Dallas Tamaira, occasionally known by the alias Joe Dukie (Ngāti Tūwharetoa; born 26 February 1974), is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being the vocalist for the urban pasifika and dub group Fat Freddy's Drop. A multi-instrumentalist, he mainly plays guitar and keyboard, and is noted for his "handsome, pure tenor" voice. Tamaira is credited with helping bring New Zealand reggae to worldwide prominence.

Early life

Tamaira was born in Christchurch in 1974 to a mixed Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Pākehā family, and grew up in Kaikōura. Upon leaving secondary school, Tamaira joined the Auckland performing arts collective Pacific Underground, before moving to Wellington in the early 1990s.

Career

Tamaira formed the music duo Bongmaster with Chris Faiumu, with whom he formed Fat Freddy's Drop in 1999. The band self-released their breakthrough debut album, Based on a True Story, in 2005. Tamaira was awarded Best Vocalist at the bNet NZ Music Awards the same year. He made the comic strip on the cover and sleeve of Fat Freddy's Drop's EP Hope for a Generation (2004). Tamaira has recently released solo work with producer Devin Abrams.

Discography

Solo (under the name "Dallas")

With Bongmaster (Dallas, Iain Gordon, Mu, Antsmif)

With DJ Fitchie

With Fat Freddy's Drop

See Fat Freddy's Drop discography.

Appearances on other artists' tracks

Personal life

Tamaira's alternative stage name is inspired from his father Joe, also a singer, and his grandfather, a musician nicknamed Dukie after Duke Ellington. Tamaira is Māori. He has stated that style is influenced by Bill Withers.