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David Keith Dallas (born 28 August, 1982), better known by his stage name David Dallas, is a New Zealand rapper and songwriter of Samoan and European descent. He began his career under the stage name Con Psy, as a part of the rap group Frontline, before changing his stage name to his birth name and pursuing a solo career.

Con Psy/Frontline Days

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Dallas, performing under the name Con Psy, met producer Nick "41" MacLaren in 2001 in Auckland and they formed Frontline, a rapper/producer rap group and began recording material.

In 2003, Dallas, performing as Con Psy, featured on Scribe's popular single, "Not Many – The Remix!", along with Savage and P-Money. It reached #1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and was certified Platinum in New Zealand and Gold in Australia.

Frontline released their debut mixtape, What You Expect? in 2004, which sold over 1,000 copies without any formal broadcasting or distribution. Frontline then signed to Dirty Records, an Auckland-based independent record label founded by P-Money and Callum August.

In 2004, Dallas, as Con Psy, appeared on three tracks from P-Money's second album, Magic City: "Get Up Slow", "Get Back" (featuring Dirty Records labelmate PNC) and "321 Remix" (featuring Skillz and PNC). He also appeared on Breakin Wreckwordz's mixtapes Breakin Wreckwordz Vol 1. and Fuck Music, DJ Sirvere's Major Flavour mixtape series and Louie Knuxx's debut album Wasted Youth.

Frontline released their debut studio album Borrowed Time on 31 October, 2005. It debuted at #27 on the New Zealand Albums Chart and went on to win 'Best Hip-Hop/Urban Album' at the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards.

In February 2006, Frontline supported 50 Cent and G-Unit on their New Zealand Tour. In March 2006, Frontline and P-Money opened for Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and his side-project/band Fort Minor at their Australia and New Zealand tour dates.

Solo career

In 2007, Dallas’ changed his stage name from Con Psy to his birth name, David Dallas, and embarked on a solo career. He released his debut project, a 12 track mixtape titled, The Artist Formerly Known As, on 17 February, 2008, through Dirty Records.

Dallas' debut solo extended play, Something Now, was released on September 13, 2008, through Dirty Records and was supported by the single "Get Out The Way" (Remix) featuring Mr Sicc & Tek from R.E.S.

Dallas' released his debut solo studio album, Something Awesome, on August 31, 2009, debuting at #20 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. Something Awesome won 'Best Urban/Hip Hop Album' at the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards and was shortlisted for the inaugural Taite Music Prize in 2010. The single "Big Time" received a co-sign from Kanye West.

In late 2010, Dallas signed with New York City based record label Duck Down Music in a partnership deal with Dirty Records and Dawn Raid Entertainment, subsequently moving to Harlem, New York to record material for his second album. Dallas released his second solo studio album, The Rose Tint on May 11, 2011, as a free download. It was downloaded more than 50,000 times within the first six months of its release. Due to demand, a retail deluxe edition was released on 14 November, 2011, debuting at #3 on the New Zealand Albums Chart and becoming New Zealand's highest-selling hip hop album of 2011. The Rose Tint was nominated for 3 awards at the 2011 New Zealand Music Awards and also shortlisted for the Taite Music Prize in 2012.

Dallas wrote and performed the entrance song for the Samoan WWE wrestling team The Usos, "So Close Now", which was released on 31 October 2011 via WWE Music Group, accumulating over 15 million streams across streaming platforms to date.

In September 2012, Dallas released his second solo extended play, Buffalo Man, as a free download, with all songs inspired by, sampling or interpolating Jamiroquai.

Dallas' third studio album Falling into Place was released on October 18, 2013, debuting at #2 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The album's lead single, "Runnin'", peaked at #7 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified platinum. "Runnin'" was used in the official release trailer for Madden NFL 25 and also featured in the official soundtrack for FIFA 14. The official remix featuring Jim Jones of the Diplomats was released on 20 December, 2013. It also features in the 2022 Adam Sandler film Hustle. The second single, "The Wire'", featuring Ruby Frost, peaked at #11 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified Gold. The album won 'Best Urban/Hip Hop Album' at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards and was shortlisted for the 2014 Taite Music Prize.

In February 2014, Dallas supported Eminem on the New Zealand leg of his Rapture Tour. Dallas received 4 nominations at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards, winning 'Best Male Artist' and 'Best Urban/Hip Hop Album'.

Dallas' released his fourth studio album, Hood Country Club, on April 21, 2017, debuting at #10 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. Dallas received 4 nominations at the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards, including 'Album of the Year', 'Best Hip Hop Artist' and 'Single of the Year' for lead single 'Fit In'.

In May 2021, The Rose Tint was released on vinyl and Dallas' embarked on a 4 date New Zealand tour in mid-2021 titled '10 Years Deep' to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the album.

Dallas' released his third extended play, Vita, produced entirely by former Frontline member 41, on March 22, 2024. Vita was released on vinyl in late 2024, with Dallas' embarking on a 3 date New Zealand tour titled 'Fafo' with PNC in December 2024 in support of the EP.

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

Remix albums

EPs

Singles

Awards

Notes

1. "Probably" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number six on the NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart.
2. "Training Montage" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 29 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
3. "Runnin'" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.

References

1. "New Zealand Rapper David Dallas Signs To Duck Down Records". Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
2. "Taite Music Prize 2010". IMNZ. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
3. "Taite Music Prize 2012". IMNZ. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
4. "David Dallas reveals strange inspiration for new EP". New Zealand Herald. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
5. "David Dallas featured on Madden Trailer SAS crew".
6. "Concert review: Eminem, Western Springs".
7. ^ "David Dallas in New Zealand Charts". charts.nz. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
8. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
9. "Official Top 40 Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
10. "18 NOVEMBER 2013". Official NZ Music Charts. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
11. "10 FEBRUARY 2014". The Official NZ Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
12. "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
13. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
14. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
15. ^ "Taite Music Prize". Taite Music Prize. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
16. "Awards Archive". www.nzmusicawards.co.nz. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
17. ^ "2011 Winners". NZ Music Awards. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
18. ^ "2012 Finalists & Winners". Pacific Music Awards. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
19. "VNZMA Winners 2012". NZ Music Awards. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
20. ^ "Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 2014 Award Categories". Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.

External links

• Official website
• David Dallas Facebook Page

• 1982 births
• Living people
• New Zealand rappers
• New Zealand people of Samoan descent