Felipe Rose

(Asbury Park, NJ)  There are few entertainers who have enjoyed a successful 40+ year

 Career  in the entertainment industry.  Felipe Rose is one of them.

 From performing ballet on stage at Lincoln Center ‘Alice Tally Hall in NYC to co-founding one of the most successful Disco Groups of all-time in 1977 (The Village People), with French producer

Jacques Morali, and lead singer and song writer, Victor Willis. 

 In January of 1977 Felipe’s Native American Image and sound of sleigh bells around his ankles inspired record producers; the late Jacques Morali and the late Henri Belolo to form a group consisting of American Male stereotypes; a Native American, a Cowboy, Construction Worker, Military Man, Biker (Leatherman) and a Police Officer.

 Felipe’s Native heritage is trace to his Father, who was relocated to NYC by trade as a wielder, during the Indian Relocation Act of 1950’s, it was his Puerto Rican/Italian mother who met and fell in love with the beautiful Native wielder and thus Felipe was born from this unlikely match. 

At an early age Felipe developed a love for the arts, inspired by his late Puerto Rican mother, a professional dancer at the famed Copa Cabana Nightclub in NYC.

In his teens and early 20’s Felipe began performing dance and ballet with the renowned ‘Ballet de Puerto Rico’ under the guidance of Pasqual Guzman. Having been raised in one of the poorest and toughest cities in Brownsville, NY (Brooklyn).  Felipe has never stopped championing for the rights of those in need.  His social justice work is a much a part of who he is as is his music.  Whether he’s devoting time & financial resources to Native American Causes, Gay Rights or speaking our for equality, Felipe won’t stand idle while others hurt.

The Village People, as they would be known, have sold over 100 million records world-wide with hits including; San Francisco/Hollywood, Macho Man, YMCA, In The Navy, Go West, Hot Cop and Key West and Can’t Stop The Music.  In March of 2020 YMCA, was added to the US Library of Congress/National Recording Registry. 

As an actor Felipe has appeared in 2 movies musical; Tu Me Tien Por La Barbachette a French comedy in in 1980’s Can’t Stop The Music produced by Allan Carr, now considered a cult classic!

Rose has appeared on numerous television shows including’ The Love Boat, Married with Children, Family Feud, Down Periscope, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and Dick Clark’s Rocking New Years Eve, Tim Conway, Midnight Special, Good Morning America, Soul Train and countless television shows around the world and various world tours in Europe, South American, South East Asia and Australia, 39 times. In 2008 Felipe Rose (and the Village People) received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a month later Felipe was inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame for his musical contribution to Native Music with his own solo recordings, not only is he a Hall of Famer, he also is a 4 time Native American Music Award winner. 

Felipe is a singer/songwriter, actor, dancer culinary enthusiast and visual artist and an ordained minister, who continues to embrace his history as a openly gay man, a two spirited shadow walker and involved in Native affairs around the country while remaining contemporary.

In 2017, Felipe decided to leave Village People after 4 decades, after a long legal dispute over the Name, Brand and the hostile takeover of the group that was so dear to his life.

Taking all of his experience and professional experience Felipe took a deep breath and went solo! In 2018 Felipe released a cover of the popular Disco Song “Going Back To My Roots” with 3 other Nammy-winning artist thus taking home his fifth Native American Music Award (Nammy).

In 2019 Felipe participated in the 50th anniversary of World Pride in NYC as a guest of God’s Love WE Deliver an organization that cooks and home delivers nutritious, medically tailored meals for people too sick to shop or

During the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020, Felipe devoted time while in lockdown his energy in participating in several ‘virtual fundraisers for several non-for-profit organizations as well as recording social media messages encouraging the wearing of masks.

In June of 2021, Felipe recorded released his latest single “Dance Again”, a song of hope!

Felipe continues to create content for social media platforms and launched his own podcast called “The Disco Chronicles”, interviewing radio dj’s, and Producers, and Disco artists and club influencers of the Disco Era getting their retrospect of what it was like to live and party in the many clubs of the Disco Era, such as Studio 54 in NYC, Studio One in Los Angeles and chronicling the memories of joy abandonment and dancing into the early hours of the morning.   

Felipe Rose is a Disco Icon who still strives to develop and explore new avenues for his art and passions, and more importantly, advises new artists who are making their mark in the music industry.   Now, in 2022, Felipe collaborated with Brazilian singer Robert Trevisan and Gospel Singer Tracy Shay in their new offering “PEACE FOR UKRAINE”.  While it is extremely difficult to comprehend the direct impact of this war in 2022, the one thing that artists such as Felipe and Roberto Trevisan, and Tracy Shay is to sing out to the world about the horrific war in Ukraine and the impact that it's having on the European countries who are also living on the edge of their seats.  “It’s the power of music that brings people together and heals the world”, while bringing attention to the war in Ukraine, with a powerful musical setting.