From Chicago’s South Side, music artist Shawnee Dez intently engages her audience, encouraging energy exchanges first and foremost. Dez is concerned with ancestral knowledge and performance as an opportunity to channel and communicate with the past and future. Her music style consists of heavy use of harmonic layering, a fusion of live instrumentation with digital production, topped off with her dynamic multi-ranged alto melodic voice, creating the perfect dreamscape.
When off the stage, Shawnee’s work centers youth and community advocacy. She activates spaces for creative youth to express unapologetically. In June 2020, Shawnee organized a mass Pre-Juneteenth Black Joy bike ride through Chicago’s Metropolitan area. This ride was a symbol of liberation and mobility, during a time where many were heavily limited by the horrifying effects of two pandemics: systemic racism and COVID-19.
"Chicago singer Shawnee Dez evokes a wide range of emotions with her sultry and dreamy voice and sound that straddles between Soul and R&B with a pinch of contemporary electronic synths." - Vocalo Radio
“CRASH”
On March 3rd, Shawnee Dez releases her new single “CRASH.” It's the first taste of new music since her 2023 debut album MOODY UMBRA, and a fresh offering of her upcoming project, Heart of Wonder, coming soon.
LISTEN now
Live in Chicago
Limited Edition vinyl run of MOODY UMBRA, Shawnee Dez’s debut album, from Smashed Plastic Pressing. Pre-Order now - shipping in May 2024 from Chicago, IL.
Shawnee Dez host SUG N JAM Open Mic at FDC 2019
photo cred: Jacob King
SUG N JAM is a production house dedicated to creating vibrant, inclusive experiences that bring communities together. By partnering with organizations, companies, and brands, we design dynamic activations that celebrate diversity, spark creativity, and foster meaningful connections.
At the heart of our work is the SUG N JAM Open Mic—a recurring event that empowers musical talent and builds community through shared expression. It’s a space where artists grow, collaborate, and connect, while audiences experience the energy and authenticity of live music.
We also produce Soundtrack Sessions, an immersive experience that reimagines the relationship between music and film. Blending iconic cinema with live performances—from classical ensembles to jazz collectives—each session transforms familiar stories into something entirely new. Through custom soundscapes performed in real time, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and push the boundaries of artistic expression.
SUG N JAM is a catalyst for positive change within the community. Fostering inclusivity, creativity, and personal growth while nurturing the local music scene. This initiative is an investment in the well-being and cultural enrichment of Chicago and beyond, with far-reaching and long-lasting benefits.
