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 “Heart On Ice” and “Popular Loner,” both off June 2019’s 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.
The Greatest
Rod Wave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had to run that bitch back
I swear, once they see where a nigga come from
All of this shit that you had to go through, bruh
They don't understand (I bet my last track probably gave you lockjaw, hey, Lilkdubb)
I have to die before somebody respect me
Young nigga from the bottom of the map
One false move, get whacked
Got the whole hood on his back
And it's just like that
For my niggas trapped in the trap
Pray to God we all make it back
Pray we all make it back
Gotta pray we all make it back
And I know it's wrong that I rap
But a street nigga first
Tell the crackers free Mac Deezy
Ma, look at your son, I'm on TV
They didn't believe me
Nigga went and got it off the greezy
It's hard, but I make it look easy
A crazy achievement
I don't really fuck with no rappers
All these niggas hustling backwards
Misguiding the youth
But long as I know the truth
That's another subject for after
And I'm riding in the Rover
12 keep on trying to pull me over
Asking a nigga if I stole it
I bought it, I own it
I remember walking to school
Catching the bus early morning
Like, Ma, I ain't going
I was in the hallways roaming
But I still got my diploma, I got my diploma
Went to school all twelve years
Just to get a job selling donuts, man, that's crazy
I ain't with the minimum waging
I ain't with the modern day slavery
The fuck is you saying?
Told the crackers, "Fuck you, pay me"
Had to tell 'em, "Fuck you, pay me"
It's back to the block
Well, I guess it's back to the block
In the streets running 'round playing hooky
And I ain't never sold no crack
But I'm so street, I can cook it
And I know it's hard to find a way
But you're bound to see brighter days
A million dollars can't change me, nigga
'Cause hard times made me, nigga
A hard grind saved me, nigga
I got it off the pavement, nigga
I got it off the pavement, my nigga
Young nigga from the bottom of the map
Came up riding with the strap
Young nigga got the hood on his back
He got the whole hood on his back, yeah
Didn't think you'd be who you are, my nigga
Didn't think you'd take it this far, my nigga
You like the greatest, you like the greatest to me
You like the greatest, you like the greatest to me
Give a fuck what they saying, you like the greatest to me, yeah
You like the greatest, you like the greatest to me
You like the greatest, you like the greatest to me
You like the greatest, you like the greatest to me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Fuck what they saying, you like the greatest to me, yeah
For real, okay, spit that shit however you spin it, bro
'Cause a nigga built off this shit, bruh, this shit in me, bro, for real
Uh-uh, ayy free C5, man, grrah
We ain't forget about you, my nigga
Grindin', baby
The song "The Greatest" by Rod Wave is a powerful ode to hard work, struggle, and perseverance in the face of adversity. His lyrics paint a vivid picture of his life growing up in the streets and the challenges he faced trying to make it as a rapper. One of the central themes of the song is the idea that success is hard-won and that those who come from nothing often have to fight twice as hard to be recognized and respected. The opening lines of the song set the tone, with Rod declaring that he had to "run that bitch back" so that others can see where he came from and appreciate the struggles he has overcome.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "you like the greatest to me" several times, underscoring the importance of self-belief and the idea that sometimes the only validation that matters is the belief that we have in ourselves. The verses that follow are unflinching in their depiction of the harsh realities of life on the streets, with references to the necessity of carrying a gun for protection, the prevalence of drug dealing and addiction, and the struggle to make ends meet.
