Rouge (rapper)

Rouge
Birth name Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi
Born (1992-09-13) 13 September 1992
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Genres Hip Hop, Rap
Occupation(s) Rapper, author
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2013–present
Labels Independent
Associated acts

Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi (born 13 September 1992), professionally known as Rouge is a new school rapper, Hip-hop artist and author from Pretoria, South Africa. Her aim is to bring change in the hip-hop industry, especially the female market. She does not only want to appeal to the women of hip-hop, but to everyone. she wants to be known as a rapper, not just a ‘female’ rapper, but rather someone who is talented at what they do.[1]

Background

Rouge a first generation South African, of Congolese heritage, was born and raised in Pretoria. She always dreamt of becoming a performer and started singing at the age of 6, songwriting at the age of 12 and rapping at the age of 19.[2] She also took part in acting, public speaking and poetry, not knowing she was preparing herself for what was to come. In 2014 she completed a degree in Drama & Film at the University of Pretoria.

Influences

Rouge is musically influenced by Lauryn Hill, Drake and Logic, etc.

Musical career

After listening to one of Rouge's RnB songs during a studio session with a friend, the suggestion was made that Rouge rap instead singing the lyrics. Although it was she was stepping out of her comfort zone, Rouge instantly fell in love with the flow and was hooked.

Highlights

In December 2014, Rouge released her debut single entitled "Party" to critical acclaim.[3]

Her single "Mi Corazon"[4] meaning ‘My Love’ in Spanish, was released in 2015.

In late 2015, Rouge also released "Bua".[5]

The same year, Rouge was also featured on rapper "AKA"s Baddest Remix.[6]

She released two new singles in 2016, "Mbonga Zaka" featuring Moozlie[7][8] and "Sheba Ngwan O",[9] which was play listed and topping charts on all mayor radio stations across South Africa.[10] She was featured on Locnville’s single "Taste The Weekend" and released "Takeover".[11]

Her debut album titled "New Era Sessions" was released in 2017.[12]


She has participated on the MTVBase Cyphers in the "New Skool" category as one of the most anticipated rappers for 2017.[13]

Rouge had a hit collaboration in 2017 with Ms Cosmo titled "Connect" featuring Nasty C and Kwesta.[14]

2017, Rouge featured with Sho Madjozi & Moozlie on "Ay Baby" by MsCosmo.[15]

On 8 September 2017, Rouge released her debut Album The New Era Sessions. Challenged by the fact of being a female in the male dominated industry, she rose to the challenge when she successfully launched her album to a sold out crowd.[16] Her short film New Era Sessions based on the album premiered on MTV Base on 15 September 2017, featuring artists such as Atandwa and Fikile Kani, Denise Zimba.[17]

Rouge won "Best Female Rapper" for her album The New Era Sessions at the South African Hip-Hop Awards in December 2017.[18]

Rouge won "Best Video Of The Year" for her video Arumtumtum at The South African Music Awards 2018.[19]

The New Era Sessions

Over a shifting sonic landscape of skittering trap beats, club-ready hooks and fat 808-fed boom-bap, Rouge establishes an empowered feminine stance by delivering fierce, yet liquid-smooth rhymes, establishing her street cred, taking shots at rivals and dropping life lessons. Amid a disquieting swirl of thunderous bass and snapping high-hats, Rouge’s voice emerges clear and untouched.

Tracklist

Track Title Producers
1 Intro Wichi 1080
2 Underrated Nizi (Kids Of Crackling)
3 Celebrity Mae N. Maejor / K-Beatz
4 Let It Go Lionel Soulchildren
5 Déjà Vu Ron Epidemic
6 No Pressure Ron Epidemic
7 Dololo feat. Bigstar Mae N. Maejor / K-Beatz / Add. Ron Epidemic
8 Arumtumtum Mae N. Maejor / Wichi 1080
9 Naledi Mae N. Maejor / Wichi 1080
10 The Breakup Wichi 1080
11 Simon Says feat. Kly & Shasha Wichi 1080
12 No Strings Mae N. Maejor
13 Mbongo-Zaka feat. Moozlie Tweezy
14 Sheba Ngwan O Wichi 1080
15 Mabele Mae N. Maejor / K-Beatz / Add. Wichi 1080

TV shows

Since October 2016, ROUGE is also seen as one of the mentors in The Play Coalition,[20] a reality TV show airing on VuzuTV every Saturday at 6PM. Alongside DJ Dimplez, Ricardo da Costa, Major League Twins, Punk & Ivy and dancer Courtnae Paul, they each select a group of interns whom they guide and assist on each week's episode. Each episode, the interns undergo a series of challenges with the assistance of their mentor for the purpose of organizing a massive concert event called The Griffin Session, held on 26 November 2016.

