Rouge opens up about the grief and pressure that halted her career
Rouge discusses her mental health, grief and the difficult decision to pause her career while navigating loss and industry shifts.
Image: Instagram/tsapitori
“I had been away from the game for a bit … and it was due to a lot of things, man. Just the amount of people who passed away. I think I went through a proper depression.”
South African rapper Rouge (real name Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi) has opened up about her break from music, offering a candid look into why she decided to step back at a pivotal moment in her career.
Speaking on the "Defining" podcast, the "Mbongo-Zaka" hitmaker explained that her absence was shaped by grief and emotional strain that built up over time.
She revealed that the industry losses hit particularly hard, citing several artists she had close ties with, including Riky Rick, Tumi Tladi, AKA and Costa Titch.
“These are all people with whom I had quite grave relationships, with Kiernan being my mentor,” she said, referring to AKA.
Rouge explained that the repeated losses created an emotional weight that made it difficult to continue working at the same pace.
She noted that even the process of releasing music became a challenge during that period. “And it was kind of difficult to release,” she added.
This kind of withdrawal is not unusual. Research on grief and occupational burnout shows that individuals exposed to repeated bereavement, especially within close social or professional networks, often experience what clinicians describe as cumulative grief.
Studies in trauma psychology indicate that when losses occur in close succession, the brain has limited time to process each event, which can lead to emotional shutdown, depressive symptoms and avoidance behaviours, including stepping away from work or creative output.
Rouge also spoke about the added pressure of a changing music landscape, particularly the rise of Amapiano, which forced many artists to rethink their sound and identity. “And really, the process of, okay, what do we do now? Because Amapiano was coming,” she said.
The shift added pressure to adapt creatively while she was still processing everything around her. “And really, the process of, okay, what do we do now? Because Amapiano was coming. So, trying to figure out, okay, what, how do we reinvent this?”
She added that attempts to return to music were often interrupted by further setbacks, ultimately leading her to step away.
“And then when I was about to, something would happen. And then it kind of just took me like, I need a moment from this thing.”
Rouge’s break was not framed as a departure, but as a necessary pause to regain stability.