David Dallas facts for kids

David Keith Dallas (born August 28, 1982), known as David Dallas, is a rapper and songwriter from New Zealand. He has both Samoan and European family roots. David started his music journey using the name Con Psy. He was part of a rap group called Frontline. Later, he decided to use his real name and became a solo artist.

Early Music Days

Forming Frontline

In 2001, David Dallas, then known as Con Psy, met a music producer named Nick "41" MacLaren in Auckland. They decided to form a rap group together called Frontline. They started making music right away.

First Big Hit

In 2003, David (as Con Psy) was featured on a very popular song. It was called "Not Many – The Remix!" by Scribe. Other rappers like Savage and P-Money were also on the track. This song became number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart. It sold so well that it was certified Platinum in New Zealand.

Frontline's Albums

Frontline released their first mixtape, What You Expect?, in 2004. They sold over 1,000 copies even without much advertising. Soon after, Frontline signed with Dirty Records. This is an independent music label based in Auckland.

David also appeared on three songs from P-Money's album Magic City in 2004.

Frontline released their first studio album, Borrowed Time, in October 2005. It reached number 27 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The album later won 'Best Hip-Hop/Urban Album' at the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards.

Touring with Big Stars

Frontline got to open for famous artists on their tours. In February 2006, they supported 50 Cent and his group G-Unit on their New Zealand tour. In March 2006, Frontline and P-Money opened for Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda. Shinoda's side-project band, Fort Minor, was touring Australia and New Zealand.

Solo Career

Becoming David Dallas

In 2007, David decided to change his stage name. He stopped using Con Psy and started using his real name, David Dallas. This marked the beginning of his solo music career.

His first solo project was a mixtape called The Artist Formerly Known As. It had 12 songs and came out in February 2008. He released it through Dirty Records.

David's first solo mini-album, called an EP, was Something Now. It was released in September 2008.

Something Awesome and The Rose Tint

His first solo studio album, Something Awesome, came out in August 2009. It reached number 20 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. This album won 'Best Urban/Hip Hop Album' at the 2010 New Zealand Music Awards. A famous artist, Kanye West, even praised David's song "Big Time."

In late 2010, David Dallas signed a deal with New York City-based record label Duck Down Music. He moved to Harlem, New York, to work on his next album.

His second solo album, The Rose Tint, was released in May 2011 as a free download. It was downloaded over 50,000 times in just six months! Because it was so popular, a special retail version was released later that year. It reached number 3 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The Rose Tint became New Zealand's best-selling hip hop album of 2011.

Music for WWE and Video Games

David Dallas wrote and performed the entrance song for the Samoan WWE wrestling team The Usos. The song is called "So Close Now." It has been streamed over 15 million times.

In September 2012, David released another free EP called Buffalo Man. All the songs on it were inspired by the band Jamiroquai.

Falling into Place Success

David's third studio album, Falling into Place, was released in October 2013. It reached number 2 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.

The main song from the album, "Runnin'", was very successful. It reached number 7 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified Platinum. "Runnin'" was used in the trailer for the video game Madden NFL 25. It was also featured in the soundtrack for FIFA 14. The song even appeared in the 2022 Adam Sandler movie Hustle.

Another popular song from the album was "The Wire", featuring Ruby Frost. It reached number 11 and was certified Gold.

Falling into Place won 'Best Urban/Hip Hop Album' at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards.

More Tours and Awards

In February 2014, David Dallas supported the famous rapper Eminem on his New Zealand tour. At the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards, David received four nominations. He won 'Best Male Artist' and 'Best Urban/Hip Hop Album'.

His fourth studio album, Hood Country Club, was released in April 2017. It reached number 10 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. David received four nominations at the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards for this album.

In May 2021, The Rose Tint album was released on vinyl. David went on a four-date tour in New Zealand to celebrate the album's 10-year anniversary.

David's third EP, Vita, was released in March 2024. It was produced entirely by his former Frontline bandmate, 41. Vita was also released on vinyl later in 2024. David toured New Zealand with PNC in December 2024 to support the EP.

Albums

Mixtapes

EPs

Singles

Awards and Nominations