Rod Wave

Rodarius Marcell Green (born August 27, 1998), known professionally as Rod Wave, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Signed to Alamo Records, Green is known for his strong voice and incorporation of hip hop and R&B, having been recognized as a pioneer of "soul-trap."

Green rose to fame with his 2019 single "Heart on Ice," which first went viral on TikTok and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, Ghetto Gospel (2019) peaked at number ten on the US Billboard 200. His second album, Pray 4 Love (2020) peaked at number two on the chart and included the song "Rags2Riches" (remixed featuring Lil Baby), which peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100.

His subsequent studio albums, SoulFly (2021), Beautiful Mind (2022), and Nostalgia (2023) each debuted atop the Billboard 200—the latter of which for multiple weeks—and earned him further critical acclaim for his soulful delivery and lyricism. His success matched that of Taylor Swift as the only artist to debut a new chart-topping solo album within in each of the previous three years.

2015–2020: Early mixtapes, Ghetto Gospel, and Pray 4 Love
Wave's career began in 2015, with the release of his mixtape Hunger Games Vol.1. He released several mixtapes independently prior to signing with Alamo Records. On June 14, 2019, he released his mixtape PTSD, which included the song "Heart on Ice". The song went viral on YouTube and TikTok, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Wave's debut album, Ghetto Gospel, was released on November 1, 2019. It peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard 200. The album was executive produced by Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates, and Gates would feature on a song from the album "Cuban Links", which peaked at number 92 on the Hot 100.

Rod Wave's second album, Pray 4 Love, was released on April 3, 2020. It debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, with a deluxe edition following on August 7. Several songs from the album entered the Billboard Hot 100, including "Rags2Riches" (featuring ATR Son Son),  which peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100 and became his highest-charting song. On August 11, 2020, Wave was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class. In July 2020, Wave revealed during an interview that he was working on his third album, which was originally scheduled for August 27, 2020, Wave's 22nd birthday.

In April 2020, Rod Wave was selected by music streaming service Audiomack as the first artist in their "Up Now" emerging artist program. "Audiomack has been helping me get my music out there from the very beginning before people really knew who I was," the artist told Audiomack. "Continuing to work together with them is part of staying true to my core fans as I take the next step of the journey."

2021–2022: SoulFly, Beautiful Mind, and Jupiter's Diary: 7 Day Theory
He revealed the track list for his album SoulFly on March 6, 2021. The album also includes songs "Street Runner" and "Tombstone", his highest-charting song which peaked at number 11 on the Hot 100. In late 2021, Wave's release of the song "Nirvana" generated some controversy because many regarded the song as a suicide letter, which Wave denied.

In January 2022, Wave released the single "Cold December". On May 1, 2022, he released a freestyle of Future's "Wait for U", in which he revealed his next album would be titled Beautiful Mind, while also announcing that he had turned the album in on April 25, 2022. The album was released on August 12, 2022. After the album was released, he embarked on an accompanying tour which began November 11, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN. Wave traveled the United States, ending in Seattle, WA on December 21, 2022. The tour saw support from Toosii and Mariah the Scientist.

On November 10, 2022, Rod Wave released "Break My Heart", the lead single for his eight-track EP, Jupiter’s Diary: 7 Day Theory. The EP was released the following week, on November 18, 2022. It would peak at #9 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking Rod Wave's fourth top ten debut at the time of its release and was the highest charting new release of the week ending December 4, 2022.

2023-present: Nostalgia
On March 31, 2023, Rod Wave released "Fight the Feeling" as the lead single for his upcoming studio album. It peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying with "Tombstone" as his second-highest peak on the chart. Months later, on August 18, 2023, he released the album's second single, "Call Your Friends" which peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was followed by "Come See Me" on September 1, 2023, peaking at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On the week of the album's release, Rod Wave released the last two singles of the project, "Boyz Don't Cry" and "Checkmate" on September 13, 2023, and September 14, 2023. The two singles peaked at #25 and #55 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.

On September 15, 2023, Rod Wave released his fifth full-length studio album, Nostalgia, which featured guest appearances from Wet, 21 Savage, and Sadie Jean. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking Rod Wave's third #1 album.

Artistry
Wave has been recognized for his "candor and shrewd ability to tug at listeners' heartstrings". ABC News Radio's Rachel George noted that "music is a direct expression of Wave's life, which is why he's cautious yet open to working with other artists who share his passion".

Personal life
During his elementary school years, Wave experienced a challenging family situation when his parents divorced, and his father subsequently ended up in jail. Struggling with financial difficulties, his family found it challenging to provide the necessary support. As a result, Wave turned to the streets as a means to make a living. Unfortunately, this led him down a troubled path, involving multiple stints in juvenile centers and engagement in various illicit activities such as drug dealing, robbery, burglary, and possession of firearms.

Upon his father's release from jail, he recognized the destructive lifestyle his son was entangled in. Determined to steer Wave in a more positive direction, his father took a proactive approach. He encouraged Wave to channel his energy into music, recognizing its potential to transform his life. In support of this newfound passion, Wave's father purchased a microphone, while his brother contributed by buying him a computer. Equipped with these tools, Wave was provided with the means to redirect his life towards a more positive and constructive path.

Wave was raised on the sounds of E-40, Chingy, Boosie Badazz, Chief Keef, Kanye West, and Kevin Gates. Interestingly, he would later release tracks such as "Calabasas" with E-40 and "Cuban Links" and "Titanic" with Kevin Gates.

He has twin daughters with his long time girlfriend, Dee.

Legal issues
Wave was arrested in 2022 on a domestic violence charge which involved battery by strangulation during an altercation with an ex-girlfriend, only to have his lawyer successfully persuade State prosecution to accept a Nolle Pross/No Info agreement which saw the charge dropped after a couple of weeks.

In April 2024, Wave was arrested in Manatee County, Florida on two counts of illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon, with the case being related to a shooting which occurred on Easter Sunday outside the Sonic Sports Bar in St. Petersburg, Florida and saw four people injured. In a press conference, members of the St. Petersburg Police Department claimed that the shooting was gang related. Three men tied to Wave were arrested on charges related to the shooting as well. According to St. Petersburg Police Chief Mike Kovacsev, the three men tied to Wave who were apprehended (Christopher Atkins, Keith Westby and Kevontre Wesby) are allegedly connected to the Young Gangsters gang, and that two additional suspects were in the process of being arrested as well. Though Kovacsev did not accuse Wave of being a gang member, he noted that the two residencies where the Young Gangsters gang members were captured were rented by Rod, and that their getaway vehicle was registered to him as well. However, Wave was soon released, as it determined information provided about him being a convicted felon was inaccurate.

Discography

 * Ghetto Gospel (2019)
 * Pray 4 Love (2020)
 * SoulFly (2021)
 * Beautiful Mind (2022)
 * Nostalgia (2023)