Rodarius Marcell Green, professionally known as Rod Wave, stands as an eminent American rapper and singer, having secured a significant spot within the music industry. Aligned with Alamo Records, Green has masterfully blended his robust vocal prowess with elements of hip-hop and R&B, effectively pioneering the subgenre of soul-trap.
The apex of Wave’s prominence emerged with the release of his viral 2019 single “Heart on Ice,” a track that achieved widespread recognition on YouTube and TikTok, culminating in an impressive peak at the 25th position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Notably, Wave’s inaugural album, titled “Ghetto Gospel” (2019), soared to an impressive peak at number 10 on the revered US Billboard 200 chart.
The subsequent release, “Pray 4 Love” (2020), further solidified his standing by securing the second spot on the Billboard 200. The album featured the chart-topping single “Rags2Riches,” which ascended to the 12th rank on the Hot 100 chart. Proving his mettle once again, Wave’s third creation, “SoulFly” (2021), made a triumphant debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200, marking a remarkable milestone in his career.
Career Progression
During the period spanning 2016 to 2020, Wave embarked on his musical journey with the release of his mixtape “Hunger Games Vol.1” 2016, which served as the initial step towards his eventual collaboration with Alamo Records. His independent efforts were marked by the release of several mixtapes, a prelude to his recognition in the industry. On June 14, 2019, his mixtape “PTSD” entered the scene, containing the track “Heart on Ice” which achieved virality on YouTube and TikTok, leading to a commendable 25th position on the Billboard Hot 100.
Wave’s debut album, “Ghetto Gospel,” saw the light of day on November 1, 2019, reaching an impressive zenith at the 10th rank on the esteemed US Billboard 200 chart. Notably, the collaborative track “Cuban Links” featuring Wave and Kevin Gates achieved a notable peak at #92 on the Billboard charts.
Subsequent Endeavors
Following the triumph of his first album, Wave released his second opus, “Pray 4 Love,” on April 3, 2020. This endeavor debuted remarkably at the second position on the Billboard 200 chart. The deluxe edition of the album followed on August 7. Several tracks from this album, including “s” featuring ATR Son Son, secured positions on the Billboard Hot 100, with “s” achieving an impressive peak at number 12, becoming his highest-charting achievement. Wave’s eminence was further affirmed when he was selected for inclusion in XXL’s 2020 Freshman Class.
Continued Evolution
In the subsequent years, Wave continued his musical evolution. On March 6, 2021, he unveiled the tracklist for his album “SoulFly,” which featured notable tracks like “Street Runner” and “Tombstone.” The latter achieved considerable recognition, peaking at the 11th position on the Hot 100 chart. The release of the song “Nirvana” in late 2021 stirred controversy due to its perceived content, though Wave refuted claims that it was a suicide note.
As of January 2022, Wave introduced the single “Cold December,” and in May 2022, he surprised fans with a freestyle rendition of Future’s “Wait for U,” along with the announcement of his forthcoming album titled “Beautiful Mind.” The album, submitted on April 25, 2022, saw its official release on August 12, 2022.
Post the album’s launch, Wave embarked on a tour that traversed the United States, commencing on November 11, 2022, and concluding on December 21, 2022, in Seattle, WA. During this tour, Wave was accompanied by fellow artists Toosi and Mariah the Scientist, both of whom played opening acts at various cities.
Furthermore, on November 18, 2022, Wave unveiled the extended play “Jupiter’s Diary: 7 Day Theory,” featuring eight tracks. Among these, the song “Break My Heart” achieved the 76th position on the Billboard charts, further underscoring his continued artistic prowess and relevance within the music industry.