Rod Wave is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born Rodarius Marcell Green, best known for his 2019 breakthrough single “Heart on Ice” and his pioneering role in the soul-trap genre.
He has released seven studio albums, four of which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Who is Rod Wave?
Rod Wave, born Rodarius Marcell Green, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from St. Petersburg, Florida.
He blends hip-hop and R&B in a style widely described as soul trap, pairing melodic delivery with raw, introspective lyrics about poverty, grief, mental health, and street life.
His debut album Ghetto Gospel (2019) reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200.
Since then, he has released six more studio albums, consistently landing in the top five on the chart.
As of September 2026, Rod Wave is in the middle of his Don’t Look Down Tour, a 34-date arena run spanning both coasts and the South.
Early Life of Rod Wave
Rod Wave was born on August 27, 1998, in St. Petersburg, Florida, and grew up in the South Side of the city.
His father, Rodney “Fatz” Green, ended up in prison during Rod’s elementary school years, and his parents separated around the same time.With money tight, the family struggled financially.
Rod turned to the streets as a teenager, becoming involved in illegal activities that put him in and out of juvenile detention. Two of his arrests came for carrying a weapon, one of them on school property.
His father’s close friend, Derek “Uncle Dee” Lane, played a major role in Rod’s life before he too went to prison.
When Rodney Green was eventually released, he redirected his son toward music, buying him a microphone.
Rod’s brother provided him with a computer, giving Rod the tools to start recording on his own.
Rod Wave Age / Birthday
Rod Wave is 27 years old as of 2026, born on August 27, 1998. His zodiac sign is Virgo, a sign often linked with precision, perfectionism, and a strong work ethic.
He consistently ranks among the most-streamed hip-hop artists in the United States.
Rod Wave Ethnicity and Nationality
Rod Wave holds American nationality, having been born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is of Black American ethnic background.
His upbringing in one of St. Petersburg’s toughest neighborhoods shaped the themes that run through his entire catalog.
Rod Wave Height and Weight
Rod Wave stands at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. His weight is estimated at around 230 pounds (104 kg), giving him a heavyset, broad-shouldered build.
His stocky, solid frame is a recognizable feature in his music videos and live performances. On stage, his physicality and vocal power combine to fill large arenas.
Rod Wave Education
Rod Wave attended Lakewood Elementary School in St. Petersburg, where he was selected for the All-State Elementary Chorus in both 2009 and 2010.
He continued performing in front of classmates at Lakewood High School, where he also graduated.
In 10th grade, he began writing songs seriously. His father’s gift of a microphone and his brother’s gift of a computer turned a hobby into a career path.
Rod Wave Career
Rod Wave began recording music in his mid-teens and independently released several mixtapes before signing to Alamo Records.
His career trajectory from local mixtape artist to multi-platinum arena headliner happened faster than almost any of his contemporaries.
Early Mixtapes and Signing (2016–2019)
Rod Wave released his first mixtape, Hunger Games Vol. 1, in 2016 while still figuring out his sound.
He followed it with Rookie of the Year and Hunger Games in 2017, then Hunger Games 2 and Hunger Games 3 in 2018.
Local recognition from these projects led to bookings and eventually to a deal with Alamo Records.
In June 2019, he released the mixtape PTSD, which contained the track “Heart on Ice.” That song went viral on YouTube and TikTok, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
His debut studio album, Ghetto Gospel, arrived on November 1, 2019, and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200.
The same year, XXL named him to its Freshman Class of 2020, announced in August.
Breakthrough Albums (2020–2022)
Pray 4 Love arrived on April 3, 2020, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. The album included “Rags2Riches” featuring ATR Son Son, which peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100.
His third album, SoulFly, released on March 26, 2021, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming his first chart-topper.
The album’s standout track “Tombstone” climbed to number 11, making it his highest-charting Hot 100 entry.
Beautiful Mind followed in 2022 and also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
He also released the EP Jupiter’s Diary: Seven Day Theory in late 2022, which broke into the top 10 shortly after release.
Nostalgia Through Don’t Look Down (2023–2026)
Nostalgia, his fifth studio album, arrived on September 15, 2023, via Alamo Records. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it his third chart-topping album.
The lead single “Fight the Feeling” peaked at number 16 on the Hot 100. Sony Music listed Nostalgia among its top-earning projects of 2024.
Last Lap, his sixth studio album, released on October 11, 2024. The album featured guest appearances from Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Rylo Rodriguez, Be Charlotte, and Wild Rivers.
