Shammy Dee

Adjunct Lecturer

Biography

Shammy Dee is a faculty member at the USC School of Dramatic

Los Angeles-based Shammy Dee is a multi-faceted artist who has achieved success in multiple arenas of entertainment. Primarily known as a DJ, he’s played for some of the world’s top brands such as Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Adidas, and Burberry, to name a few, as well as recognized celebrities such as the Kardashians, Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, and Michael Buble. On top of crossing the nation multiple times as the tour DJ for internet sensation Destorm Power and a rocking multi-city national style tour with recognized stylist Stacey London, Shammy has also shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning artists like Kendrick Lamar and Diplo. During the pandemic, his rooftop DJ sets got recognition on local L.A. news and national recognition on Ellen.

He’s also an accomplished artist and producer. His original music has created a buzz, charting three college-chart topping #1 singles off his debut album (and UCSD thesis project), Transcripted Thoughts on national college charts. He’s produced songs and albums for independent artists; podcasters like Michael Port; and independent films and documentaries.

In a fun plot twist, he’s also appeared onstage, in commercials, and even on your television screen (or nowadays, your phone!). You may have seen his face on the popular Bad Game Gamefly commercial or on nationally syndicated television shows like How I Met Your Mother and Sam & Cat.

This combination of music and acting opened up a unique lane as a music director and composer for theater. He’s done work merging both hip hop and theater on some of the most notable stages across the nation. As music director, he’s worked on Welcome To Arroyo’s (The Old Globe), How We Got On (Cleveland Playhouse), Tiger Style! (La Jolla Playhouse), Poor Yella Rednecks (South Coast Rep), Vietgone (A.C.T. San Francisco and East West Players), Poor Yella Rednecks (South Coast Rep), The Realness (Hangar Theatre), and the children’s musical Last Stop On Market Street (South Coast Rep).

During the pandemic, he was commissioned by the La Jolla Playhouse to create a piece for their Digital WOW series. He co-created the piece Spittin’ Truth To Power While Light Leaping For The People, an intergenerational piece using images, music, and storytelling reminiscent of the griot. He also innovated the live performance format with his DJ Pop-Ups, spinning DJ sets in open lots so that people have a way to enjoy music while being safe in their cars.

He continues to stay creative and bring the best out of every project that he works on.