Dessa

Dessa is an American singer, rapper, musician, writer, and former record executive, known for her diverse artistic path from indie hip hop to orchestral collaborations and published literature. After releasing her debut solo EP, ‘False Hopes,’ in 2005, Dessa quickly garnered critical acclaim, with the Star Tribune recognizing the project as one of the top local albums of that year. A versatile artist spanning genres as a singer, rapper, and musician, Dessa first emerged within the vibrant Minneapolis hip-hop scene as a member of the influential indie collective Doomtree. Her artistic momentum continued with the release of her first full-length album, ‘A Badly Broken Code,’ in 2010.

She followed this success with ‘Castor, the Twin’ in 2011, an album that reimagined earlier works through new arrangements and live instrumentation, showcasing her evolving musicality. Dessa’s reach expanded further with her 2013 album, ‘Parts of Speech,’ which debuted on Billboard’s Top 200, solidifying her presence on the national stage. Demonstrating her diverse collaborative capabilities, she contributed a notable cover of ‘Congratulations’ to ‘The Hamilton Mixtape’ in 2016. In April 2017, Dessa headlined a landmark performance with the Minnesota Orchestra, where she presented new orchestral arrangements of her songs alongside a unique spoken-word narrative.

Her foray into new media continued in 2021 with the launch of ‘Deeply Human,’ a thought-provoking podcast co-produced by BBC World Service, American Public Media, and iHeartMedia, exploring complex aspects of human behavior. Most recently, Dessa released her highly anticipated album, ‘Bury the Lede,’ in September 2023, adding another significant chapter to her prolific discography. As a former record executive and an artist who consistently pushes creative boundaries across music and literature, Dessa continues to cement her reputation as a multi-hyphenate talent who captivates audiences across diverse platforms and artistic forms.