She has participated on the MTVBase Cyphers in the "New Skool" category which are the most anticipated rappers for 2017.[21]

2018, Presenter on the Remix SA on SABC 1.[22]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
2018 South African Film and Television Awards Best Micro Budget Film Award New Era Sessions Won [23]
South African Music Awards Best Music Video of the Year Arumtumtum Won [24]
South African Music Awards Best Hip Hop Album The New Era Sessions Nominated [25]
South African Music Awards Best Newcomer Of The Year The New Era Sessions Nominated [26]
SABRE Awards Africa Best Southern Africa PR campaign New Era Sessions - Rouge Won [27]
SABRE Awards Africa Best Corporate image New Era Sessions - Rouge Won [28]
SABRE Awards Africa Platinium Award New Era Sessions - Rouge Nominated [29]
All Africa Music Awards Best Female Southern Africa Rouge Nominated [30]
All Africa Music Awards Best African Lyricist/Rapper Rouge Nominated [31]
All Africa Music Awards Best African Dance/choreography Arumtumtum Nominated [32]
2017 South African Hip Hop Awards Best Female Artist Rouge Won [33]
South African Hip Hop Awards Freshman of the year (NewComer) Rouge Nominated [34]

References

  1. ↑ "Rouge: Raising The Bar | The plug". theplugmag.com. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  2. ↑ YFM. "Artist Info - YFM | Yona Ke Yona". YFM. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  3. ↑ "Up Close & Personal With Rouge". Bona. 2015-02-18. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  4. ↑ "Rouge - Mi Corazon Ft BigStar Johnson [Official Video] - The African Hip Hop Blog". The African Hip Hop Blog. 2015-02-23. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  5. ↑ "Rouge Goes Rogue In New Song Featuring Reason. Listen & Download". www.hypemagazine.co.za. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  6. ↑ Madisa, Kgothatso. "AKA empowers female rappers with Baddest Remix". Sowetan LIVE. Archived from the original on 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  7. ↑ "Mbongo-Zaka (feat. Moozlie) - Single by Rouge on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
  9. ↑ "ROUGE - SHEBA NGWAN O' - Infinity.co.za". Infinity.co.za. 2016-07-15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  10. ↑ "2 minutes with female rapper Rouge | DRUM". DRUM. 2016-06-03. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  11. ↑ "Mark Stent feat. Rouge - Takeover - Infinity.co.za". Infinity.co.za. 2016-10-28. Archived from the original on 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  12. ↑ "25 South African Rappers Under 25 Killing the Game". Okayafrica. 2016-06-25. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  13. ↑ "Check Out Maraza, Rouge & Priddy Uggly On The MTV Base Cypher". 22 November 2016. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Music Video: Ms Cosmo ft Nasty C, Rouge x Kwesta - Connect". Archived from the original on 2018-01-19.
  15. ↑ "@MsCosmo ft @NoMoozlie @Rouge_Rapper x @ShoMadjozi - Ay Baby". Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  17. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  18. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  19. ↑ "#sama24: Rouge scoops Music Video of the Year award". Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  20. ↑ "The Coalition Exclusive: Rouge". Vuzu. 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  21. ↑ MTV Base Africa (2016-11-22), MTV Base Cypher New Skool - Rouge, Maraza, Priddy Ugly, archived from the original on 2018-03-03, retrieved 2016-12-01
  22. ↑ "Rouge has her very own show on SABC 1". glamour.co.za. 2018-07-06. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  23. ↑ "IOL".
  24. ↑ "IOL". June 2, 2018.
  25. ↑ http://www.samusicawards.co.za/sama-2018/about-the-sama-2
  26. ↑ http://www.samusicawards.co.za/sama-2018/about-the-sama-2
  27. ↑ https://www.holmesreport.com/events-awards/sabre-awards/sabre-awards-africa/2016-finalists
  28. ↑ https://www.holmesreport.com/events-awards/sabre-awards/sabre-awards-africa/2016-finalists
  29. ↑ https://www.holmesreport.com/events-awards/sabre-awards/sabre-awards-africa/2016-finalists
  30. ↑ https://afrima.org/5th-AFRIMA-Nominees-List.py
  31. ↑ https://afrima.org/5th-AFRIMA-Nominees-List.py
  32. ↑ https://afrima.org/5th-AFRIMA-Nominees-List.py
  33. ↑ "IceKream".
  34. ↑ http://www.sahiphopawards.com/nominations.html
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