What happens when the performance of a person becomes the trademark of a personality? Felipe Rose is he a puzzle? Felipe Rose is best known as the American Indian attired vocalist in the world famous Village People.

Having spent the last 25 years involved in one of the most visible and active groups in pop music, he now brings his energy to Tomahawk Records and The Tomahawk Group, Inc.

Felipe Rose is a native New Yorker, having been raised and brought up in Brooklyn. His Puerto Rican and Native American heritage (Lakota Sioux) is reflected in the clothing that he dons to perform. This is not just a costume but also a signifier of where he comes from and his long association with Native American groups across the country. Felipe has been called a “shadow walker”, a Native term for walking in two worlds.

Throughout his childhood he displayed intense creative interest in the arts. His mother was a source of tremendous encouragement. She was, in fact, a Copa Cabana dancer in the late 1940s and early 50’s, so music and show business were a constant influence in his home life and beyond. Felipe’s talent manifested itself at an early age and by 16 he had secured a scholarship with the Ballet de Puerto Rico, under the supervision of Pasqual Guzman. During his tenure with the Ballet Company, and while performing at New York’s Lincoln Center, a choreographed dance-drama recital of “Julia de Burgos”, the story of the famous Puerto Rican poetess whose life was cut short by committing suicide. The New York Post’s called his performance “Poignant and Compelling.” That review is what got Felipe hooked, and he knew that, it would be his destiny.
To learn more about Felipe’s mother’s cultural island background, please visit Puerto Rico's website. (Please see link below)

Felipe’s native aunt later introduced him to the different influences in dance. “Why not also honor your father’s heritage, and dress in your tribal regalia in your dance journey through culture?”

While dancing at a New York nightclub in his full Native American regalia he was approached by French music producer Jacques Morali. Felipe’s performance that fateful night led to what has become the worldwide phenomenon; that is The Village People. While, the producer’s were busy with the new members of the group, Felipe was sent to Paris, France, were he choreographed a native dance number for the famous “Crazy Horse Saloon". As the group’s founding member, Felipe is much credited with being the inspiration of putting together a group of people all representing types of New York’s Greenwich Village. His keen visual sense and performance experience led to input and direction for the entire concept of the group representing a true sense of tribal ship. Felipe regards the members of the group as his brothers.

The Village People have become and remain a pop culture mainstay of the music scene, touring the world and becoming a family of performers that brings Felipe camaraderie and consistency of life.

Never content to be one thing and rest with the fame, Felipe has brought his talents to other ventures. In the 1980s he sang and danced with the Latin music maestro Tito Puente and starred in a regional theatre production of “West Side Story”.

In 1996 he started what is now the Tomahawk Group, an innovative entertainment company that encompasses song writing and recording development…having developed a production company that handles Village People releases and songs that represent the making of the group’s show. He’s produced various artists; and now he is turning the focus on himself. (Please see the link to Tomahawk Records below)

In the year 2001, Felipe Rose began to work on his first solo endeavor reflecting his experiences and dreams fulfilling a long-standing goal of recording songs that he has written and produced with his longtime composer-arranger, Forrest Lawson of Frostbite Productions. His single “Trail of Tears” was nominated for 3 NAMMYS-Native American Music Awards for Best Historical Recording; Song of the Year; and Best Producer-Forrest Lawson and Tomahawk Records. Felipe was given the honor of opening the 5th Annual Native American Music Awards at the Marcus Amphitheatre in Milwaukee, WI and brought the crowd to its feet! That evening Felipe took home the NAMMY for the 2002 Best Historical Recording.

Felipe’s association with national groups such as Native American College Fund and various AIDS charities throughout New York and beyond makes use of his incredible social personality and his sincere nature of caring for the world’s concerns and giving back some of what has been given to him…a true social powerhouse famous for his much talked about parties. Together with Village People, they flex their muscle and use their position in the entertainment industry, in raising millions of dollars for various charities around the world.

Felipe Rose currently lives in booming Asbury Park along the Jersey Shore. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus, Ltd., the Village People’s corporate entity, an Advisory Board member of the Native American Music Association; and member of LARAS-Latin Grammys and Grammy’s and the Winter Music Conference.