Desdamona is an international award-winning artist; who has taken her distinct lyrics, sounds, and artistic stylings to audiences from Minnesota to Hawaii to Puerto Rico to Germany; gracing some of Hip Hop and poetry’s most illustrious stages.
Desdamona has had the pleasure of opening up for distinguished artists including Wyclef Jean, GURU, Bahamadia, Zap Mama, Black Uhuru/Sly & Robbie, Saul Williams, Ursula Rucker, KRS ONE and Rhymesayers artists. She has also shared the stage with influential Hip Hop artists including Canada’s Eternia, Medusa and Bgirl Rockafella.
COMMUNITY Desdamona has worked in over 200 schools throughout the Midwest, conducting workshops and as artist in residence, working with more than 10,000 students in public, private and alternative schools as well as colleges and universities. She has also worked in residencies and workshops in Stillwater Prison, Shakopee Prison, Red Wing Juvenile Facility and the Juvenile Detention Center in Minneapolis MN.
EVENTS & TOURS Desdamona is one of the founders of B Girl Be, the first international festival, which celebrates women in Hip Hop. She was a featured performer at the We B*Girlz Festival in Berlin, Germany (2008), the SheRock Festival (2008), and was a Minnesota Music Awards featured performer (2005). Desdamona was also awarded Best Spoken Word Artist from the MN Music Awards five consecutive years. Desdamona was a featured artist on the SummerJam Tour (2007) with legendary, Grammy Award winning artists Sly & Robbie. She and beatbox partner Carnage (as Ill Chemistry) also headlined The 2nd Nature Tour (2008).
PROJECTS Desdamona released her first formal product, The Ledge, in 2005. With production from Sly & Robbie, the project was well received and combined Des’s potent poetry and fierce hip hop delivery with a mix of heavy, world-influenced beats. The Ledge also introduced Desdamona’s fans to her singing, including the hooks and full songs on the album. In 2007, Desdamona released The Source. This project was recorded more organically, with all live instrumentation. The Source offered a whole new feel to Desdamona’s sound, while her lyrics and delivery were as powerful as ever. The Source was a success with fans as well as college radio; ranking as high as number 10 on the Hip Hop charts.