Rod Wave is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He gained popularity in the music industry with his emotional and introspective style of music that often touches on personal struggles, relationships, and his upbringing.
He released his debut mixtape, "Hunger Games," in 2017, but it was his 2019 project, "Ghetto Gospel," that brought him significant recognition and success. The album featured the hit single "Heart on Ice," which resonated with many listeners and helped establish Rod Wave as a rising star in the hip-hop and R&B scene.
Since then, Rod Wave has continued to release successful projects, including albums like "Pray 4 Love" (2020) and "SoulFly" (2021), further solidifying his presence in the music industry and earning him a dedicated fanbase.
His music often showcases his unique vocal delivery, emotional vulnerability, and relatable lyrics, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate heartfelt and authentic storytelling in their music.
Before achieving success and collaborating with artists like YNW Melly, Gloknine, MoneyBagg Yo, and Kevin Gates, Rod Wave's journey to the music industry wasn't straightforward. He had been singing since the 5th grade, but he never thought he could have a career in music.
Rod Wave described himself as an extremely shy individual and wasn't active on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Initially, he was reluctant to pursue a career in rap and felt that making noise to get attention wasn't authentic to who he was. He saw himself as a regular person who just made good music.
Having faced some troubles, including stints in Juvenile Detention centers and serving house arrest, Rod Wave decided to turn his life around and take his talents seriously. His father and brother supported his musical aspirations, with his father buying him a microphone and his brother gifting him a computer for producing his earliest work.
Rod Wave was born Rodarious Marcell Green on August 27th, 1999 in St. Petersburg, Florida. He faced challenges early on due to his parents' separation and his family's financial situation. He found himself involved in hustling to make money after his father got incarcerated, and he had to move away from his brother and live with female relatives.
While attending Lakewood High School, Rod engaged in illegal activities, including selling drugs, breaking into cars, and robbing houses, which led to him getting caught and spending time in Juvenile Detention centers. However, he also gained some attention for his singing skills through videos posted by his peers.
Ultimately, Rod Wave's determination and talent propelled him to success, with millions of followers on social media and a thriving music career.
Rod Wave's journey with music started in the 5th grade, where he began singing, encouraged by his older brother. He developed a strong love for music and was deeply inspired by Kanye West's "College Dropout" album, which he found refreshing and genuine compared to the violent themes prevalent in other music at the time.
Rod also listened to Boosie and Kevin Gates, and his father remained supportive during his time in jail, recognizing his son's talent and gifting him a microphone upon his release. His big brother also played a role by giving him a computer, which he might have come across through unconventional means.
Using this basic setup, Rod started making music for fun, not expecting much to come of it. However, in 2016, his producer realized the potential of their work and, with Rod's approval, released his deeply personal tracks online, gaining local attention.
Word of mouth initially spread the music, but when it reached beyond St. Petersburg, Rod knew he was onto something big. "Heartbreak Hotel" became his breakout single, amassing over a million views on YouTube.
Other noteworthy tracks included "Think Too Much," "Gambling," and "Hunger Games," which was also the title of his first mixtape released in late 2016.
From there, Rod's popularity grew rapidly, leading to local shows and bookings in various US cities. In 2017, he released his next project, "Rookie of the Year," gaining traction on platforms like iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube.
His success caught the attention of Alamo Records, and he collaborated with big names like YNW Melly, Gloknine, MoneyBagg Yo, and Kevin Gates.
In the same year, he released the third installment of the "Hunger Games" mixtape and relocated to Atlanta, purchasing a new home and a car for a family member.
He performed at Rolling Loud in Miami and, when asked about his future and potential fame, Rod expressed his love for making music that connects with people through themes of love, pain, and everyday struggles, believing that such honest content will have a lasting impact. He confidently proclaimed himself the "Next big n**** out the bottom."