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.
What's Wrong
Rod Wave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the world turn they back on you
Turn your back on the world
I been livin' like that for so long
(RellyMade)
She said, "What's wrong with you? (Yeah)
Tell me why you acting so tough? (oh-woah)
Too many scars on my heart, this ain't no bluff
In the city I'ma slide where I growed up
Young niggas cutthroat give no fucks (grrah)
I'm gon' say what I said, but so what?
They know that I ain't mean it
Do what you gotta do but just don't leave me
Then again, beat it, don't give a fuck
'Member 2017 with evictions on the door
I was all on my own, still tryna get it up
Just finished school, shed tears in the dark
That's when life hit me hard but I couldn't give it up
I had just quit my job, on the block, me and Brock
Got a Glock in my pants (RellyMade)
I'm ready to set it off
Fast forward, I got a Benz, I'm ready to live it up
There's way more to it (yeah)
I don't know how to love, I don't know who to trust
And I swear this shit so confusing
All the smiling faces, why you so happy?
Tell me what the fuck so amusing?
Everybody mad they can't reach Nuni
You had my number, why you ain't use it?
And I been tryin' to control my temper (yeah)
It's hard lovin' a nigga like me (like me)
Said I'd be gone 'til November
I won't gotta come back when we leave
It all could be so simple
Put my heart back on my sleeve (yeah)
Keep askin' me why I'm so angry? (Yeah)
Try to tell her that's how she made me
They turned they back on me, it left me scarred (oh-oh)
I turned my back on them to save my heart
Goin' against what I was taught (yeah)
Got me scared for my life (yeah)
But if lovin' you is wrong, then I don't wanna be right (I'm)
Breakin' all the rules tonight (yeah, yeah)
Breakin' all the rules (yeah)
I'm breakin' (yeah)
All the rules, (yeah) yeah
Uh (RellyMade)
I'm breakin' all the rules
I'm breakin' all the rules
I'm breakin' all the rules tonight
Yeah (yeah)
(Breaking all the rules, yeah)
Mmm (mmm)
Yeah (uh-uh)
(I said, yeah, look what they made me do)
The lyrics to Rod Wave's "What's Wrong" delve into the rapper's personal struggles with showing love and trust due to the numerous scars on his heart. He starts off by saying that he has been living with the mentality of turning his back on the world since everybody turns their back on you when the world stops being kind. The artist complains that there are too many scars on his heart, and he is not bluffing, in fact, the scars are real. These words may speak to his painful past experiences of being rejected or not receiving the love he deserved.
Throughout the song, it is clear that the rapper struggles to love and trust others. He repeats that he doesn't know how to love nor who to trust, and this causes him a lot of confusion. Rod Wave's fear of investing in people and building relationships may stem from the fact that he has faced betrayal before. The artist implies that people are only around him for what he can offer, and when he needs them, they are never available. He is tired of being taken advantage of, and he is trying to control his temper to avoid any more conflicts.
In the chorus, Rod talks about breaking all the rules tonight and going against what he was taught. He is willing to take the risk to break free from his past struggles with trust and love. He asserts that he'd instead break all the rules and follow his heart, even if it means doing something that goes against what he was taught. The rapper understands that his past mistakes may have contributed to the person he is today but still wishes to move forward and show love to those deserving of it.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what they gon' say
You already know the negative things people will say when they turn their back on you
When the world turn they back on you
When everyone ignores and neglects you
Turn your back on the world
To protect yourself from feeling hurt, start ignoring the world too
I been livin' like that for so long
Been following this approach for a while
She said, "What's wrong with you? (Yeah)
The woman in question asked what is wrong with the lyrics' narrator
Tell me why you acting so tough? (oh-woah)
Questioning the reason for the harsh exterior portrayed
Tell me why you so scared to show love?"
Why do you appear afraid to present affection towards others?
Too many scars on my heart, this ain't no bluff
I have been emotionally scarred from experiences, and not merely pretending
In the city I'ma slide where I growed up
I'm going to return to my childhood residence in the city
Young niggas cutthroat give no fucks (grrah)
Aggressive younger individuals who are accustomed to disregarding negative outcomes
I'm gon' say what I said, but so what?
