ebonEmpress Press
Discoder Magazine
Healing music, healing communities.
Dae Shields aka ebonEmpress is a Vancouver based emcee, rapper, bassist, spoken word artist, designer, activist, and community advocate (to name a few of her talents.) She is also one of the founders of AfroVan Connect, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people of African Descent through conversation, collaboration, creation and performance.
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver-based Dae Shields performs under the name ebonEmpress.
A dedicated activist, Shields founded the Afro Van Connect Society in 2019 to provide opportunities to people of African descent to come together and express their creativity.
Blending hip hop, jazz and R&B into a distinct style, ebonEmpress has collaborated with Indigenous rappers Snotty Nose Rez Kids, as well as making original solo work.
Named one of the Vancouver Economic Commission’s Black leaders in Vancouver, her work is dedicated to spreading awareness of “the impact of people of African descent have on Canadian and global cultures.” The singer sees jazz music as a spiritual experience that connects directly with the Black innovators that came before.
Tiniest
ebonEmpress Makes A Plea For Peace The Vancouver artist takes aim at police brutality in her latest single and video.
ebonEmpress reminds us there’s no real Peace without justice in her topical and moving new single and video — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The second single from the Vancouver musician’s debut EP, Peace speaks about the journey of a young black man — his hopes, his dreams and his family life — and ends with him becoming a victim of police brutality.
“This is an important story for me to share, as I witness my family, friends, and community struggle in face of discrimination,” explains ebonEmpress(real name: Dae Shields). “It’s a very emotional topic that brings out complex feelings of rage, sorrow, and grief as I bear witness to the atrocities that are often covered up, downplayed, or completely erased. The lyrics were inspired through my research of Canada’s history of police brutality amongst black men, as well as various experiences of loss within my community.”
Afrofuturism in Art : Here are 5 local Black artists we’re grateful for
The month of February is also known as Black History Month in Canada. During this month, we celebrate and honour the legacy of Black Canadians and the communities they contribute to and continue to help build in Canada.
The entire month is also dedicated to the Black community’s contributions to the arts and culture in Canada.
The 2021 theme for Black History Month is “The Future is Now.” This theme serves as a call to action to move forward and continue building on the legacy of Black Canadians, as well as to recognize and celebrate the brilliant work that Black communities are doing now.