated for Single of the Year.<ref name="NZMA2017">{{cite web |title=Finalists Announced For 2017 New Zealand Music Awards |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/13287/Finalists-Announced-For-2017-New-Zealand-Music-Awards.utr |website=Under the Radar |date=5 October 2017 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> In 2020 and 2021, Dallas released standalone tracks including "Training Montage" and "42 Below".<ref name="TrainingMontage">{{cite web |title=Training Montage |url=https://daviddallas.bandcamp.com/track/training-montage |website=Bandcamp |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="AppleDavidDallas">{{cite web |title=David Dallas |url=https://music.apple.com/nz/artist/david-dallas/262871959 |website=Apple Music |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> "42 Below" reached number two on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles chart in 2021.<ref name="FortyTwoBelow">{{cite web |title=Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles: 22 January 2021 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-aotearoa-singles/2021-01-22 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
===2024–present: ''Vita''=== Dallas released the EP ''Vita'' in 2024. The title is an abbreviation of his Samoan name Tavita.<ref name="PacificVita">{{cite web |title=David Dallas |url=https://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/finalists-2025/david-dallas |website=Pacific Music Awards |date=1 July 2025 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> Pacific Music Awards material described the project as a return home, written while Dallas was based back in the South Auckland house where he grew up following the death of his brother.<ref name="PacificVita" /> The project was produced by 41, Dallas's former Frontline collaborator.<ref name="VitaBandcamp" /><ref name="PacificVita" />
''Vita'' reached number 23 on the New Zealand Albums Chart and number six on the New Zealand Artists Albums Chart.<ref name="VitaChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Albums: 20 December 2024 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2024-12-20 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="VitaAotearoaChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums: 29 March 2024 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-albums/2024-03-29 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The single "All Gas" reached number 14 on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles chart.<ref name="AllGasChart">{{cite web |title=Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles: 15 March 2024 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-aotearoa-singles/2024-03-15 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
In December 2024, Dallas toured the project in New Zealand on the ''Fafo: Vita'' tour with PNC.<ref name="FafoTour">{{cite web |title=David Dallas {{!}} Fafo - Vita Tour Ft. PNC |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/93523/David-Dallas--Fafo---Vita-Tour-Ft-Pnc.utr |website=Under the Radar |date=14 December 2024 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> At the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, he won Best Hip Hop Artist for ''Vita''.<ref name="AMA2025" /> He was also nominated for Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist at the 2025 Pacific Music Awards.<ref name="PacificVita" />
In 2025, Dallas and American rapper Oddisee released "Midas", which reached number five on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles chart.<ref name="MidasChart">{{cite web |title=Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles: 21 November 2025 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-aotearoa-singles/2025-11-21 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref>
==Artistry and themes== Dallas's music is rooted in hip hop and often reflects South Auckland life, cultural identity, ambition, self-doubt, family, sport and the pressure of success.<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="NZMusicianHood" /> His early career with Frontline placed him within the Dirty Records and early-2000s New Zealand hip-hop movement, while his solo career expanded into international collaborations through Duck Down Music and United States recording sessions.<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="DuckDownDeal" />
In a 2015 AudioCulture interview, Dallas described early home recording, hip-hop forums and online music communities as crucial to how he began making music.<ref name="AudioCultureQA" /> He also discussed the emotional weight of songs such as "Southside" and the importance of writing material that reflected his own experience.<ref name="AudioCultureQA" /> ''NZ Musician'' later described ''Hood Country Club'' as expanding his writing into questions of authenticity, identity and social pressure.<ref name="NZMusicianHood" />
==Legacy and influence== Dallas is regarded as one of the major figures in modern New Zealand hip hop, first through Frontline and the Dirty Records era, then through solo albums including ''The Rose Tint'' and ''Falling into Place''.<ref name="AudioCulture" /><ref name="NZOnScreen" /> ''The Spinoff'' described 64 Bars as a platform that helped expose a generation of New Zealand rappers to larger audiences, with Dallas acting as curator and mentor within the format.<ref name="Spinoff64" />
