All-round music creative Desiree’s latest EP, *Intersexy*, opens a door to her world as an intersex woman in South Africa. With just two songs, this EP—which follows her debut project, Femme Tech—captures not just a sound but a profound journey of self-discovery, resilience, and artistic growth. It’s a vibrant testament to embracing oneself and creating magic from life’s complexities.
“In the *Intersexy* EP, I have my first song with vocals, *Khuluma Nami*. I worked with the amazing singer Jabulile Majola from Cape Town. This was a significant leap in my production journey,” Desiree explains.
But *Intersexy* isn’t just about music. “It’s about coming to terms with my identity as an intersex woman,” she shares. “For me, Intersexy represents a broader theme of difference—not just about being intersex, but the experience of feeling different in any setting. It’s for anyone navigating spaces where they don’t quite fit, whether that’s being a black woman in a corporate space dominated by white men or a queer person in a traditional society. It’s a celebration of authenticity.”
Desiree’s story epitomizes daring to be different. Her unique identity and experiences are etched into every beat of her music, offering inspiration to those who feel unseen or out of place.
Growing up in Ivory Park, Desiree always knew she was different. Attending a former Model C school only deepened her sense of isolation, compounded by being bullied and navigating a body that didn’t align with societal norms.
“I didn’t get my period like the other girls in high school. That was something I felt deeply ashamed to talk about. I was in this bubble of being ‘different,’ feeling so alone,” she recalls.
But within that solitude, Desiree found herself drawn to things outside the norm, including modeling—an unconventional pursuit in her township. While watching runway shows, she discovered electronic music, which felt like a warm embrace.
“Modeling was my first glimpse of something beyond my immediate environment,” she reflects. “It made me feel seen, even when I didn’t fit local beauty standards. From there, music found me. It was love at first sound.”
At 21, Desiree’s life changed when doctors identified intersex traits. The revelation was both liberating and disorienting.
“Learning this as an adult was overwhelming. My life had been planned in my head: university, marriage, kids. Suddenly, I had to accept a new reality,” she says. Inspiration came when she discovered South African intersex activist Sharon Rose Khumalo. “Her journey helped me feel seen and empowered.”
Accepting her identity unlocked Desiree’s creativity and shaped her as a musician. “The best thing you can do as an artist is be authentically yourself. Being intersex and proud gives me a unique perspective, even in how I curate my DJ sets. It’s refreshing in an industry still dominated by heterosexual men.”
Desiree’s journey from local shisa nyamas in Olifantsfontein to the world’s biggest music festivals is nothing short of extraordinary. “I’m so proud of how far I’ve come,” she says. “What began as a hobby became a global career.”
Her achievements also come with a sense of duty. As a black woman in a male-dominated space, she feels the weight of representation. “It’s overwhelming sometimes, but I see it as an opportunity to empower others.”
Through her record label and global party brand, Mmino, Desiree hopes to elevate South African talent to the world stage.
“South African music has so much to offer. My dream is for Mmino to create opportunities for local DJs and introduce them to global audiences,” she says.
Desiree’s music is more than sound; it’s a movement—a celebration of difference, a call to authenticity, and proof that you can thrive by being unapologetically yourself. “I hope my story inspires others to embrace their uniqueness and live boldly.”
