United States 
Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
2 weeks ago
The Dap-Kings have established themselves as a premier funk and soul band, known for their authentic sound and electrifying live performances, and have contributed to numerous acclaimed projects and recordings.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings were signed to Daptone Records, an independent label that released all of their critically acclaimed albums, including 'Dap Dippin',' 'Naturally,' '100 Days, 100 Nights,' and 'I Learned the Hard Way.' The band effectively served as the label's house band.
The Dap-Kings were notable for their collaborations with Amy Winehouse, particularly their contributions to her Grammy-winning album 'Back to Black,' which gave the project authentic soul roots.
The Dap-Kings collaborated with Mark Ronson on multiple projects, including their contributions to Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' and his own album 'Version' where they played on tracks like 'God Put a Smile upon Your Face' and 'Valerie.'
Prince invited Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings to open for him at his shows in New York City, Paris, and Ghent, and they were also asked to join him on stage for collaborations during his set.
Sharon Jones celebrated her big screen debut in the Denzel Washington film 'The Great Debaters,' where she acted, sang, and recorded the majority of the film's soundtrack.
The band's version of Shuggie Otis's "Inspiration Information" was a favorite on the celebrated 'Dark Was the Night' benefit album.
The Dap-Kings' cover of "This Land Is Your Land" was prominently featured in the Golden Globe and Oscar-winning film 'Up in the Air.'
Ms. Jones and, by extension, The Dap-Kings have hit the studio and stage with artists like David Byrne, including his release 'Here Lies Love.' The Dap-Kings also appear on his album with St. Vincent, 'Love This Giant.'
Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings collaborated with They Might Be Giants.
Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings collaborated with Rufus Wainwright.
Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings collaborated with Lou Reed.
Sharon Jones appeared on 'Saturday Night Live' to perform her duet "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" with Michael Bublé. They also appear on his album 'Crazy Love'.
Legendary soul icon Al Green tapped The Dap-Kings' services for his Grammy-winning Blue Note release, 'Lay It Down.'
Public Enemy producer Hank Shocklee utilized The Dap-Kings for the soundtrack to the feature film 'American Gangster.'
The Dap-Kings are featured on the original version of Ariana Grande's "Honeymoon Avenue" & "Do You Love Me".
The Dap-Kings collaborated with Jurassic 5 on the non-album single "Red Hot" (2005).
The Dap-King Horns were featured on The Heavy's album 'Great Vengeance and Furious Fire' (2007) and 'How Do You Like Me Now EP' (2010).
The Dap-Kings featured on Nas's album 'Untitled Nas album' (2008) on the track "Fried Chicken."
The Dap-Kings featured on Wiley's album 'See Clear Now' (2008) on the track "Cash In My Pocket."
The Dap-Kings featured on The Saturday Knights' album 'Mingle' (2009) on the track "Patches."
The Dap-Kings featured on Wale's album 'Attention Deficit' (2009) on the track "Mama Told Me."
The Dap-Kings featured on Daniel Merriweather's album 'Love & War' (2009) on multiple tracks including "Impossible" and "Change."
The Dap-Kings featured on Jennifer Nettles' album 'That Girl' (2014) on the track "Like a Rock."
The Dap-Kings featured on Mario Biondi's album 'Beyond Special Edition' (2015) on the track "Heart Of Stone."
The Dap-Kings featured on Sturgill Simpson's album 'A Sailor's Guide to Earth' (2016) on multiple tracks including "Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)" and "Keep It Between The Lines."
The Dap-Kings featured on Michael Lington's album 'Second Nature' (2016) on the tracks "Stone Cool" and "Slick."
The Dap-Kings featured on Smokey Robinson's album 'Christmas Everyday' (2017) on the track "You're My Present."
The Dap-Kings Horns featured on Kesha's album 'Rainbow' (2017) on the track "Woman."
The Dap-Kings featured on Elise LeGrow's album 'Playing Chess' (2018) on multiple tracks including "Who Do You Love" and "Hold On."
The Dap-Kings featured on Celine Dion's album 'Courage' (2019) on the track "How Did You Get Here."
The Dap-Kings featured on Jess Glynne's rendition of "This Christmas" (2020).
The Dap-Kings formed around 2000 from various New York-based funk and soul groups. They signed with Daptone Records and began a prolific career, releasing their debut album “Dap Dippin'” in 2002. This marked the beginning of a musical partnership that would see them become a central figure in a soul revivalist movement. The band, often performing with Sharon Jones as Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, gained recognition for their devotion to soul music, capturing the sound of analog eras reminiscent of Motown and Stax Records. Their work led to appearances on national television shows and features in major publications, highlighting their growing influence in the music industry.
Over more than a decade, The Dap-Kings developed a reputation for explosive live performances and hand-crafted studio recordings. Their distinct sound and musicianship quickly attracted attention beyond their own projects. They became sought-after collaborators, contributing to significant albums and performances for a diverse range of artists. These collaborations extended their reach and cemented their status as a versatile and respected band in the funk and soul genres. Their commitment to their sound and craft has allowed them to travel the world, performing at major festivals and venues, and continually expanding their fan base.
The band’s career progression demonstrates consistent artistic and commercial success. Their album “I Learned the Hard Way,” released in 2010, sold significantly in its first week, charting on the Billboard 200 and topping independent and R&B/Hip-Hop album charts. Beyond album sales, their presence at international music festivals and their ability to attract the attention of fellow musicians, producers, and Hollywood executives underscore their impact. The Dap-Kings’ work with various artists and their contributions to film soundtracks and special projects showcase their enduring relevance and influence in contemporary music.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