Dallas's United States period also formed part of a wider internet-era push for New Zealand hip hop overseas. A 2016 ''Vice'' profile of P-Money described Dallas, P-Money, Fire & Ice and others as using online hip-hop networks, American media appearances, United States collaborations and touring to reach audiences outside New Zealand.<ref name="VicePMoney" />
==Discography==
===With Frontline=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Albums with Frontline ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Details ! scope="col" | Peak chart position |- ! scope="col" | NZ |- ! scope="row" | ''What You Expect?'' | * Released: 2001 * Label: Independent * Format: CD | — |- ! scope="row" | ''Borrowed Time'' | * Released: 2005 * Label: Dirty Records * Format: CD, digital | 27<ref name="BorrowedTimeChart" /> |}
===Solo albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Solo albums, with selected chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Details ! scope="col" | Peak chart position |- ! scope="col" | NZ |- ! scope="row" | ''Something Awesome'' | * Released: 2009 * Label: Dirty Records / Dawn Raid Entertainment * Format: CD, digital | 20<ref name="SomethingAwesomeChart" /> |- ! scope="row" | ''The Rose Tint'' | * Released: 2011 * Label: Dirty Records / Dawn Raid Entertainment / Duck Down Music * Format: CD, digital, LP | 3<ref name="RoseTintChart" /> |- ! scope="row" | ''Falling into Place'' | * Released: 2013 * Label: Dirty Records / Dawn Raid Entertainment / Duck Down Music * Format: CD, digital | 2<ref name="FallingChart" /> |- ! scope="row" | ''Hood Country Club'' | * Released: 2017 * Label: Mean As Music * Format: CD, digital | 10<ref name="HoodChart" /> |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Extended plays, with selected chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Details ! scope="col" | Peak chart position |- ! scope="col" | NZ |- ! scope="row" | ''Something Now'' | * Released: 2008 * Label: Dirty Records * Format: Digital | — |- ! scope="row" | ''Buffalo Man'' | * Released: 2012 * Label: Dirty Records / Dawn Raid Entertainment / Duck Down Music * Format: Digital | — |- ! scope="row" | ''Vita'' | * Released: 2024 * Label: Hobby * Format: Digital, streaming, LP | 23<ref name="VitaChart" /> |}
===Remix and other projects=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Details ! scope="col" | Ref. |- ! scope="row" | ''Purple Tinted'' | 2012 | Remix project with 41 based on material from ''The Rose Tint''. | <ref name="PurpleTinted">{{cite web |title=Purple Tinted |url=https://fortyone.bandcamp.com/album/purple-tinted |website=Bandcamp |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Loosies'' | 2021 | Collection of standalone tracks released by Dallas. | <ref name="AppleDavidDallas" /> |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Selected singles and chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Year ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Artist credit ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Certifications ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Album / project |- ! scope="col" | NZ ! scope="col" | NZ<br />Aotearoa |- | 2005 ! scope="row" | "Breathe with Me" | Frontline | 16<ref name="BreatheChart" /> | — | — | rowspan="2" | ''Borrowed Time'' |- | 2006 ! scope="row" | "Lost in Translation" | Frontline | 22<ref name="LostTranslationChart" /> | — | — |- | 2009 ! scope="row" | "Indulge Me" | David Dallas featuring Devolo | 34<ref name="IndulgeMeChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 40 Singles: 1 May 2009 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2009-05-01 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> | — | — | ''Something Awesome'' |- | 2013 ! scope="row" | "Don't Want the World" | David Dallas | — | 11<ref name="DontWantWorld">{{cite web |title=Official Top 20 Aotearoa Singles: 12 April 2013 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-singles/2013-04-12 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> | — | ''Buffalo Man'' |- | 2013 ! scope="row" | "Runnin'" | David Dallas | 7<ref name="RunninChart" /> | 1<ref name="RunninAotearoa" /> | NZ: Platinum<ref name="NZMusicianHood" /> | rowspan="2" | ''Falling into Place'' |- | 2013 ! scope="row" | "The Wire" | David Dallas featuring Ruby Frost | 11<ref name="TheWireChart" /> | 1<ref name="TheWireAotearoa" /> | NZ: Gold<ref name="NZMusicianHood" /> |- | 2017 ! scope="row" | "Probably" | David Dallas | — | 15<ref name="ProbablyChart">{{cite web |title=Official Top 20 Aotearoa Singles: 28 April 2017 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-singles/2017-04-28 |website=Official Aotearoa Music Charts |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> | — | rowspan="2" | ''Hood Country Club'' |- | 2017 ! scope="row" | "Fit In" | David Dallas | — | — | — |- | 2020 ! scope="row" | "Training Montage" | David Dallas | — | — | — | rowspan="2" | ''Loosies'' |- | 2021 ! scope="row" | "42 Below" | David Dallas | — | — | — |- | 2024 ! scope="row" | "All Gas" | David Dallas | — | — | — | ''Vita'' |- | 2025 ! scope="row" | "Midas" | David Dallas and Oddisee | — | — | — | Non-album single |}
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart, was not released in that territory, or for which no reliable chart source has been identified.
