Shawn Bosco Fernandes, better known by his stage name Shawn Desman, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, dancer, and choreographer born on January 12, 1982, in Toronto, Canada.
Of Portuguese and Italian descent, Desman grew up in Toronto’s Little Portugal, where his passion for music was ignited at a young age.
His parents, recognizing his talent during school talent shows, encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
From ages nine to sixteen, he performed under his legal name, Shawn Fernandes, releasing four Portuguese albums and touring across Canada to build a fanbase within the Portuguese community.
Desman’s multifaceted career spans music production, acting, and dance, making him a prominent figure in Canada’s pop and R&B scene.
Siblings
Shawn is the eldest of three brothers, with his younger siblings being Danny Fernandes and Jonathan Fernandes.
Danny Fernandes, born on September 16, 1985, is a well-known Canadian R&B singer who followed in Shawn’s footsteps to pursue a music career.
Like Shawn, Danny has made a name for himself in the Canadian music industry, releasing albums such as Intro (2008) and Breathe Again (2013), with hit singles like “Private Dancer” and “Fantasy.”
Jonathan Fernandes, the youngest brother, is less prominent in the public eye, and there is limited information about his involvement in music or other professional endeavors.
Career
Desman’s career began to take shape in his teens when he worked as a background dancer in music videos, including The Boomtang Boys’ 1998 video for “Squeeze Toy.”
At eighteen, he signed with BMG Music Canada, and in 2002, he released his self-titled debut album, Shawn Desman, which featured three top-ten singles on the Canadian charts: “Shook,” “Spread My Wings,” and “Get Ready.”
The album achieved gold certification in Canada, marking a significant milestone.
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His sophomore album, Back for More (2005), included the hit single “Let’s Go” and leaned into a more mature, sensual sound.
In 2010, Desman released Fresh, which spawned platinum-certified singles “Night Like This” and “Electric,” solidifying his status as a Canadian pop icon.
His fourth album, Alive (2013), was accompanied by a short film and included singles like “Nobody Does It Like You” and “Dum Da Dum.”
Desman is also a prolific producer, having worked with artists such as Nick Carter, Kreesha Turner, Keshia Chanté, and his brother Danny Fernandes.
He produced songs for contestants on YTV’s The Next Star, including “One More First Chance” for Brock Zanrosso in 2009 and “It Might Be You” for Parker Schmidt in 2011.
In 2010, he co-founded the MOVE Dance Competition with Beatriz Leonardo, offering platforms for young dancers in Ontario and Manitoba.
Desman’s acting credits include roles in films like How She Move (2007) and A Date with Miss Fortune (2015), as well as an appearance as himself on the TV series The Next Step.
In 2015, he stepped away from music to focus on his family after his wife, Chantelle Leonardo, fell ill.
However, a pivotal performance at Drake’s 2022 OVO Fest, where Drake personally encouraged him to return to music, inspired his comeback with the 2022 single “Maniac.”
Accolades
Desman’s debut album, Shawn Desman, earned gold certification from the Canadian Recording Industry Association, reflecting its commercial success.
In 2006, he won a Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for Back for More.
His 2010 album Fresh garnered significant acclaim, with singles “Night Like This” and “Electric” achieving platinum and gold certifications, respectively.
The music video for “Electric/Night Like This” won Video of the Year at the 2011 Much Music Video Awards, and the single itself earned the Canadian Dance/Pop Single of the Year at the 2011 Stylus Awards, along with a SOCAN Number 1 Award.
Desman also received a Songwriter and Music Publishing Award from Music Publishers Canada, acknowledging his songwriting prowess.
Beyond music, his humanitarian efforts as a Free the Children ambassador, including designing a best-selling T-shirt for Me to We and collaborating with the Kenyan Boys Choir, highlight his commitment to social impact.
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