David Dallas

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.

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.

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).

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.

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. He also created and curated the Red Bull 64 Bars platform, which became an important showcase for emerging New Zealand rappers.

Early life and background Dallas was born in Papatoetoe, Auckland, and is of Samoan and New Zealand European heritage.

Dallas studied computer science at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2003. In 2003, he won the Auckland MC Battle for Supremacy as an unknown performer. 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. Its singles included "Breathe with Me", which reached number 16 in New Zealand, and "Lost in Translation", which reached number 22. Borrowed Time won Best Urban / Hip Hop Album at the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards.

2008–2010: Solo debut and Something Awesome Dallas began recording and performing under his given name in 2008. AudioCulture reported that the album also reached number one on the New Zealand iTunes album chart. 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.

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. UnderTheRadar reported that the album received more than 8,000 downloads within its first 24 hours of release.

During the Rose Tint period, Dallas was based in New York City and worked to build a United States audience. 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.

In 2011, Dallas recorded and performed "So Close Now", the entrance theme for the American Samoan WWE tag team The Usos.

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.

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. 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.

The album's lead single, "Runnin'", reached number seven on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number one on the Aotearoa Singles Chart. 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.

At the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards, Dallas won Best Male Solo Artist and Best Urban / Hip Hop Album for Falling into Place. 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.

In February 2014, Dallas performed on the Auckland date of Eminem's Rapture tour at Western Springs Stadium.

2015–present: 64 Bars and curatorial work In 2015, Dallas created and curated Red Bull 64 Bars with Red Bull Music Studios Auckland. In 2019, Red Bull Music presented 64 Bars Live in Auckland, curated by Dallas and featuring artists from the series.

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. The album included the singles "Fit In", "Probably" and "This Is It". In 2020 and 2021, Dallas released standalone tracks including "Training Montage" and "42 Below". "42 Below" reached number two on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles chart in 2021.

2024–present: Vita Dallas released the EP Vita in 2024. The title is an abbreviation of his Samoan name Tavita. 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. The single "All Gas" reached number 14 on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles chart.

In December 2024, Dallas toured the project in New Zealand on the Fafo: Vita tour with PNC. At the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, he won Best Hip Hop Artist for Vita.

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.

2021 Collection of standalone tracks released by Dallas. — — Something Awesome 2013

David Dallas — 11 — Buffalo Man 2013

David Dallas 7 —

2017

David Dallas — — — 2020

David Dallas — — —

2021

David Dallas — — — 2024

David Dallas — — — Vita 2025

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 Year Award Work Result Ref. 2006 New Zealand Music Awards – Best Urban / Hip Hop Album Borrowed Time Won 2012 Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Male Artist The Rose Tint Won 2014 Taite Music Prize Falling into Place Finalist 2014 New Zealand Music Awards – Best Male Solo Artist Falling into Place Won 2014 New Zealand Music Awards – Best Urban / Hip Hop Album Falling into Place Won 2014 Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Male Artist Falling into Place Won 2014 Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Urban Artist Falling into Place Won 2014 Pacific Music Awards – NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award "Runnin'" Won 2017 New Zealand Music Awards – Album of the Year Hood Country Club Nominated 2017 New Zealand Music Awards – Best Hip Hop Artist Hood Country Club Nominated 2017 New Zealand Music Awards – Single of the Year "Fit In" Nominated 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards – Best Hip Hop Artist Vita Won 2025 Pacific Music Awards – Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist Vita Nominated