Rowdy Rebel

Early life

Rowdy Rebel grew up in a neighborhood known as "the 90s" in Brooklyn's East Flatbush area. People in his neighborhood referred to him as "Rowdy" as a child, which is the genesis for his stage name. Many members of GS9 (including Shmurda) originated in the same East Flatbush locale.

Career

Rowdy Rebel achieved fame in 2014 with the rise of his GS9 cohort, Bobby Shmurda. He was signed to Epic Records in July 2014 just two weeks after Shmurda signed his deal with Epic. Lil D was featured on a remix of Shmurda's "Hot Nigga" with big name acts like Fabolous, Jadakiss, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, and Yo Gotti. He has also released several singles, including "Computers" which was featured on GS9's Shmoney Shmurda (Shmixtape). In October 2014, he released a single entitled "Beam Jawn" which did not include any features from the GS9 crew or other artists.

Much of Rowdy Rebel's music contains references to the block where he grew up. Rowdy has noted that he and other GS9 members talk about friends from the neighborhood "to keep their names alive." Despite the fact that only he and Bobby Shmurda have been signed to Epic Records, one of their primary goals is to help other GS9 members get record contracts.

On December 17, 2014, Rowdy was arrested by the NYPD for conspiracy, attempted murder, attempted assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon. Bobby Shmurda was also arrested as were 13 others associated with a gang also called GS9, for various other charges including drug dealing. Rebel plead not guilty to all charges.