Dawa Hifi is a unique studio and sound system born in Bourges (France) in 2005. Its music primarily draws inspiration from reggae and dub from the 70s to the present, as well as other militant and meditative styles such as jazz, hip-hop, world music, and more electronic genres.
Originally formed by Val and Ben, respectively a selector/composer and MC, the Dawa Hifi collective expanded with the arrival of Pépère (2013) and Greg (2018) to develop coordination and technical expertise. Their musical selections range from productions from their studio, both recent and older releases, to exclusive tracks collected over the years.
Val has worked on several albums and singles, with the first ones being released in 2006. His productions can be found on various labels such as Blackboard Jungle, Chouette Records, Welders Records, Digipirates, ODG Prod, and Dawa Outernational in self-production.
In 2021, he collaborated with singer Davojah to produce “Better Days,” an EP with broader influences. A new album of mostly dub compositions, Dreams, was released in April 2024.
The current sound system of Dawa Hifi is entirely handmade. The boxes, designed by Greg and crafted by Ben, deliver a true audio massage from head to toe. Installed at various events in France and abroad, they stand out for their clear sound and great stereo image. Over the years, Dawa Hifi has hosted numerous renowned artists and proven itself to be a reliable and powerful sound system.
They organize (in collaboration with the association Le Gros Bazar) the “Outerdub” events in their hometown of Bourges (at Nadir), a laboratory for experimentation and testing new tracks and original lineups. Their musical journey continues, and in 2025, they will celebrate twenty years of activism, always with love and passion.