PASSIONATE

“Something quite unfamiliar, yet intriguing and captivating, that cannot be labeled underneath anything else except for Passionate’s sound”. Passionate (born Chashawna Wesby in Thomaston, Georgia May 22, 1982) is an American soul, pop, poetic singer-songwriter, and guitarist. Her style is one of uniqueness that cannot be placed in comparison with any other artist. She shares this uniqueness with the world, by being herself and delivering this God given gift in the way it was fashioned for her. However, she is inspired by the many trailblazers of uniqueness that have preceded her like India Arie, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys.
Passionate grasped relentlessly on to poetry in her early years when she received her first poetry book by Edgar Allen Poe from her Father, and when she witnessed a powerful and soul stirring interpretation of Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” by one of her middle school teachers. Instantly she placed all of her energy into writing. In her initial stages of writing, short-stories, poems, and plays were a part of her repertoire. Inclusive with her writing she began to develop her acting skills by joining the drama club, and learning how to deeply express her writing through action. Upon graduating Taylor County High School in 2000, Passionate’s mother decided to move the family to Augusta, GA to take part in the caretaking of Passionate’s grandmother who was suffering from a stroke. In 2002, Passionate gave birth to a daughter, Tiara Monae Dugger, with her high school sweetheart. In 2003, their relationship ended. This failed relationship drove her deeper into uncovering her gifts in life. After enrolling in Augusta State University, Passionate chaired and developed a spoken word poetry group, “Heart of Many” which had a tremendous impact on the campus. She also developed a name in the community as one of the top spoken word artists in the area, was awarded 2007 CSRA spoken word poet of the year, and coined the name “Passionate” in those years. Around that time, she began volunteering in the neighborhood at Lucy Craft Laney Museum with at-risk youth, coaching and teaching the youth drama and poetry. This was only the beginning of new ideas to rise in this young lady, at some stage in those years she incorporated her love for music with her poetry and decided to learn to play the guitar to accompany her poetry and gift of song. In 2006, Passionate graduated from Augusta State University with Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and what seemed to be a beautiful beginning for a future of success turned tragic in July of that self same year. On July 17, 2006 Passionate’s mother Catherine Howell was laid to rest after suffering a fatal heart attack. This loss mentally stagnated Passionate for awhile, because music was a means in her heart to give back to a mother who struggled to make a living for her kids. After much deliberation, a time of soul searching, many heart breaks, sudden impoverished moments, and misunderstandings in 2008 Passionate decided to give herself back into what made her enjoy living, her music. She began to delve deeply in to lyricism, uniqueness of sound, and various artists to gain back what was lost in the search for identity in 2006. In 2009, after a serious failed relationship took place, and hitting rock bottom, she placed her whole being completely over into music and taking care of her daughter. With the help of an old friend from college, Zekia Brunson, she was able to focus her whole living to her music career. With spiritual direction from Bishop Finace Bush Jr. of Crown Christian Church International of North Augusta, SC, she was able to gain a clearer understanding of her mission and identity in life. In 2010, after long deliberation and failed attempts in the industry, Passionate decided to get underneath the management of Rodney Tillman of Tillmanagement to direct her business and music affairs. After making this decision, everything she imagined began to be put in motion straight away. Underneath Tillmanagement, she worked on her first project “The Journey –Love, God, and Relationships”. This CD exhibited her poetry, her in depth passion for music, and creativity. Two years laters she released her second project, and she recently recorded a music video for that self same project "STRONGER". It is said to be the gospel anthem of 2013!