NEED TO KNOW
- Rooga’s mainstream crossover arrived with Kanye West’s Chicago Donda event where the show incorporated his “GD Anthem” during the Soldier Field performance.
- He is credited as a vocalist on Kanye West’s Donda track “Ok Ok” marking one of his biggest co-signs outside drill.
- In 2021, “GD Anthem” became Rooga’s trademark single, spreading widely by word of mouth & official video. 1
- Rooga released “For Duck” to honor FBG Duck which carries themes of remembrance, loyalty and perseverance.
- Years before Donda, Rooga made his mark with the 12-track Back Da F**k Up (2019) proving his consistency early on.
- In 2021, Rooga and Lil Moe 6Blocka dropped “Scrappers” marking his commitment to guide younger artists.
- The “Exposing Me (Remix)” (2019) with FBG Duck became a breakout moment that carried Rooga’s name beyond local circles.
“You can’t stay in the city you damn near from. That’s where the hate comes from first, your own city… That’s the only way you’re going to secure the bag and secure your family and secure yourself.”2
JHE Rooga (real name Denzel Charles; born October 15th 1993, Chicago, IL) is a South Side Chicago drill rapper and songwriter best known for “GD Anthem”, the tribute “For Duck” and a Donda collaboration with Kanye West. 3 Active through 2025, he pairs gritty street detail with mentorship and community work standing out as a leading modern Chicago voice.
JHE Rooga Personal Info
| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Name | Denzel Charles 4 |
| Stage Name | JHE Rooga / Rooga 5 |
| Age | 31 (as of 2025) 6 |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1993 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra 7 |
| Nationality | American |
| Hometown | South Side, Chicago, Illinois |
| Career | |
| Profession | Rapper, songwriter |
| Years Active | 2017–present 8 |
| Collective / Label | Jet High Entertainment (independent operations) 9 |
| Affiliation | Gangster Disciples (GD) referenced in catalog and imagery 10 |
| Breakout Moments | “Exposing Me (Remix)” with FBG Duck (2019); “For Duck” (2020); “GD Anthem” (2021) 11 |
| Kanye West Collab | Featured on Donda tracks “Ok Ok” / “Ok Ok, Pt. 2” 12 |
| Signature Performance | Performed “GD Anthem” at Soldier Field Donda listening event (Chicago) 13 |
| Mentorship / Circle | Lil Moe 6Blocka partnership; Scrappers era as a mentorship signal 14 |
| “Scrappers” Credits | Joint mixtape with Lil Moe 6Blocka released via Capitol (July 23, 2021) 15 |
| Highlighted Tracks (2025) | |
| “Uh” (with King Louie) | Single, 2025 16 |
| “Echoes of Silence” | Single, 2025 17 |
| “Velvet Nights” | Single, 2025 18 |
| Live & Presence | |
| Live Staple | “GD Anthem” remains a set closer; turns venues into chant halls 19 |
| Public Identity | JHE tag across posts; bookings and beats emails in bio 20 |
| Social Media | |
| @jhe_rooga 21 | |
| X (Twitter) | @Real_Rooga 22 |
| YouTube Clip | “GD Anthem” at Soldier Field (fan capture) 23 |
| More Quick Facts | |
| Known For | Viral chant “GD Anthem,” tribute “For Duck,” consistent indie pace via JHE 24 |
| 2025 Status | Active independent artist releasing singles, selective collabs, live shows 25 |
Early Life & Background

- Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side where drill took shape and defined a generation of local artists. He soaked up block parties, basement studios and YouTube-era cyphers. The neighborhood sound became his compass and his voice. 26
- He grew up around Chicago’s gang scene and formed his identity near the Gangster Disciples (GD). 27 He learned to move with caution and code. Survival shaped how he spoke and what he chose to share.
- That GD affiliation became core to his music’s language chants, coded references, and loyalty—heard clearly in “GD Anthem.” 28
- Family ties rooted him inside Chicago street rap’s story and community. 29 He leaned on cousins, friends and elders for support. Their stories gave his verses detail and weight.
- He is the cousin of the late FBG Duck (Carlton Weekly). 30 That bond sharpened his purpose after Duck’s death. He carried the family name with care in public and in music.
