Dessa

Dessa is a singer, rapper, and writer who has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations. Her albums include rap bangers; a cappella arrangements; and big, catchy pop hooks. She’s toured 5 continents (which sounds fancier than it is--think rented van, not catered bus), published a memoir, and recorded a live album with the GRAMMY-winning Minnesota Orchestra (okay, that one was fancy). On the invitation of Lin-Manuel Miranda, she contributed a track to The Hamilton Mixtape and while touring through Hong Kong, she delivered a TED talk titled “Can We Choose to Fall out Love?” that’s notched more than 4 million views.  Her written work has been published in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, and in literary journals around the country. On the stage and on the page, Dessa’s work embodies ferocity, wit, tenderness, and candor. dessawander.com