Growing up in the dusty streets of Ivory Park in Midrand, she was always drawn to music. And it was never the usual songs or tunes that everyone else was listening to in her neighbourhood.
Radiohead, Atoms for Peace and Thom Yorke were her jammers. Musically, she was a curious kid “digging for musical treasures in record shops and online”, as she best describes it.
Palesa Shilabje, fondly known as DESIREE, knew early on in her life that her destiny lies in music.
For her, hearing the Pyramid song by Radiohead for the first time, eyes closed was the moment that confirmed it all.
“I was completely transported by that haunting melody. It was like the world just melted away, and all that was left was me and that music. Pure magic. But it wasn't just about the noise, it was the feeling. Those melodies, the lyrics, they spoke to me in a way nothing else did. Music became my escape, my language, my everything.”
Pursuing music as a career wasn’t, however, a spare of the moment thing but rather a gradual build-up.
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“University in Braamfontein opened my eyes to the vibrant dance scene, and house music, especially afro house, just clicked with my soul. I started collecting music, obsessing over mixes, and eventually, the urge to share this passion became too strong. I knew I had to make music my life, not just my hobby.”
When she started seeing the DJs that she looked up to changing the game, “It was like all the pieces of a puzzle - alternative, electronic, African roots - came together in one perfect beat. I knew then that I wanted to be part of that magic, to create my own moments for people to dance to. Learning to DJ was the next logical step.”
When she finally got into the music space and began cementing herself in it, she found fulfillment.
“Honestly, every time I see someone lose themselves in my music, that's a breakthrough. But yeah, my breakthrough was more a series of milestones than a single event. Landing that first gig at Jackie Queens' Surreal Electronica was mind-blowing. Became a resident there for two years! Then, boom, Europe in 2021! Playing in Paris with Black Coffee was unreal, and rocking the Kunye stream in 2022, pure magic.
“My goal is to break down barriers, both musically and socially. I want to blend genres, push boundaries, and share the sounds of South Africa with the world. My music is about self-discovery, acceptance, and celebrating our unique identities. And through my beats, I want to make people move, feel, and connect on a deeper level,” says the 27-year-old producer.
In the last four years, DESIREE's career has seen a rapid global ascent, and in 2022, it reached a significant milestone with the launch of her debut EP 'Femme Tech' under the Bae Electronica label, helmed by house music vocalist Jackie Queens.
With time, her sound went beyond the national borders and into the international music scene where she was not only recognised but awarded.
She shares with Drum that she never expected to be as big as she has grown to be, especially in 2023.
“Honestly, I just put my head down and poured my heart into the music. Recognition is amazing, but it's the journey, the constant learning and growth, that truly excites me. Playing international gigs is a dream come true, and I'm grateful for every opportunity to share my music with the world.”
She has graced renowned festivals and venues such as fabric London, New York’s Brooklyn Mirage and Ibiza's iconic Circoloco, as well as shared the spotlight with Black Coffee, Rampa, and TSHA among others.
Recently, she scooped DJ Mag Future Star Award – an international award that celebrates the electronic music scene.
When she got an email inviting her to attend the award ceremony in the United Kingdom to receive her honour, she instantly got goosebumps.
“My heart almost burst out of my chest! The ceremony was online so I didn’t attend a ceremony physically but I had the privilege of filming a special set in Mexico and doing that will forever sear the memory of this moment in my career as something I cherish.”
“It felt like validation, not just for me, but for the scene I represent. It showed that South African sounds, our stories, are reaching the world, and that's incredibly powerful. But the real award is the love and support of my fans, the people who dance to my music, who believe in me. That's what keeps me going,” she adds.
Acknowledging that electronic music is not mainstream, she says the genre’s soul is universal and it’s all in the rhythm, energy and the emotions that transcend language and culture.
“I tap into it because it allows me to express myself freely, to tell my story through beats and basslines. And seeing people from all walks of life connect to my music, that's what keeps me afloat.”
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Now that she’s closing off the year as an international star, she is ready to launch her own label – Mmino which is a Sotho translation of music.
MMINO will be a record label and party series, what she calls a bold celebration that pays tribute to the diversity of South African house music culture and fosters an open-minded atmosphere within the scene.
“The sky's the limit! I'm launching my own label, dropping new productions that showcase the richness of afro house and beyond. I'm collaborating with amazing artists and using my platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the scene. This is just the beginning.
“Five years out, I'll be painting the world with sound. My label will be a canvas for rising stars, and my DJ sets, a fusion of sounds that melt borders and ignite hearts. A decade on? Festival queen, championing causes with music, and mentoring the next generation. Beyond specific goals, what truly excites me is the journey itself. The constant evolution, the unexpected collaborations, the moments of pure magic on the dance floor – that's what keeps me going. In 5-10 years, I see myself leaving my own unique mark on the world. One beat at a time, one groove at a time, one soul at a time.”