- His wider circle included FBG Brick, his younger brother Lil MOB Scrapp and close friend Dooski Tha Man each killed in separate shootings.
“I grew up right there on the South Side, around the drill scene before it had a name. We was in basements, we was at block parties, we was on YouTube just trying to get heard. The environment taught me to move a certain way but it also gave me the stories I put in my music.”
- Those losses left a permanent imprint on his art, memorialized in tributes like “For Duck.” 31
- During his teenage years, he was already making tracks locally. Recording taught him how to control his voice and filming simple videos gave him the discipline to plan and roll out projects. 32
- During that period the circle became Jet High Entertainment (JHE)—his banner and mission. JHE signaled independence and focus and turned friends and collaborators into a real team. 33
- “JHE” became part of the brand and even the stage-name look on official releases. The tag shows up on covers, titles and intros. It tells listeners where he’s from and what he stands for. 34
- His early tape I Am Scrapp (2016) was dedicated to his fallen brother and became a local touchstone and grief document. People passed it around because they felt the pain. 35
- Before the buzz, that release and his mentorship put him at the center of the underground (for artists like Lil Moe 6Blocka). He helped young artists find studios and shooters. His co-signs pushed records beyond the block. 36
Musical Beginnings & Early Career

- Rooga is part of drill’s second wave, building on the sound introduced by Chief Keef and others to create something new. 37
- His early tracks served full drill energy dark melodies, heavy 808s, and lyrics as clear as a street report.
“Scrap is my lil brother who passed away… Scrappers is a way of representing my brother… when you say you a Scrapper, you gotta be damn near what Scrap was.” 38
- He handled everything independently uploading songs on YouTube and SoundCloud—and built a loyal local following on Chicago’s South and West Sides through tracks like “Blickathon” and “Knife in Me”.
- His JHE crew provided creative support and street credibility, reinforcing his authenticity in Chicago’s drill circles.
- Without major label resources, he relied on consistent releases and word-of-mouth to keep growing.
- While others shifted towards melodic or auto-tuned styles, Rooga stayed bar-centric and rooted in realism.
Breakthrough & Rise to Prominence (2019–2021)

2019: “Exposing Me (Remix)” with FBG Duck
In 2019, Rooga broke out with the “Exposing Me (Remix)” featuring his cousin FBG Duck. The track flipped a familiar drill beat into a sharp message during Chicago’s rivalries and quickly went viral. 39 It has got millions of YouTube views and widely spread on online drill forums. For many outside Chicago, it was the first time they saw Rooga’s fearless delivery match Duck’s level.
2019: Debut Mixtape Back Da F**k Up
In August 2019, Rooga dropped Back Da F**k Up, a 12-track mixtape that showed he could make more than single diss songs. Tracks like “Blickathon,” “Slide By” with FBG Duck, “Blood”, and “Feisty” highlighted his range within drill. The release cemented him as more than a battle rapper and gave local fans confidence in his consistency.
“Both Moe and I have been losing friends, losing brothers, and we’re tied by that bond. It’s hard to cope with it sometimes I just break down. When I get in the studio, I have to speak to it because it’s the only way people will understand us. There’s an emotional side to Chicago rap beyond just drill; we love drill, but we can be more than that.” 40
2020: “For Duck” Grief, Love, and Purpose
In 2020, the murder of his cousin FBG Duck marked a devastating moment for Rooga and the Chicago drill scene. Just weeks later he released “For Duck”, using music to grieve. 41 Fans heard both pain and maturity in the record, helping it spread well beyond local circles and showing Rooga’s evolution as more than just a street voice.
2021: Feature on Donda album (“Ok Ok” and “Ok Ok Pt. 2”)
Rooga recorded guest vocals on Kanye’s Donda, placing him on a #1 album and expanding his reach globally. 42
Legacy building beyond drill
Scrappers is seen by fans as a defining statement of Rooga’s voice, melding drill rhythms with social values and intentional mentorship. 43
Recent Projects & Developments (2022–2025)

2022: Consolidation and Reflection
Songs like “Journey”, “Old Rooga”, “You Gotta See Me”, and “Toxic” showed both his pain and his strength, balancing storytelling with street energy. 44 He worked independently without a label, keeping fans engaged through steady releases while maintaining quality. That year confirmed his role as both a voice for the streets and a guide for younger artists.