==Awards and recognition== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" | Ref. |- | 2006 | New Zealand Music Awards – Best Urban / Hip Hop Album | ''Borrowed Time'' {{small|with Frontline}} | Won | <ref name="Muzic2006" /> |- | 2010 | New Zealand Music Awards – Best Urban / Hip Hop Album | ''Something Awesome'' | Won | <ref name="AMA2010" /> |- | 2010 | Taite Music Prize | ''Something Awesome'' | Shortlisted | <ref name="Taite2010" /> |- | 2011 | New Zealand Music Awards – Album of the Year | ''The Rose Tint'' | Nominated | <ref name="AudioCulture" /> |- | 2011 | New Zealand Music Awards – Best Urban / Hip Hop Album | ''The Rose Tint'' | Nominated | <ref name="AudioCulture" /> |- | 2012 | Taite Music Prize | ''The Rose Tint'' | Shortlisted | <ref name="Taite2012">{{cite web |title=Taite Music Prize 2012 finalists announced |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/utr/more/NID/4887/Taite-Music-Prize-2012-Finalists-Announced.utr |website=Under the Radar |date=7 March 2012 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> |- | 2012 | Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Male Artist | ''The Rose Tint'' | Won | <ref name="PMA2012">{{cite web |title=2012 Pacific Music Awards winners announced |url=https://www.pacificmusicawards.org.nz/news/2012-pacific-music-awards-winners-announced |website=Pacific Music Awards |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> |- | 2014 | Taite Music Prize | ''Falling into Place'' | Finalist | <ref name="Taite2014">{{cite web |title=The Taite Music Prize – announcing the finalists |url=https://www.muzic.nz/news/the-taite-music-prize-announcing-the-finalists/ |website=Muzic.NZ |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> |- | 2014 | New Zealand Music Awards – Best Male Solo Artist | ''Falling into Place'' | Won | <ref name="AMA2014" /><ref name="Elsewhere2014" /> |- | 2014 | New Zealand Music Awards – Best Urban / Hip Hop Album | ''Falling into Place'' | Won | <ref name="AMA2014" /><ref name="Elsewhere2014" /> |- | 2014 | Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Male Artist | ''Falling into Place'' | Won | <ref name="PMA2014" /> |- | 2014 | Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Urban Artist | ''Falling into Place'' | Won | <ref name="PMA2014" /> |- | 2014 | Pacific Music Awards – NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award | "Runnin'" | Won | <ref name="PMA2014" /> |- | 2017 | New Zealand Music Awards – Album of the Year | ''Hood Country Club'' | Nominated | <ref name="NZMA2017" /> |- | 2017 | New Zealand Music Awards – Best Hip Hop Artist | ''Hood Country Club'' | Nominated | <ref name="NZMA2017" /> |- | 2017 | New Zealand Music Awards – Single of the Year | "Fit In" | Nominated | <ref name="NZMA2017" /> |- | 2025 | Aotearoa Music Awards – Best Hip Hop Artist | ''Vita'' | Won | <ref name="AMA2025" /> |- | 2025 | Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist | ''Vita'' | Nominated | <ref name="PacificVita" /> |}
==See also== * New Zealand hip hop * Scribe (rapper) * P-Money * Dirty Records * Dawn Raid Entertainment * Duck Down Music
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.daviddallas.com}} * [https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/david-dallas David Dallas] at AudioCulture * [https://www.nzonscreen.com/music-artists/david-dallas/ David Dallas] at NZ On Screen * [https://www.discogs.com/artist/514989-David-Dallas David Dallas discography] at Discogs * [https://daviddallas.bandcamp.com/ David Dallas] at Bandcamp
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dallas, David}} Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:New Zealand rappers Category:New Zealand male rappers Category:New Zealand songwriters Category:Musicians from Auckland Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent Category:New Zealand people of European descent Category:University of Auckland alumni