It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and reached number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
In 2025, Rod Wave released “Sinners,” the lead single from Ryan Coogler’s acclaimed vampire film of the same name.
The music video featured actors Michael B. Jordan and Woody McClain. That single earned him his first Grammy nomination at the 2026 Grammy Awards, in the category of Best Song Written for Visual Media.
His seventh studio album, Don’t Look Down, released on August 28, 2026.
It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 99,000 equivalent album units in its first week, driven by 95.07 million on-demand streams.
The album marked his fourth Billboard 200 chart-topper.
Rod Wave Discography
| Year | Title | Billboard 200 Peak |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ghetto Gospel | #10 |
| 2020 | Pray 4 Love | #2 |
| 2021 | SoulFly | #1 |
| 2022 | Beautiful Mind | #1 |
| 2023 | Nostalgia | #1 |
| 2024 | Last Lap | #2 |
| 2026 | Don’t Look Down | #1 |
Rod Wave Awards and Recognition
Rod Wave received his first Grammy nomination at the 2026 Grammy Awards for Best Song Written for Visual Media, for “Sinners” from the Ryan Coogler film of the same name.
The nomination came on the same day as his November 2025 arrest in Atlanta, a contrast that drew major media attention.
He also holds 107 career entries on the Billboard Hot 100 as of September 2026, tying him with Beyoncé on the all-time list. Nineteen of those entries reached the top 40.
In 2020, XXL named him to its Freshman Class of 2020. His previous five studio albums all received RIAA platinum certification.
Rod Wave Tours and Concerts
Rod Wave sold out every date of his 2025 arena headline tour, The Redemption Experience.
The tour followed strong touring activity behind Last Lap, including an arena run that began October 18, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 2026, he launched the Don’t Look Down Tour, a 34-date arena run opening September 12 in Philadelphia and closing November 19 in Atlanta. Nine additional dates were added due to demand.
He executes his touring operation through his own company, Mainstay Touring.
Rod Wave Girlfriend
Rod Wave has had an on-and-off relationship with Kelsey “Dee” Coleman, with whom he shares twin daughters. The couple’s relationship status has fluctuated publicly over the years.
In early 2025, reports linked him to a woman named Nari, also known as Mini Barbie. Rod Wave has not publicly confirmed any current relationship status.
He has not married. A 2022 song titled “Married Next Year” drew fan speculation but no marriage has taken place.
Rod Wave Children
Rod Wave has two children, twin daughters named Kash and Mocha Green. Their mother is his ex-girlfriend, Kelsey “Dee” Coleman.
During a 2021 interview on The Breakfast Club, Rod Wave mentioned that his family had become his priority, saying he preferred spending time at home over constant touring.
He keeps his daughters out of the public eye and reportedly raises them in Florida.
Rod Wave Net Worth
Rod Wave’s estimated net worth is $10 million as of 2026. His wealth comes primarily from music streaming and sales, touring, and merchandise, with his catalog spanning seven studio albums and over 107 Billboard Hot 100 entries.
Music and Streaming Income
Rod Wave consistently averages over 82.3 million weekly worldwide streams as of 2026. His personal YouTube channel has over 5.6 million subscribers.
Per-show estimates from his Last Lap Tour put individual show earnings at $100,000 or more, depending on venue size and ticket sales.
He signed a co-publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing in 2020, adding a royalties stream to his income.
Sony Music listed his album Nostalgia among its top-earning projects released through the label in 2024.
Touring Revenue
Rod Wave sold out every date of his 2025 Redemption Experience arena tour.
His 2026 Don’t Look Down Tour is a 34-date arena run with nine additional dates added due to demand, handled through his own company Mainstay Touring.
Owning the touring infrastructure keeps a larger share of revenue in his operation.
Overall, Rod Wave’s income flows mainly from streaming, touring, and music royalties, with additional contributions from merchandise and brand deals.
Rod Wave Social Media
Rod Wave is active across all major platforms. On Instagram, he posts as @rodwave. His YouTube channel at Rod Wave carries over 5.6 million subscribers and hosts his official music videos.
He also posts on TikTok under @rodwave and on Twitter/X at @rodwave, where he shares thoughts and interacts directly with fans.
Conclusion
Rod Wave has released four number-one Billboard 200 albums in a span of five years, a run built not on radio crossover or major collaborations but on a deeply loyal fanbase drawn to his unfiltered emotional delivery.
His seventh album Don’t Look Down debuted at number one in September 2026, and his 107 Hot 100 career entries place him alongside artists who have spent decades building their catalogs.