{{Short description|American rapper (born 2002)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dro Kenji | image = Dro Kenji x Census X Rio Leyva Internet Money studio vlog.png | alias = | image_size = | caption = Jenrette in 2022. | birth_name = Daniel Jerome Jenrette<ref name=ascap>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/performer/DRO%20KENJI|title=Information on Dro Kenji's songs in ASCAP ACE database|website=ASCAP|access-date=2022-09-30}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|1|11}} | birth_place = Summerville, South Carolina, U.S.<ref name="XXL1">{{Cite web|title=The Break Presents: Dro Kenji |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/dro-kenji-interview-the-break/|access-date=2022-11-05|website=XXL|date=23 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> | origin = | years_active = 2019–present<ref name=XXL1/> | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap|emo rap}} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|singer|record producer}} | label = {{flatlist| * MiraTouch<ref name="10K">https://www.10kprojects.com/partners/dro-kenji</ref> * Internet Money<ref name="XXL1"/> * 10K<ref name="XXL1"/> }} }}
'''Daniel Jerome Jenrette'''<ref name="ascap"/> (born January 11, 2002),<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Fred|title=Dro Kenji – Biography|work=Allmusic|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0004026046|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=2022-11-05}}</ref> known professionally as '''Dro Kenji''', is an American rapper.<ref name="XXL1"/> He is currently signed to record producer Nick Mira's MiraTouch label, Internet Money Records, and 10K Projects.<ref name="10K"/><ref name="XXL1"/>
==Career== In 2019, at the age of 17, Dro Kenji started rapping. Kenji's name was inspired by his nickname "Dro," which his dad gave him, and he derived the name Kenji from "Benji." However, he found "Benji" to be corny, so he reworded it to Kenji.<ref name="ogminterviewdrokenji">{{Cite web |title=Dro Kenji's first interview, talks newest release “Eat Your Heart Out” |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WFKQTL_DQY |website=YouTube |publisher=Our Generation Music|access-date=2025-12-02}}</ref> In June 2021, he released his fourth studio album, ''F*ck Your Feelings''.<ref name="hiphopdx">{{Cite web|title=NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – NEW ALBUMS FROM H.E.R., MIGOS, GUCCI MANE, DRO KENJI, METRO MARRS + MORE |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.62736/title.new-music-friday-new-albums-from-h-e-r-migos-gucci-mane-dro-kenji-metro-marrs-more|access-date=2022-11-05|website=HipHopDx|date=17 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In January 2022, he released his fifth studio album, ''With or Without You'', with appearances from Scorey, Highway, and Internet Money.<ref name="hotnew">{{Cite web|title=Dro Kenji Is Here "WITH OR WITHOUT YOU" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/371586-dro-kenji-is-here-with-or-without-you-new-mixtape|access-date=2022-11-05|website=HotNewHipHop|date=29 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In August 2022, he released his sixth studio album, ''Anywhere But Here'', with appearances from DC the Don, Mike Dimes, NoCap, Ka$hdami, and midwxst. On August 18, 2023, he released his seventh studio album, ''Wish You Were Here'', with appearances from Mike Dimes and Powers Pleasant .<ref name="hotnew2">{{Cite web|title=Dro Kenji Nabs Features From Mike Dimes, NoCap & More On "ANYWHERE BUT HERE" Album|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/412076-dro-kenji-nabs-features-from-mike-dimes-nocap-and-more-on-anywhere-but-here-album-new-mixtape|access-date=2022-11-05|website=HotNewHipHop|date=26 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> On February 14, 2025, Kenji would follow through with his eighth studio album, ''LOVE KILLS'', the album was executively produced by Census.<ref name="HotNewHipHopLoveKills">"Dro Kenji Has A Surplus Of Heaters On Latest Album 'LOVE KILLS'". ''HotNewHipHop''. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-06. [https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/885908-dro-kenji-love-kills-stream]</ref>
==Personal life== Kenji's father was a member of the U.S. Army, he considered joining the army before he took rap seriously, because he didn't want to go to college.<ref name="ogminterviewdrokenji" /> Growing up, Kenji listened to artists such as Young Thug, Future, French Montana, Radiohead, Green Day, and Weezer. Kenji identifies himself as a spiritual person, and he likes taking scenic photos of nature. He always wears a purple jasper pendant, paired with an amethyst ring. <ref name="XXL1"/> In an interview with Everything Colossal, Kenji stated how his favorite anime is ''One Piece'', and he was more onto manga than the anime series.<ref name="YouTube_yhHIiZKIn9k">{{Cite web |title=Dro Kenji Talks Chop Cheese's, Anime, Call Of Duty + More Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhHIiZKIn9k |website=YouTube |publisher=Everything Colossal |access-date=2025-12-06}}</ref>
