Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi was born on 13 September 1992, professionally known as Rouge is a new school rapper, Hip-hop artist and author from Pretoria, South Africa.
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. She also took part in acting, public speaking and poetry, not knowing she was preparing herself for what was to come.
Rouge. credit: Instagram/rouge_rapper
In 2014 she completed a degree in Drama & Film at the University of Pretoria. In December 2014, Rouge released her debut single entitled “Party” to critical acclaim with her single ‘Mi Corazon’ meaning ‘My Love’ in Spanish, was released in 2015.
In late 2015, Rouge also released “Bua”.
The same year, Rouge was also featured on rapper AKA’s Baddest Remix.
Rouge. credit: Instagram/rouge_rapper
She released two new singles in 2016, ‘Mbonga Zaka’ and ‘Sheba Ngwan O’, which was play listed and topping charts on all mayor radio stations across South Africa.
She was featured on Locnville’s single ‘Taste the Weekend’ and released ‘Takeover’.
She has participated on the MTV Base Cyphers in the “New Skool” category as one of the most anticipated rappers to come out in 2017.
Rouge had a hit collaboration in 2017 with Ms Cosmo titled ‘Connect’ featuring Nasty C and Kwesta.
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.
Her short film New Era Sessions based on the album premiered on MTV Base on 15 September 2017, featuring artistes such as Atandwa and Fikile Kani, Denise Zimba.
Rouge won ‘Best Female Rapper’ for her album The New Era Sessions at the South African Hip-Hop Awards in December 2017.
Since October 2016, ROUGE is also seen as one of the mentors in The Play Coalition, a reality TV show airing on VuzuTV every Saturday at 6PM.
Rouge. credit: Instagram/rouge_rapper
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 MTV Base Cyphers in the “New Skool” category which are the most anticipated rappers for 2017.