The Life of Rodarius Marcell Green
Thesis Statment
Among the greatest artists of all time is Rod Wave. His music makes him the best, in my opinion. His music is his journal; he doesn’t just talk about shooting guns or having several relationships like other artists. He discusses his upbringing, his parents, and his own experiences adjusting to public attention. Many people dislike him because he expresses his emotions, but they must hear what he has to say.
Early Life
Rodarius Marcell Green, known by his stage name Rod Wave, was born on August 27, 1998, in St. Petersburg, Florida. When he was in elementary school, Wave’s parents had a divorce. To add to it, his father went to jail. With his family unable to support him, he turned to the streets to make money. Wave found himself going in and out of juvenile centers, being involved with several illegal activities, including dealing drugs, robbing, breaking into homes, and possessing firearms. Wave’s father, later on, got out of jail and quickly realized the type of lifestyle his son was leading. To push him in the right direction, his father encouraged him to pursue music. He bought him a microphone while his brother bought him a computer. With these, Wave was given the tools he needed to turn his life around.
Influencers
Rod Wave says 2Pac as one of his biggest influences because he feels that the late rapper actually had a message. “‘Pac laid the blueprint,” he told Billboard “If you’re gonna make music and you’re gonna send a message, make it mean something and try to change the world and hopefully end up doing it. Don’t be up there, bouncing around being a damn clown.”
Rod Wave has named Kanye West as a huge influence that has continued to inspire his work. After Rod’s accident in early 2020, when he almost died, he found Kanye to be a kindred soul who had also been in an accident early in his career. Kanye spoke about it in his debut album, especially in the song “Through the Wire.” So as a homage, Rod Wave wrote about his near-death experience and titled the song “Through the Wire” as well.
This theme of admiring storytellers in the music world comes up again in his admiration for Adele, who he says can portray her emotions in her lyrics and through her voice very well, specifically her pain.
Early Career
To his surprise, he started getting local buzz, showing him that there was potential in his music. Soon after, he signed with Alamo Records, where he collaborated with artists such as Moneybagg Yo. In 2019, he released his mixtape PTSD, in which the single Heart on Ice became a viral sensation on TikTok and other social media platforms. The song achieved commercial success, getting co-signs from big names, including 21 Savage and Meek Mill.
Middle Career
Keeping the momentum going, Wave released his first studio album, Ghetto Gospel, in the same year (2019). In 2020, he released his second studio album, Pray 4 Love, which entered the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts. A lot of artists use collaborations to push their album sales. But Wave chose not to feature anyone in this second project. He did so because the album was very personal for him, which is evident in his vulnerable vocal delivery throughout the work. Beneath the lush instrumentation and hard-hitting drums, there was a pain in his voice as he recalled many memories of his past. From one project to another, Wave proved himself as not just a rapper or singer but also a storyteller. He focuses on lyrics above all else as he always wants to shed more light on the theme of his songs, which are about everyday struggles. His songs are relatable, speaking to people who feel lost.
Wave has two RIAA-certified platinum albums, which are “Ghetto Gospel” and “Pray 4 Love.”
Career Today
Rod Wave continues to be one of the most popular rappers in the rap game today. He has released several successful singles and albums, and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry. He is set to continue to grow his fanbase in 2021 as he releases more music.
“Nostalgia,” Rod Wave’s new album, opens with the equivalent of 137,000 sales in the United States. “Nostalgia” was a big streaming hit, particularly on Apple Music, garnering 188 million clicks, according to Luminate, which tracks music data. Wave’s has scored his third No. 1 album in a row. “Nostalgia” is Rod Wave’s third straight No. 1, after “Beautiful Minds” last year and “Soulfly” in 2021; before that, his album “Pray 4 Love” peaked at No. 2. According to Luminate, Rod Wave, who began releasing mixtapes in 2017, has logged more than 15 billion career streams in the United States alone.
Quotes: Rod Wave once said …
“I feel like before music, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I didn’t know where I was going to end up. I was scared to even have people depending on me. I just wanted to get away and do my own thing. So if I fail, I fail on my own,”
“But now, I’m making music and actually living life and being the one that people depend on. It feels good. It gives me a reason to wake up. It gave me a purpose. It made me want to live and have kids. Live and see 50, 60. Because before music, I was ready to crash out.”
“My Darkest Times Taught Me To Shine.”
“My soul ain’t for this generation.”
Discography
Ghetto Gospel (2019)
- Released: November 1, 2019
- Label: Alamo Records, South Coast Music Group
- Singles: “Heart on Ice,” “Popular Loner”
Pray 4 Love (2020)
- Released: April 3, 2020
- Label: Alamo Records, South Coast Music Group
- Singles: “Thief in the Night,” “Pray 4 Love,” “Ribbon in the Sky”
Soulfly (2021)
- Released: March 26, 2021
- Label: Alamo Records, South Coast Music Group
- Singles: “Street Runner,” “Tombstone,” “Richer” (featuring Polo G)
Mixtapes:
Hunger Games 2 (2021)
Hunger Games (2017)
Hunger Games 3 (2018)
Hunger Games 4 (2021)
Rookie Of The Year (2017)
PTSD (2018)
Ghetto Gospel (Reloaded) (2019)
Pray 4 Love (Deluxe) (2020)
SoulFly (Deluxe) (2021)
This list includes his studio albums, mixtapes, and deluxe editions up to my last knowledge update. Rod Wave is known for his emotional and introspective style, and his discography reflects his journey and experiences. For the most up-to-date information, including any new releases or projects, I recommend checking official sources such as Rod Wave’s official website or social media profiles.
Conclusion
Rod Wave is the best out here!
Citation:
https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/10/22/rod-wave-bigger-than-ever-remains-man-of-the-people-at-milwaukee-concert-fiserv-forum-nostalgia-tour/71242320007/
https://www.unitedcenter.com/events/2023/11/22/rod-wave-nostalgia-tour/#:~:text=The%20Rod%20Wave%20%E2%80%93%20Nostalgia%20Tour,certified%20project%20of%20his%20career.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/arts/music/rod-wave-billboard-chart.html#:~:text=tracks%20music%20data.-,%E2%80%9CNostalgia%E2%80%9D%20is%20Rod%20Wave’s%20third%20straight%20No.,4%20Love%E2%80%9D%20peaked%20at%20No.