I will repeat my previous statements, but why does it matter at this point?
They know that I ain't mean it
The individuals in question already know that I did not intend to offend them
Do what you gotta do but just don't leave me
You can take any requisite action, but do not abandon me
Then again, beat it, don't give a fuck
Depart without caring, but that is fine
'Member 2017 with evictions on the door
Remember the year 2017 when eviction was imminent
I was all on my own, still tryna get it up
I was enduring this alone, trying to persevere
Just finished school, shed tears in the dark
I had very recently completed school, crying in darkness
That's when life hit me hard but I couldn't give it up
That was when I realized that life was difficult, but I could not abandon it
I had just quit my job, on the block, me and Brock
I had relinquished my employment and was on the block with my companion Brock
Got a Glock in my pants (RellyMade)
Carrying a Glock firearm in my trousers, courtesy of RellyMade
I'm ready to set it off
I am prepared to use force
Fast forward, I got a Benz, I'm ready to live it up
Skipping ahead, I now possess a Mercedes-Benz and desire to live a desirable life
There's way more to it (yeah)
There are still, additional pertinent details
I don't know how to love, I don't know who to trust
I am unsure how to love and distrustful of others
And I swear this shit so confusing
This is incredibly complex and perplexing
All the smiling faces, why you so happy?
Why are you so jubilant, with all the fake smiles?
Tell me what the fuck so amusing?
What is there to laugh about in this situation?
Everybody mad they can't reach Nuni
Everyone is angry that they cannot contact Nuni
You had my number, why you ain't use it?
You had my contact information, why did you not employ it?
And I been tryin' to control my temper (yeah)
Attempting to regulate my anger and frustration
It's hard lovin' a nigga like me (like me)
Loving a man like me is difficult
Said I'd be gone 'til November
I stated I would be absent until the month of November
I won't gotta come back when we leave
When we depart, I do not intend to return
It all could be so simple
This could all be very straightforward and uncomplicated
Put my heart back on my sleeve (yeah)
To allow myself to become emotionally vulnerable
Keep askin' me why I'm so angry? (Yeah)
Persistently querying as to why I am so enraged
Try to tell her that's how she made me
Attempting to explain that this is the result of her actions affecting me
They turned they back on me, it left me scarred (oh-oh)
I was abandoned, causing me to suffer emotional damage
I turned my back on them to save my heart
Cutting off connections with these individuals to protect my emotional well-being
Goin' against what I was taught (yeah)
Going against the beliefs previously instilled in me
Got me scared for my life (yeah)
This has me genuinely trembling for my life
But if lovin' you is wrong, then I don't wanna be right (I'm)
If loving you is ill-advised, then I still cannot choose to fall out of love
Breakin' all the rules tonight (yeah, yeah)
Disregarding all the established conventions of behavior
Breakin' all the rules (yeah)
Flouting all the rules
I'm breakin' (yeah)
I am against the status quo
All the rules, (yeah) yeah
I am disregarding all previously established standards
I'm breakin' all the rules
I am breaking free from the constraints imposed on me by society
I'm breakin' all the rules tonight
This evening, I am going to deviate from the regular path and live my life on my own terms
Mmm (mmm)
Hm, pondering or considering
Yeah (uh-uh)
Yes, affirmative
(I said, yeah, look what they made me do)
(I previously stated affirmatively, just look at what actions others have forced from me)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerail Harvey, Marvin Venable, Rodarius M. Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lady love
Give this man his Grammy already 😘😘
KBLURKIIN
Factttttttts 😩🔥
ATR Braindead
on me
Brenda Jones
Literally
Louisiana Lee
I can’t lie Rod Wave helps my depression ALOT. Thank you 🙏
Linae Durham
Mines too. He be saving my life
Jadadadon
No literally ❤️🥲
RAYVEN NICHOLE
Same ty rod wave LOVE YOU💖
aiken h
ong bru
Roberto Bishop
Helps my depression and abandonment issues. I totally agree.