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.
Thug Motivation
Rod Wave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This that thug motivation right here
You get what I'm sayin'?
That real shit, that gangsta shit
You feel me?
Can't sell that bullshit to the thugs, nah man
It's a new nigga in this bitch, for real
Turnt up in this bitch
Hit that light right there
Yessir, both of 'em
Aw shit, they done let me in the door
They done gave your boy a chance
Now the youngin' finna' blow
It's a shame, finna put the game
In a figure four
Youngin, fresh from out that bottom talking straight from off the scroll
And these days, I live the life of a movie star
Remember going to school telling you I'd be a superstar
But you didn't believe, 'cause I fell in love with B&E
Breaking in them houses
Snatching TV's down and flippin' couches
This for them who doubted
I just dropped the top on my new Audi
Ma, look at your son and how he sprouted
1.5 and countin', don't need no accountant
Don't need no help countin' mine
Fire my accountant
Don't need no help routin' mine
We jumpin' out the gym
You ain't heard? Then go ask a friend
They know we gettin' it in
I just bought my mama a brand new Benz
My girl pregnant with twins
Look how God blessed me again
Took so many losses, can't believe I finally get to win, yeah
And nobody told me the road would be easy
I can't believe, made it this far
My whole life, I been working so hard
This that straight drop in the pot shit
Crack rock shit
Stand back and watch it lock jit
This a quarter brick, this another piece
This right here is all a nigga need
To get on his feet, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Thug motivation, thug motivation, yeah
This that straight drop in the pot shit
Crack rock shit
Stand back and watch it lock jit
This a quarter brick, this another piece
This right here is all a nigga need
To get on his feet, yeah
And nobody told me the road would be easy
I can't believe, made it this far
My whole life, I been working so hard, yeah
In "Thug Motivation," Rod Wave uses his raw and authentic vocals to address his struggles and success. The beginning of the song starts with Rod Wave claiming that there is no more love in the environment he is in, but it doesn't deter him from his motivation. He then proceeds to explain that this is that real "gangsta shit" and that he can't "sell that bullshit to the thugs." Rod Wave reflects on his life, how he's come from humble beginnings, and the struggles he's faced. He talks about how he had a dream of becoming a superstar, but no one believed him as he fell into illegal activities like breaking and entering to survive.
Although he has faced significant hardships, Rod Wave speaks with confidence about his success. He's managed to work hard and turn his life around. This is evident when he talks about buying his mother a brand new Benz and being blessed again with twins. The song ends with the chorus, a repetition of the message that he only needs "straight drop in the pot shit" to get on his feet, and no one told him the road would be easy.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't anymore love in here
The world has become a harsher place with no more love.
This that thug motivation right here
This song is about the motivation that comes from being a thug.
You get what I'm sayin'?
Do you understand the message in this song?
That real shit, that gangsta shit
This song is about real-life experiences and the gangsta lifestyle.
You feel me?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Can't sell that bullshit to the thugs, nah man
You can't sell fake stories to real gangstas.
It's a new nigga in this bitch, for real
Here's a new person on the scene who's real about his gangsta lifestyle.
Turnt up in this bitch
We're hyped up about this lifestyle.
Ay, Fizzle, turn that up
Hey, DJ Fizzle, turn up this song.
Hit that light right there
Turn on those lights.
Yessir, both of 'em
Yes, turn on both lights.
Aw shit, they done let me in the door
They finally allowed me to join their gangster way of life.
They done gave your boy a chance
They're giving me, a new member, the opportunity to succeed in this lifestyle.
Now the youngin' finna' blow
I'm about to make it big.
It's a shame, finna put the game
I'm going to take control of the gang world.
In a figure four
I'm going to dominate and control the situation.
Youngin, fresh from out that bottom talking straight from off the scroll
I'm a fresh, new member from the bottom, and I'm speaking the truth from my experiences.
And these days, I live the life of a movie star
Nowadays, I live like a superstar.
Remember going to school telling you I'd be a superstar
I remember telling you in school that I would become a superstar.
But you didn't believe, 'cause I fell in love with B&E
You didn't believe me because I was involved in breaking and entering.
Breaking in them houses
I used to break into and rob people's homes.
Snatching TV's down and flippin' couches
I would steal TVs and flip over couches to find cash or other valuables.
This for them who doubted
This song is for those who didn't believe in me.
I just dropped the top on my new Audi
I just bought a new Audi and removed the roof.
Ma, look at your son and how he sprouted
Mom, look at how successful your son has become.
1.5 and countin', don't need no accountant
I have over $1.5 million and I don't need an accountant to manage my money.
Don't need no help countin' mine
I can count my own money; I don't need anyone else.
Fire my accountant
I don't need my accountant anymore; I can manage my money myself.
Don't need no help routin' mine
I don't need anyone to tell me how to manage my money.
We jumpin' out the gym
We're going all out to be successful.
You ain't heard? Then go ask a friend
If you didn't know, go ask someone who does.
They know we gettin' it in
They know we're working hard to be successful.
I just bought my mama a brand new Benz
I just bought my mom a new Mercedes-Benz.
My girl pregnant with twins
My girlfriend is pregnant with twins.
Look how God blessed me again
Look at the blessings God has given me again.
Took so many losses, can't believe I finally get to win, yeah
I've experienced many failures and hardships, but I can't believe I'm finally successful.
This that straight drop in the pot shit
This song is about the drug trade.
Crack rock shit
This song is specifically about selling crack cocaine.
Stand back and watch it lock jit
Watch me successfully sell this crack cocaine.
This a quarter brick, this another piece
I have a quarter brick of crack and another piece of it to sell.
This right here is all a nigga need
This is all I need to be successful in the drug world.
To get on his feet, yeah
This is all I need to be successful and make a living off the drug trade.
Thug motivation, thug motivation, yeah
This song is all about the motivation to become a successful gangster.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Allen Kelly, Rod Green, Frank III Gilliam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RodWaveOfficial
comment yo favorite verse #pray4love🖤
@Aesthetically.pleasing2
“Don’t need no accountant, don’t need no help counting mine fired my accountant don’t need no help routing mine.🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@lsjmartin6220
Whole thang 🔥
@jordanbrown4252
Look how God blessed me again
Took so many losses, can't believe I finally get to win #MotivationMusic
@kameronwilliams8340
Took so many losses, can't believe I finally get to win
@ToCxldLoLo
"This days I live the life a a movie star I remember going to school telling you I'll be a superstar "
@LIZZFACEMURDER
This how many of y’all gone be successful
👇🏾
@PRETTYBOIJWash
hey could you subscribe to my YouTube fam?
@dianelawson4320
Nice
@LIZZFACEMURDER
Rell BANG I see you bro🥶🥶 subscribe to me show some love