2023: Activity and Follow-Ups
Dropped “She Ain’t Proud”, “Front Door” with JHE Devo, “Throw It”, and “Scrappers Pt. 2” with Lil Moe 6Blocka. Each song carried a different tone from street storytelling to club fun. Ended the year with “Compete”, a track that underlined his grind and dared others to match his work ethic. Built strong chemistry with close collaborators like JHE Devo and Lil Moe 6Blocka. These songs showed the strength of his inner circle.
“You can’t stay in the city you damn near from. That’s where the hate comes from first, your own city… That’s the only way you’re going to secure the bag and secure your family and secure yourself.”
2024: Broader Palette and Features
Tracks like “Let You Down”, “Interview”, “Notice Me”, “Real Gang”, and “Stand Down” highlighted how he can move between themes of loyalty and personal reflection. Working with JHE AL kept family ties at the heart of his music and honored veterans. GD Anthem and other older songs went viral on social media again. His balance of storytelling and energy tracks displayed maturity and artistic growth.
2025: Veteran Energy and Experimentation
In 2025, Rooga linked with Chicago veteran King Louie on “Uh”, which honored city lineage and connected two generations of drill. 45 He followed with “Echoes of Silence” and “Velvet Nights” that explored darker and smoother sounds while staying true to drill. The track “Steppaz Come” marked a collaboration outside Chicago and showed he was building his name beyond the local scene. On stage, he kept headlining shows and always closed with GD Anthem, which turned venues into chant halls and became his trademark. Rumors spread about a debut album but he stayed focused on singles, which gave him freedom and kept fans satisfied.
✅ Verified Instagram Facts
- On Instagram, Rooga goes by “Big Roog” a name that reflects both his stature and his confidence in drill. His page serves as more than fan updates; it gives a professional profile with booking and beat inquiries handled directly through email. 46
- Rooga lets his fans see the father side of him. In April 2025 he marked his son’s 7th birthday with the caption “Happy 7th bday son you growing up on me 👑🎉🎂…” 47
- Rooga’s IG often highlights local fashion. On August 4th 2025, he tagged Trappers Paradise, supporting an indie clothing brand rooted in the streets. 48
- New tracks often debut on his socials. On June 4th 2025, Rooga shared “G’z in da Crib (Remix)” in a post that made clear the song had arrived. 49
- By late summer Rooga dropped “A To Z” and “NEIGHBORS” with the caption “OUT NOW… I’M BACK IN THAT MODE.” A second Reel in the same week showed his consistency—turning Instagram into both a billboard and a diary. 50
- He followed up with another Reel that same week to build momentum. 51
Controversies

- “GD Anthem” at Donda sparked debate: Kanye’s Chicago show played Rooga’s “GD Anthem” which surprised many and kicked off wide discourse about gang symbolism on a stadium stage. 52
- Crowd reaction became part of the controversy: Local fans knew the chant and responded in unison while outsiders were confused.
- Media framed the night as “creative and controversial”: Coverage called the Donda event a mix of spectacle and contradictions with Rooga’s moment folded into that tension. 53
- Song placement raised eyebrows: “GD Anthem” played right before a track involving Lil Durk, which added confusion given Chicago’s faction history and fueled online chatter. 54
“When I made ‘GD Anthem’ it was about pride and giving people a voice. What happened at Donda wasn’t about disrespect or starting beef, it was about showing Chicago’s culture on the biggest stage. People on the outside don’t always understand that but for us it was history.”
- Fans publicly debated the meaning: Reddit threads asked why “GD Anthem” was used at the show and what it signaled, reflecting a split between locals and national viewers. 55
- Press labeled the record “controversial”: Coverage noted the song’s viral rise and the controversy attached to it which intensified once it hit the Donda stage. 56
- Larry Hoover Jr. context added heat: His presence and message at Donda—followed by “GD Anthem” was read by some as symbolic and by others as provocative. 57
- Rooga addressed faction narratives: He publicly clarified that Chicago is not a simple GD vs BD war story, pushing back on the way outsiders read the moment.
