Green was born on August 27, 1999, and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was raised by his mother and father, who eventually separated while he attended elementary school. He began singing in the fifth grade. Green attended Lakewood High School, from which he graduated in 2017.
Green's career began in 2018. 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. Green's debut album, Ghetto Gospel was released on November 1, 2019, and peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard 200.
Green's second album Pray 4 Love was released on April 3, 2020, debuting at number 2 on the Billboard 200, with a deluxe edition following on August 7. Several songs from the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Rags2Riches", which peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100 and became his highest-charting song. On August 11, 2020, Rod Wave was included in XXL's 2020 Freshman Class. He is currently working on his third, as yet untitled, album, which was originally set for release on August 27, 2020.
Blessed with a special singing voice, and the knowledge of how best to use it, Florida's Rod Wave is taking his own path to the top of the game. Coming through with a soulful set of Southern sing-raps, Rod has developed a groundswell of regional support through a prolific output that includes 3 projects in the last 12 months. After generating millions of streams with breakout singles โHeart On Iceโ and โPopular Loner,โ both off June 2019โs PTSD project, Rod levels up with Ghetto Gospel, his new project. With heavy use of organic instrumentation, including snaking electric guitars and warm organ swells, Ghetto Gospel gives a proper title to Rod's spiritual and nakedly-emotional blend of rap music, defined by Rod's unique singing ability, able to switch from a bluesy croon to rapid-fire triplets at a moments notice. Featuring the popular new single "Cuban Links," which features an appearance from Ghetto Gospel executive producer Kevin Gates, and the "Heart On Ice" (Remix), which features an appearance from Lil Durk, Ghetto Gospel is available everywhere.
Cuban Links
Rod Wave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pipe that shit up, TnT
Tre made this beat
Let's talk 'bout hard times, real bottom boy survivor
Way before the jewelry, the groupie hoes, and designer
Back when I was tryna find a way for all my partners
Rema hit the window, popped the door for me and Lijah
But I had some dedication, couldn't use my education
'Cause no nine dollars could help me face what I was facing
My light bill due, envelope blue, that mean you behind on payments
Rap slowed down and I was low on cash
Fresh out of high school, kicked out the house for living fast
Went and got a spot, then got a job, 'cause pops was on my ass
Then that's when pops had went to jail so it didn't last
Hit the block with Brock 'cause I was tryna pay my bills
Like fuck a rap career, let's touch these streets and make a mil'
Fast forward, like Rod Wave, tell me how you feel
When I think about my past, that shit give me chills, uh
Wake up in the morning, hit my knees, and I pray
Because He finally made a way
I been runnin' up that paper, mama
And before I let 'em come and take it, mama
I'ma die in these Cuban links
I'm gon' die in these Cuban links (bangers again)
Die in these Cuban links (right now today, let's go)
Die in these Cuban links (yes, Lord)
All my life it been a struggle
You on and fall off, you find out who really love you
Playin' in the storm drain, came out the gutter
Good relationships, I admit I had a couple
Making love to the money, me and bae lil' couple
Yola cooked down to the oil in it, don't switch around
I need everything when it lock in the pot, yeah
Grab it off the top, let it dry, work the clock, yeah
Finally up in rank, movin' blocks, holdin' sham, yeah
Havin' my lil' way, ghetto pussy used to act funny
Now I'm hittin' her hard from the back, she throw it back for me
And when I went to jail, shawty left, turned her back on me
Flexin' on they ass, pants sag with them racks on 'em
Wake up in the morning, hit my knees, and I pray
Because He finally made a way
I been runnin' up that paper, mama
And before I let 'em come and take it, mama
I'ma die in these Cuban links
I'm gon' die in these Cuban links
Die in these Cuban links
Die in these Cuban links
In "Cuban Links," Rod Wave reflects on his rise to fame from his humble beginnings as a "bottom boy survivor." He reminisces on his struggles before achieving success, when he was just trying to find a way to support his friends and himself. He credits his perseverance and faith for getting him through these rough times. He highlights the importance of his Cuban links, which serve as a symbol of his success and also represent his determination to never let anyone take away what he has worked so hard for.
Throughout the song, he makes references to his past mistakes, such as his expulsion from his house for "living fast." He also talks about his experiences with love and relationships, and how he has since learned who really loves him. He reflects on his journey with music and shares how he almost gave up on his dreams of a rap career when he was low on cash. However, his determination brought him back to the streets where he made enough money to pursue his passion.
