Riding that Wave

 

Rod Wave is an interesting character. A Florida native with a flow somewhat reminiscent of the late great Notorious B.I.G. (you don’t get any higher compliment than that, really) only with a contemporary Trap feel to it, the artist’s profile has been steadily rising in recent years, as he went from local celebrity to global chart topper in what feels like a minute. Starting in 2019, the man has been releasing a new album every year (following several acclaimed mixtapes), along with incessant touring brought to a halt only by the pandemic we all know about. His third effort, SoulFly, had him up there last week, as he overtook the #1 spot on the landmark Billboard 200 charts…

Rod Wave’s life is as storied as they come, too. Coming from extremely humble beginnings, with a father who intimately knows what a jail cell looks like, he had his own run-ins with the law but managed to avoid any serious fallout. Interestingly, he is now close to his father — and his mother alike — and has managed to keep a relatively low profile for a rapper of his growing fame. A recent guest on The Breakfast Club, he commented on the fact that too many fellow rappers were getting killed (see: Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle, Juice WRLD…) and that he was being extremely cautious as a consequence.  Smart thinking, if you don’t mind us saying…

Wave still faced tragedy recently as he was involved in a near-fatal car crash in 2020, around the time that he became a father to twin daughters. The mother of his children happens to be a young woman he met before he was effectively famous, a point he makes clear is crucial as he became weary of hangers-by attracted by fame only. There you have it: Rod Wave is an extremely talented musician who landed the #1 spot on Billboard, has girlfriend and two children, managed to overcome serious adversity to get there… and is only 21 years old.

That’s right: the phenomenon that dethroned Justin Bieber is barely of drinking age (in the US)! Which makes all his achievements and remarkable wisdom all the more incredible: Rod Wave is essentially the perfect embodiment of the “wise beyond his years” expression… This week, SoulFly fell to the #3 spot on Billboard. Still, not too shabby, and we very much hope the artist is only just getting started!