- Remix rumors stirred more discourse: Reports that Kanye and Offset might appear on a “GD Anthem” remix kept the conversation alive and split opinions on normalization versus spotlight. 58
- Durk questions and “beef” talk were tempered: Later coverage framed any tension as mostly narrative, with Rooga indicating he was not worried and avoided escalation. 59
Discography (Highlights & Key Dates)

| Title / Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Exposing Me (Remix) – FBG Duck feat. Rooga (2019) | Viral diss; YouTube traction; introduced Rooga globally |
| Knife in Me (Jan 2020) | Early 2020 drill single |
| For Duck (Oct 2020) | Tribute track; grief and plea for peace |
| Gangsta Party (Jan 2021) | High energy opener |
| Do Bout It (Apr 2021; re-release Feb 2022) | Hook-heavy drill record |
| Horizon (Apr 2021) | Dark cinematic drill |
| GD Anthem (July 2021) | Culture-shifting chant; Kanye’s Donda event |
| No Love – Lil Moe 6Blocka & Rooga (July 2021) | Lead single to Scrappers |
| Donda (Aug 2021) | Rooga featured on 'Ok Ok' & 'Ok Ok Pt. 2' |
| Journey (Feb 2022) | Reflective track |
| Old Rooga (May 2022) | Independent release; core mantra |
| You Gotta See Me (July 2022) | Confident drill track |
| Toxic (Sept 2022) | Trust and betrayal theme |
| She Ain’t Proud (May 2023) | Personal and emotional track |
| Front Door (May 2023) | With JHE Devo; scenario drill |
| Throw It (June 2023) | Club-ready release |
| Scrappers Pt. 2 (Oct 2023) | Collab with Lil Moe 6Blocka |
| Compete (Dec 2023) | Grind-focused anthem |
| Let You Down (Feb 2024) | Promise to supporters |
| Interview (Apr 2024) | Self-reflective record |
| Notice Me (June 2024) | Collab with T.A.E |
| Real Gang (2024) | Loyalty and values |
| Stand Down (Sept 2024) | Collab with JHE AL; family link |
| Uh (Jan 2025) | Collab with King Louie |
| Echoes of Silence (Apr 2025) | Moody reflective song |
| Velvet Nights (May 2025) | Smooth late-night vibe |
| Steppaz Come (Aug 2025) | Collab with 414BigFrank |
| Back Da F*** Up (Aug 2019) | Debut 12-track mixtape |
| For Duck (EP) (Oct 2020) | 4-track memorial project |
| Scrappers (July 2021) | With Lil Moe 6Blocka; loss & mentorship |
Fan Connections, Mentorship & Community Impact

- He publicly calls for Chicago artists to come together, turning unity into a message he repeats beyond music. 60
- He responded to a fan on X who thanked him for running “Scrapp Gang,” calling it an honor and saying “we building together.”
- On Reddit, one fan wrote, “He’s been my favorite drill artist for a few years. Scrapp Gang is one of the best drill songs ever made.” 61
- Another Redditor praised Rooga for “pushing for peace,” writing about how he and Memo600 talked solutions, not just street stories. 62
“I just want to show the youth you can do something different, you don’t gotta crash out. You can turn pain into something powerful.”
- On X, he tagged himself and Lil Moe 6Blocka “#ScrappFamily” on a repost of fan art, reinforcing loyalty and shared identity.
- A Reddit thread noted how I Am Scrapp circulated “hand to hand” and “felt like a grief diary for O’Block,” showing its emotional reach. 63
- On YouTube comments under GD Anthem, dozens wrote “this is healing Chicago,” turning a drill track into a community latch.
- He used Instagram Stories to ask fans what songs they wanted next, then dropped “Velvet Nights” shortly after fans said “you heard us.” 64
Comparisons with Peers & Position in the Scene

- Rooga is often seen as a counterweight to major label stars like Lil Durk, whose number one album 7220 represents a very different route to success. 65
- His delivery is bar heavy and closer to Lil Bibby’s sharp and direct style rather than the melody focused drill that became popular with others.
- In tone, his reflective streak reminds many of Fredo Santana whose honesty and pain shaped his legacy and was noted in tributes after his death.