Overall, the lyrics of "Cuban Links" speak to Rod Wave's story of resilience and determination. Through his struggles and hardships, he never gave up on his dreams of achieving success and living a better life. The song serves as a reminder to never let go of what you have worked hard for, and to remain grateful for the blessings that come your way.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's talk 'bout hard times, real bottom boy survivor
Let's discuss how I am a true survivor from the bottom who has faced many hardships
Way before the jewelry, the groupie hoes, and designer
Before I had any materialistic possessions or fame
Back when I was tryna find a way for all my partners
When I was struggling to find a way to help my friends
Rema hit the window, popped the door for me and Lijah
A friend named Rema helped me and my friend Lijah escape a dangerous situation
'Member wakin' up with no destination
Remembering days when I had no idea where my life was going
But I had some dedication, couldn't use my education
I had the determination to succeed, but my education wasn't enough to help me overcome my struggles
'Cause no nine dollars could help me face what I was facing
Not even a small amount of money could help me deal with my problems
My light bill due, envelope blue, that mean you behind on payments
I was struggling to pay my bills on time, and I knew I was behind on payments
Rap slowed down and I was low on cash
My music career was not making me enough money and I was struggling financially
Fresh out of high school, kicked out the house for living fast
I got kicked out of my house for living recklessly after graduating high school
Went and got a spot, then got a job, 'cause pops was on my ass
I had to get my own place and a job because my father was pressuring me to become independent
Then that's when pops had went to jail so it didn't last
My father went to jail, so my newly gained independence did not last long
Hit the block with Brock 'cause I was tryna pay my bills
I started doing illegal activities with my friend Brock to make ends meet
Like fuck a rap career, let's touch these streets and make a mil'
I gave up on my music career to make money through illegal activities with my friend Brock
Fast forward, like Rod Wave, tell me how you feel
Fast forward to now, like me, Rod Wave, tell me how you feel
When I think about my past, that shit give me chills, uh
When I think about my past, it sends chills down my spine
All my life it been a struggle
My entire life has been a difficult journey
You on and fall off, you find out who really love you
When you are successful, then fail, you discover who truly cares about you
Playin' in the storm drain, came out the gutter
I started from the bottom and worked my way up
Good relationships, I admit I had a couple
I have had a few positive relationships in my life
Making love to the money, me and bae lil' couple
I am fully committed to making money, it is like my significant other
Yola cooked down to the oil in it, don't switch around
I am very careful with my drug business and make sure to cook it properly
I need everything when it lock in the pot, yeah
I demand all the earnings from my illegal drug sales
Grab it off the top, let it dry, work the clock, yeah
I take my cut first, let it dry, and then work tirelessly to make more
Finally up in rank, movin' blocks, holdin' sham, yeah
I have risen up the ranks in the drug game, moving large amounts of it and holding onto the money/gains
Havin' my lil' way, ghetto pussy used to act funny
Now that I have money, the people I used to be interested in act differently towards me
Now I'm hittin' her hard from the back, she throw it back for me
Now that I have become successful, I am satisfying my sexual desires with someone who used to ignore me
And when I went to jail, shawty left, turned her back on me
When I was arrested, the woman I was involved with abandoned me
Flexin' on they ass, pants sag with them racks on 'em
I am flaunting my success in front of those who doubted me, showing off the money in my sagging pants
Wake up in the morning, hit my knees, and I pray
I start each day by praying on my knees
Because He finally made a way
Because God has finally made a path for me to succeed
I been runnin' up that paper, mama
I have been working hard to earn money
And before I let 'em come and take it, mama
I would rather die than let others take away my money and success
I'ma die in these Cuban links
I will always cherish and wear my expensive Cuban necklaces, even in death
I'm gon' die in these Cuban links (bangers again)
My passion for music and success will never die, represented by my Cuban links and continued success
Die in these Cuban links (right now today, let's go)
I am determined to maintain my success and die while wearing my Cuban links
Die in these Cuban links (yes, Lord)
I am grateful for my success and ready to die while reveling in it
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aaron Tago, Frank D. Gilliam, Kevin Gates, Rodarius M. Green, Thomas Horton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MK-fg6xg
This how many people feel rodwave underrated
๐๐พ
@Sweettea727Sweettea727
He from the burg bitch.... ain't no underrate it's just people hating on lil bruh but it's all good he got dis... Sweettea727 on YouTube fwm baby
@AndreRichardsonJr
Naw most definitely ppl from around the world know about Rod wave he is the new wave
@jwaechannel733
https://youtu.be/f1lm30tkBeA
@1Tremar
Andre Richardson not around the world bro but he fasho on the come up I think he can get there fasho ๐ฏ he not underrated just a upcoming rapper ๐ฏ
@MachineGunMouth
@@Sweettea727Sweettea727 dude is a Mo3 wannabe. Fuck outta here...
@emmanuelgriffin9749
Struggle is apart of life...Keep going & keep GROWING ๐ช๐พ
@dariyotv9506
No cAp thanks ima blow up and be great
@ttvnocapaa
This song makes my everyday struggle go away . Thank you rod wave
@user-bn9es1vo6e
The people that disliked this song should get their covid test, because one of the main symptoms is no taste!