TORONTO — Shawn Desman believed his pop career had ended after being dropped by his record label nearly a decade ago, sending his life into a tailspin. But a surprising call from Toronto superstar Drake changed everything, giving Desman the confidence and encouragement to restart his journey.
Drake handpicked Desman for a special concert lineup two summers ago, spotlighting the homegrown hip-hop and R&B stars who inspired him. When Desman took the stage to perform his biggest hits, including “Shook” and “Electric,” he was stunned by the audience’s enthusiastic response.
Desman says that evening marked a turning point in both his professional and personal life, as he had assumed many of his fans had forgotten about him.
Following Drake’s concert, Desman returned to the studio, recording the uplifting single “Maniac,” his first new song in years. Since then, he’s been shaping his comeback with more new music, a live album, and a concert tour extending into the fall.