- Within his own family, he carries the spirit of FBG Duck whose influence and tragic loss gave Rooga’s memorial songs a deeper meaning.
- The Donda stage placed him next to global names at Soldier Field and brought his music to new audiences while keeping his raw Chicago voice intact.
- Even before the Kanye spotlight, he was making full projects, and his 2019 tape “Back Da F**k Up” proved he could do more than drop singles.
- He chooses his collaborations carefully and in 2025 worked with Chicago veteran King Louie on the track “Uh”, which showed his ability to link generations while staying focused.
- Recent singles list Jet High Entertainment as the imprint, which signals his continued independence while his name grows bigger. 66
Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.
📌 Show Footnotes
- Source: YouTube “GD Anthem” Official Video[↩]
- Source: South Side Weekly / VladTV excerpt[↩]
- Source: Kanye West Wiki (Fandom) Rooga[↩]
- Source: Last.fm – Rooga artist wiki[↩]
- Source: Spotify – Rooga artist page[↩]
- Source: Last.fm – birth year/date[↩]
- Source: Britannica – Libra dates[↩]
- Source: Spotify – This Is Rooga playlist[↩]
- Source: Instagram – @jhe_rooga bio (“JHE”)[↩]
- Source: HNHH – “GD Anthem” context[↩]
- Source: Apple Music – top songs list[↩]
- Source: Wikipedia – “Ok Ok, Pt. 2” credits[↩]
- Source: REVOLT – Soldier Field recap[↩]
- Source: Grungecake – coverage[↩]
- Source: Apple Music – Scrappers (Capitol)[↩]
- Source: Spotify – “Uh” track page[↩]
- Source: Spotify – single[↩]
- Source: Spotify – single[↩]
- Source: YouTube – Soldier Field performance[↩]
- Source: X (Twitter) – @Real_Rooga[↩]
- Source: Instagram – official profile[↩]
- Source: X – official profile[↩]
- Source: YouTube – live clip[↩]
- Source: GQ – Donda collaborators[↩]
- Source: Instagram – 2025 promo reel[↩]
- Source: HipHop Scriptures Bio[↩]
- Source: VladTV Interview[↩]
- Source: “GD Anthem” Official Video[↩]
- Source: HipHopCanada[↩]
- Source: No Jumper Clip[↩]
- Source: “For Duck” Official Video[↩]
- Source: No Jumper Interview[↩]
- Source: 16ShotEm Visualz JHE Meaning[↩]
- Source: JHE Rooga YouTube Channel[↩]
- Source: The Garnette Report[↩]
- Source: OutNow Magazine[↩]
- Source: Wikipedia Drill Music[↩]
- Source: Clark St. Studio Q&A[↩]
- Source: Genius “Exposing Me (Remix)” lyrics[↩]
- Source: Grungecake interview[↩]
- Source: Genius “For Duck” lyrics[↩]
- Source: Wikipedia Donda album[↩]
- Source: Reddit Scrappers fan review thread[↩]
- Source: HipHopDX Journey video drop[↩]
- Source: YT Uh (feat. King Louie)[↩]
- Source: Instagram @jhe_rooga[↩]
- Source: Instagram Birthday Post[↩]
- Source: Instagram Apparel Post[↩]
- Source: Instagram Remix Post[↩]
- Source: Instagram Neighbors Reel[↩]
- Source: Instagram Neighbors Promo Reel[↩]
- Source: The FADER Donda Chicago liveblog[↩]
- Source: Chicago Defender Donda experience[↩]
- Source: HotNewHipHop event reaction[↩]
- Source: Reddit r/Kanye discussion[↩]
- Source: HotNewHipHop “controversial nature” mention[↩]
- Source: HotNewHipHop Larry Hoover Jr. on Donda[↩]
- Source: AllHipHop remix report[↩]
- Source: HotNewHipHop Adam22 asks about Durk “beef”[↩]
- Source: IG TruthTellerTV post[↩]
- Source: r/Chiraqology comment[↩]
- Source: r/Chiraqology post[↩]
- Source: r/Chiraqology post[↩]
- Source: Instagram Story thread[↩]
- Source: Wikipedia Lil Durk’s 7220[↩]
- Source: Apple Music “She Ain’t Proud”[↩]




