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Darone Sassounian is a Los Angeles based DJ, producer, and founder of the label Rocky Hill. 

 

Known for his eclectic and raw musical approach, Sassounian weaves together vintage sounds from house, disco, soul, jazz, and international obscurities with contemporary records, creating a deeply textured and genre defying sonic identity.

 

Drawing from his Armenian roots and SWANA diaspora upbringing, Sassounian aims at reviving and reshaping Armenian heritage through sound. 

 

His sets and productions often spotlight rare, diaspora era Armenian funk, re-contextualizing them for modern audiences, while blending forward thinking and unpredictable records.

 

His label, Rocky Hill named after his childhood neighborhood embodies a genre free ethos grounded in personal expression. 

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Through both his music and curation, Darone Sassounian is forging a unique path for Armenian diaspora creatives, bridging generational soundscapes and reimagining cultural memory through the lens of dance and rhythm.

 

In 2021, he released the acclaimed compilation Silk Road: Journey of the Armenian Diaspora: 1971–1982 on Terrestrial Funk. Sassounian also held residencies at Club Tee Gee and Dublab, continuing to foster community and sound exploration through every set and release.​ In 2022, Darone began self-releasing records and other producer's work on his label, Rocky Hill, amassing a catalog of contemporary music. In 2025, he collaborated with Habibi Funk, focusing on forgotten music from the 1970s and 1980s in the Armenian suburb in Beirut Lebanon, Bourj Hammoud.

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​For worldwide bookings and inquiries contact: info@rockyhillrecords.us