[Update 6/12/25]: On Sunday, June 29th, the Bay Area music community will come together at San Francisco, CA’s The Independent for GIVE FOR VIV, a benefit concert and silent auction for beloved vocalist Viveca Hawkins (Dumpstaphunk), who suffered a severe stroke in January and has since undergone two life-saving brain surgeries.
Hawkins, the powerhouse vocalist known for her dynamic performances with acts like Dumpstaphunk, The Nth Power, Jazz Mafia, and Kev Choice Ensemble is facing a lengthy rehabilitation process that will keep her off the stage for a significant amount of time. Per a press release, while doctors are encouraged by Hawkins’ spirit and signs of progress, she faces months—if not years, of intensive rehabilitation to regain full speech and motor functions. The benefit concert aims to ensure that she can focus entirely on her recovery without the burden of financial pressure.
Give for Viv will feature an all-star lineup of musicians from the aforementioned groups and beyond. The evening will be MC’d by the Bay Area’s own Rafael Casal and will feature performances by members of Dumpstaphunk, The Nth Power, and Jazz Mafia, a special DJ set by D Sharp—official DJ for the Golden State Warriors—and additional special guests to be announced. The silent auction, hosted digitally here so fans and friends anywhere can get involved, will include signed memorabilia, wine, a private health consultation, private yoga classes, art, gift cards to Bay Area restaurants, and more. View the full list of items available and place a bid here.
“Viveca has been a bright light in our music community for years, lending her magnificent voice to countless projects, events, concerts, recording sessions, and so many spaces,” said Kev Choice. “She has always showed up and shined for us, now it’s time for us to show up and shine for her.”
Purchase tickets to the GIVE FOR VIV benefit concert on Sunday, June 29th at San Francisco, CA’s The Independent here. Enter the silent auction here. Donate to the Viveca Hawkins stroke recovery GoFundMe here. Scroll down to read more about Viveca Hawkins and her ongoing stroke recovery journey.
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[1/28/25]: A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to aid Dumpstaphunk singer Viveca Hawkins after she suffered a stroke earlier this month.
Per the details of the fundraiser, which was launched by singer’s family, the stroke Hawkins suffered on January 14th “has affected her ability to speak, and some of her motor functions. She has undergone 2 life-saving brain surgeries. Over the course of the last two weeks, she has made some progress with movement, is demonstrating she’s present and understands what we are saying, however she is still unable to talk.
“Doctors are encouraged by her spirit and believe she is a great candidate for acute intensive rehab and are hopeful about her progress, but it will be slow and steady over the course of many months, and she’ll need regular rehab and lots of assistance in daily life once discharged,” the post adds. “We are reaching out to her community to support her while she can focus on her healing and recovery. She currently makes her bread and butter as a vocalist with multiple national bands … and will be out of work and off the stage to heal.
“Please send prayers, love and positive energy and, of course, anything you can contribute to ensure she can return to her home with ease, and eventually the stage, would be so appreciated,” the note added. “Your donation will help ensure she retains her housing and transportation but also to aid in any modifications she may need to assist her as she works to regain her independence. … She loves you, we love you. We’ll keep you updated with her progress. Thank you so much.”
Described on the GoFundMe page as “a magnificent singing artist and performer, tye-dye queen, daughter, family, friend and bright light,” the Berkeley, CA-born Viveca Hawkins just joined up with Dumpstaphunk last year but has been moving crowds around the country with her dynamic voice for nearly two decades. While she studied voice at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she credits most of her ability to the time she spent singing in church choirs in her youth. Her credits include work with Con Brio, The Memorials, Blackalicious, Kev Choice Ensemble, Jazz Mafia, Monophonics, Hieroglyphics, Zion I, The Coup, Talib Kweli, Soulive, and more.
Kev Choice ft. Viveca Hawkins – “All This Love”
Eric Krasno Band w/ Viveca Hawkins – “Manic Depression” (Jimi Hendrix) – 10/9/16
[Video: MKDevo]
Con Brio w/ Viveca Hawkins – “Whenever You Call”
Dumpstaphunk, the beloved New Orleans funk outfit, both echoed those sentiments and celebrated Hawkins’ birthday on Monday in a social media post: “Please help support our beautiful friend and newest member of Dumpstaphunk, Viveca Hawkins, who has suffered a life-altering stroke. Viveca is not only a gifted artist and performer but also a beacon of love, light, and resilience to everyone she meets. Now, she needs our help to face the challenges ahead. As Viveca focuses on her recovery, the medical bills, therapy costs, and other unforeseen expenses continue to pile up. Her family has set up a go-fund me to help with some of the financial strain, and we are sharing to our community to help spread the word. Let’s give her big BIRTHDAY LOVE today, and if you’re able, please help support Viveca’s journey to recovery 🙏🏾. We love you Viv, you got this 💜⚜️💜.”
Contribute to the GoFundMe for Viveca Hawkins here.
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