Overall, "The Greatest" is a powerful anthem that speaks to the resilience and perseverance of those who come from nothing and are determined to make something of themselves. Rod Wave's lyrics are raw, honest, and deeply personal, reflecting his own experiences growing up in poverty and fighting to make it as a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
Had to run that bitch back
I had to replay the song because it speaks to my personal experience
I swear, once they see where a nigga come from
People don't really understand the struggles I've been through
All of this shit that you had to go through, bruh
The hardships I faced have made me who I am today
They don't understand (I bet my last track probably gave you lockjaw, hey, Lilkdubb)
Most people can't relate to my music and the pain behind it
I have to die before somebody respect me
I feel like people won't truly appreciate me until I'm gone
Young nigga from the bottom of the map
I come from the rough streets at the bottom of the geographical map
Came up riding with the strap, iron on his lap
I had to carry a gun for protection in my environment
One false move, get whacked
One wrong move could result in injury or death
Got the whole hood on his back
I am responsible for representing my community
For my niggas trapped in the trap
My friends who are still caught up in the dangerous lifestyle
Pray to God we all make it back
I hope we all survive and make it out of these tough situations
And I know it's wrong that I rap
Some may see my music as promoting a negative lifestyle, but it's my reality
But a street nigga first
Above all, I am still a product of the streets and my environment
Tell the crackers free Mac Deezy
A call to free a wrongly-jailed friend
Ma, look at your son, I'm on TV
I have achieved a level of success my mother can be proud of
They didn't believe me
Many people doubted my potential and talent
I don't really fuck with no rappers
I don't trust other musicians who may be fake or inauthentic
All these niggas hustling backwards
Other rappers may be chasing fame and superficial success instead of true growth
But long as I know the truth
As long as I stay true to myself and my experiences, that's all that matters
That's another subject for after
I'll worry about that later, for now I need to focus on my own life
Asking a nigga if I stole it
Being racially profiled and accused of a crime I didn't commit
I remember walking to school
I had to walk to school because we couldn't afford a car
Catching the bus early morning
Sometimes I had to take the bus to get to school on time
But I still got my diploma, I got my diploma
I worked hard and earned my high school diploma despite the obstacles
Went to school all twelve years
I completed my entire secondary education
Just to get a job selling donuts, man, that's crazy
After all that education, I still had to settle for a low-paying job
I ain't with the minimum waging
I refuse to be stuck in a low-income job with no hope for advancement
I ain't with the modern day slavery
Working long hours for little pay feels like a form of slavery to me
The fuck is you saying?
I don't have time for people who don't understand the struggle
Had to tell 'em, "Fuck you, pay me"
I demand respect and compensation for my hard work and talent
Well, I guess it's back to the block
Sometimes I feel like my only option is to return to the dangerous streets
In the streets running 'round playing hooky
As a kid, I would skip school to hang out in the streets
And I ain't never sold no crack
Despite growing up around drugs, I never participated in that life
But I'm so street, I can cook it
My experiences on the streets have given me a certain knowledge and understanding
And I know it's hard to find a way
Life can be tough and confusing, but there is hope for a better future
But you're bound to see brighter days
Things will get better if you keep working and pushing through obstacles
A million dollars can't change me, nigga
Money won't change my core values and personality
'Cause hard times made me, nigga
My difficult experiences have shaped me into the person I am today
A hard grind saved me, nigga
I had to work hard to get where I am today
I got it off the pavement, nigga
I built my success from the ground up, starting from nothing
Didn't think you'd be who you are, my nigga
I never imagined I would be this successful
Didn't think you'd take it this far, my nigga
I didn't expect to achieve the level of success that I have
You like the greatest, you like the greatest to me
To me, you are the best and most talented
Give a fuck what they saying, you like the greatest to me, yeah
I don't care about others' opinions, to me you are the greatest
Fuck what they saying, you like the greatest to me, yeah
I refuse to let others' opinions bring me down, to me you are the best
For real, okay, spit that shit however you spin it, bro
Keep making music and expressing yourself, regardless of how others interpret it
'Cause a nigga built off this shit, bruh, this shit in me, bro, for real
I am who I am because of my experiences and the tough environment I grew up in
Uh-uh, ayy free C5, man, grrah
A call to free someone named C5 who is likely incarcerated
We ain't forget about you, my nigga
I have not forgotten about you or your struggle
Grindin', baby
Keep working hard and pushing through obstacles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aaron Owuor Tago, Hagan Lange, Kyre Trask, Rod Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RodWaveOfficial
comment 🌊if you ready for this album 🖤#p4l
@destinyrosa5886
BEEN READYYY
@joesietru124
Ready 💛
Wimauma fl
@redxeye3897
I love u ❤
@hooker7662
yes sirrr. waiting toooooo longggggg
@gwenlopez3571
RodWave 🌊
@wr8thbeatz322
A random person liking this will become a millionaire 🙏🏾 🔥
@PrecisionArts
Money don’t bring love and happiness
@wr8thbeatz322
G-Halo True. But God does📝
@PrecisionArts
God is within you but only you can make your self happy,it’s about your consciousness