Rouge

Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi (born 13 September 1992), professionally known as Rouge , is a South African rapper of Congolese heritage, born in Pretoria. Her debut album The New Era Sessions, accompanied by a short film, received a South African Film and Television Award for Best Micro Budget Film.

Early life Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi was born on September 13, 1992, in Pretoria, Gauteng. She is of DR Congolese descent as both her parents were born in Congo. She started songwriting at the age of 12, which resulted in her taking part in acting, public speaking and poetry. She started rapping at the age of 19, when her friend suggested she should rap to her own R&B songs she composed. She attended the University of Pretoria, where she completed her degree in Drama & Film.

Career

2014–2016: Beginnings In December 2014, Rouge released her second single "Mi Corazon" featuring rapper BigStar Johnson, following her debut single, "Party". The following year, rapper AKA featured Rouge alongside other female rappers in the remix of his song "Baddest". As for 2016, Rouge then released the song "Mbongo Zaka" featuring Moozlie. The song gained her prominence as it was her first song to top charts on all major radio stations across South Africa.

Rouge was listed as one of six best female rappers in Africa by hip hop website Creative-hiphop in 2017, alongside fellow South African Nadia Nakai and Ghanaian rapper Eno Barony.

In October 2016, Rouge was one of the mentors on the Vuzu reality game show The Coalition, which involves interns undergoing challenges with the assistance of the mentors. She also participated on the MTV Base Cyphers in the "New Skool" (2017).

2017–present: The New Era Sessions The New Era Sessions was released on September 8, 2017, which debuted no. 2 on the local iTunes charts. On September 15, 2017, she premiered the short film for the album as a video anthology and drama. The short film aired on MTV Base starring Atandwa Kani, Fikile Kani, Denise Zimba and herself. She released 5 singles from the album, including "Mbongo Zaka" and "Dololo". The visual album won several accolades, including a South African Film and Television Award for Best Micro Budget Film Award, and a South African Music Award for Best Music Video of the Year.

In 2018, Rouge was the presenter for SABC 1 music show Remix SA. She is also one of the deciders of candy company Halls SA's hashtag competition HallsOMFCC. On March 14, 2019, Rouge announced signing with Sony Music South Africa.

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 South African Music Awards Best Music Video of the Year Arumtumtum South African Music Awards Best Hip Hop Album The New Era Sessions South African Music Awards Best Newcomer Of The Year The New Era Sessions SABRE Awards Africa Best Corporate image New Era Sessions – Rouge All Africa Music Awards Best African Lyricist/Rapper Rouge South African Hip Hop Awards Freshman of the year (NewComer) Rouge

Discography

The New Era Sessions (2017)

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 Single Release Track Title Producers 1 Bazigally Wichi 1080 2 Popular (feat. Emtee) Tweezy 3 No Cap (Freestyle) Wichi 1080 4 One By One (feat. AKA) Tweezy5 Popular Remix (feat. Costa Titch , Hanna , Blxckie & Tumi Tladi) N/A6WAG (WhatsApp Group) (feat. Sarkodie & Youssoupha) N/A