== Discography == ===Albums=== '''Studio albums''' {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |- ! scope="row"|''Tears and Pistols'' | * Released: November 13, 2020<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0zR1NBAMeUGmXhjrJ3ViPd?si=JZZbCcB3SdWOiLccMqY9dA|title=Tears and Pistols – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- ! scope="row"|''Race Me to Hell'' | * Released: December 25, 2020<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/55s0fGJX9wvYdnTK4EqNjC|title=Race Me to Hell – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=December 25, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- ! scope="row"|''Eat Your Heart Out''<ref name="twt">{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/taztaylor/status/1343217848085172225 |title=INTERNET MONEY on Twitter: "3rd Kenji Album. January." |archive-date=27 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227153357/https://twitter.com/taztaylor/status/1343217848085172225 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> | * Released: February 26, 2021<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6jKFoCC2VYrb1MYYN4TAXC?si=m8ILA9KKS8GKCeGUvz1TIA|title=EAT YOUR HEART OUT – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=February 26, 2021|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- ! scope="row"|''Fuck Your Feelings'' | * Released: June 18, 2021<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6LqYhV7pTnrP9LsG6BUVfz?si=MDtsMB1KQ-Wpm5HugMDuVA|title=F*CK YOUR FEELINGS – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=June 18, 2021|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- ! scope="row"|''With or Without You'' | * Released: January 28, 2022<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/34SV634wGtLESb5QalBf32?si=TBRTAWKbTi6vxrzmakthPw|title=WITH OR WITHOUT YOU – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- ! scope="row"|''Anywhere but Here'' | * Released: August 26, 2022<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3lj9lqUr6MQxReCeV52SBo?si=fP80fa8RQT-iePq63CQkHw|title=ANYWHERE BUT HERE – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=August 26, 2022|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- ! scope="row"|''Wish You Were Here'' | * Released: August 18, 2023<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6H565RedLjINKxrjk1RBz6?si=57l0fZdlSdqIfMvbMgKzHQ|title=WISH YOU WERE HERE – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=August 18, 2023|access-date=August 25, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, LP, streaming |- |} '''Compilation albums''' {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |- ! scope="row"|''Headliners: Dro Kenji''
| * Released: September 23, 2021<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0vAvjwxsyDteiHpX9nw5M6?si=_4zh8Cw-S5K5yR2jJUqjkA|title=HEADLINERS: Dro Kenji – Compilation by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Universal Music Group * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |}
=== Mixtapes === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |- ! scope="row" |''Love Kills''
| * Released: February 14, 2025 * Label: 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | EP details |- ! scope="row"|''Lost in Here'' | * Released: August 5, 2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4URIzfA3qieoUfUmBRTwFS?si=LMgWSWK-RD6EdgOrZr0Ghw|title=LOST IN HERE – Album by Dro Kenji|website=Spotify |language=en-us|date=August 5, 2022|access-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |}
=== Singles === '''As lead artist''' {| class="wikitable sortable" !Title !Year !Album !Details |- |"Rokstarr" | rowspan="3" |2019 | rowspan="3" | Non-album singles | * Released: August 27, 2019 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Rob da Bank" | * Released: October 16, 2019 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Knot" <br><small>(with KobeKo)</small> | * Released: November 14, 2019 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Finnished" <br><small>(featuring KobeKo)</small> | rowspan="4" |2020 | rowspan="1" | ''Get Up Wit Me!'' | * Released: June 19, 2020 * Label: HAPPINESS4SALE * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Save Me" | rowspan="1" |''Pistols and Tears'' | * Released: November 10, 2020 