Dallas-born and Brooklyn-based eclectic soul artist Dezi 5 drops his new single, “Lady,” on December 6th, 2019 via 11A Records. The classic R&B track was recorded at Modern Electric Sound in Dallas with the vision to highlight his vocal range amongst analog sounds. It is inspired by his late grandmother, the owner of Deep Ellum’s 40-plus year running soul food restaurant Vern’s Place.

Pictured on the single artwork, Suvern “Vern” Freeman Simmons raised Dezman Lehman from a young age and was a powerful force in his life and in the lives of her ten children. Always working to provide for her family, it was not without difficult times including relatives taken by the crack epidemic in the 80s.

“When I was working on this song, it was a tribute to my grandmother’s resilience, but it turned into me honoring all the women in my life,” Dezi explains. “Not just my family, but also my friends, women in the world fighting for equality, and trans women struggling to just stay alive.”

Dezi will perform “Lady” at the 2019 Dallas Observer Music Awards on December 10th where he also serves as the event’s host. He has a long history with the local alt-weekly garnering many of his own nominations and earning the honor of Best Performer in 2016. This year’s ceremony also includes the Lifetime Achievement award-winner, Erykah Badu.

For four years, Dezi built a reputation as one of Dallas’ best performers. His unique style draws in listeners no matter their preferred genre. He navigates an audience through booty-shaking dance music to more classic, soulful fare, and if you are lucky to witness him in-person, you will work up a sweat. His showmanship has earned  him opening slots for a variety of artists ranging from Big Freedia and Le1f to Gavin DeGraw and Keith Urban.

In 2017, Dezi set off to New York City to expand his career. In a short time, he has won over audiences in venues across the city while also being a staple in Brooklyn’s queer nightlife scene. He has signed to indie label 11A Records and is working on numerous singles for 2020.

Catch Dezi 5 at a special single release show in Dallas at The Free Man on Sunday, December 8th.