Chief Cleopatra

Chief Cleopatra, born Jalesa Jessie, is an Austin, Texas based Soul Rock singer, songwriter and musician.
Originally from Corsicana, Texas, Cleo began her musical journey as a young child, singing and playing drums in her church’s youth choir, and eventually beginning to write her own songs. After briefly stepping away from music, Cleo moved to Austin and released the debut acoustic EP, Lesa x Lenny Vol.1, in February 2019, kicking off her professional musical career. She was quickly noticed by and featured in the Austin Chronicle, and on KUTX, performing at the station’s show, The Breaks in 2020 and becoming their February Artist of The Month in 2022.
Garnering praise and prompting comparisons to Santigold, Chief Cleopatra reigns as a 6X SXSW Official Artist, she was nominated by the Austin Music Awards for “Best New Artist” in 2021, and is a current member of the Recording Academy.
She was previously in consideration for the 67th Annual GRAMMYs®, with a total of four FYC’s including Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and more for her 2024 single, “Cold Dancer”.
Cleo has supported The Wailers, Girl Talk, Durand Jones, Adrian Quesada, Bas, The Bright Light Social Hour, Jackie Venson, Seratones, Abraham Alexander, Danielle Ponder, In The Valley Below, Lukas Nelson along with many other notable acts.
New music is slated for release in 2025.