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Up" |rowspan="2" |''Race Me to Hell'' | * Released: December 4, 2020 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Houdini" | * Released: December 21, 2020 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Superstar" | rowspan="3" |2021 | rowspan="1" | ''F*ck Your Feelings'' | * Released: April 2, 2021 * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Vanish" | rowspan="2" | ''With or Without You'' | * Released: October 29, 2021 * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Finders Keepers" <br><small>(featuring Scorey & Internet Money)</small> | * Released: December 10, 2021 * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Somebody I Know" <br><small>(with Era)</small> | rowspan="4" |2022 | rowspan="1" | Non-album singles | * Released: January 7, 2022 * Label: Self-released * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"They Don't Know" | rowspan="1" | ''Anywhere but Here'' | * Released: May 6, 2022 * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"My World" <br><small>(with KillBunk)</small> | rowspan="1" | ''Pilot'' | * Released: June 29, 2022 * Label: New 11 Records, Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Step Back" <br><small>(with Mike Dimes)</small> | rowspan="1" | ''Anywhere but Here'' | * Released: August 25, 2022 * Label: Internet Money Records, MiraTouch, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Arsonist" | rowspan="4" |2023 |WISH YOU WERE HERE | * Released: April 14, 2023 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"OVER & OVER" |WISH YOU WERE HERE | * Released: June 16, 2023 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"UDntLuvMe" | rowspan="2" | Non-album singles | * Released: February 17, 2023 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"CALM" | * Released: December 1, 2023 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"HEARTLESS" | rowspan="3" |2024 | rowspan="2" |Non-album singles | * Released: May 24, 2024 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Evil Twin" | * Released: September 27, 2024 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"AMSTERDAM" |LOVE KILLS | * Released: December 13, 2024 * Label: Internet Money Records, 10K Projects * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |} '''As featured artist''' {| class="wikitable sortable" !Title !Year !Album !Details |- |"Run em Down" <br><small>(Graham Lake & Avelino featuring Dro Kenji)</small> | rowspan="1" |2022 | rowspan="4" | Non-album singles | * Released: December 30, 2022 * Label: Universal Music AB, EMI Sweden * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"KISS 'N TELL" <br><small>(Mike Dimes featuring Dro Kenji)</small> | rowspan="3" |2023 | * Released: March 24, 2023 * Label: Since the 80's, CAMP BILLY * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"No Lies" <br><small>(Lucid Kidd featuring Dro Kenji)</small> | * Released: May 5, 2023 * Label: Martynas Music, under exclusive license to INVTBL * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"DO NOT DISTURB" <br><small>(with Mike Dimes)</small> | * Released: October 13, 2023 * Label: Since the 80's, CAMP BILLY * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"In My Head" <small>(DJ Topgun featuring Dro Kenji)</small> | rowspan="2" |2024 | rowspan="2" |IN MY HEAD / DAMN | rowspan="2" | * Released: August 16, 2024 * Label: Copyright Control, Rave Star * Format: Digital download, streaming |- |"Damn" <small>(DJ Topgun featuring Dro Kenji)</small> |}
==Musical style== Steve Juon writing for Rap Reviews describes Dro Kenji's music in the following manner: "His music is not an evolution, a revolution, or any kind of solution. It's just the same nihilistic world view of a generation that grew up in a world where you had to live it up fast because Death comes even faster."<ref name="rapreviews">{{Cite web|title=DRO KENJI :: LOST IN HERE |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2022/09/dro-kenji-lost-in-here/|access-date=2022-11-05|website=RapReviews|language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{AllMusic|id=dro-kenji-mn0004026046/}} * [https://genius.com/artists/Dro-kenji Dro Kenji] at Genius
{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|South Carolina|United States}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Living people Category:21st-century American rappers Category:2002 births Category:Rappers from South Carolina Category:21st-century African-American male rappers Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:21st-century American male rappers Category:People from South Carolina Category:10K Projects artists Category:Long stubs with short prose
{{US-hiphop-bio-stub}}