Desdamona
Desdamona has won five Minnesota Music Awards for ‘Best Spoken Word Artist’ in the years 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (the awards were not hosted in 2001 and 2002). For that reason, and her strong standing in the male-dominated hip-hop scene, she is considered to be the best female spoken word and hip-hop artist in the Midwest. Desdamona frequently collaborates with Twin Cities beatboxer Carnage the Executioner, also known as Carnage. The two have formed a group called Ill Chemistry, which was noted as a rising hip-hop group at the 2007 Minnesota Music Awards. Desdamona started an all-girl music festival, called B-Girl Be, which incorporates all the aspects of hip-hop and spoken word; emceeing, break dance, D.J.-ing and graffiti. She also works with schools, teaching students, as well as in the Stillwater Prison program, In the Belly. Desdamona released her first spoken world album, Inkling on Draw Fire Records in December of 2009.