Rising Florida Rhymer Rod Wave Reflects on His “Hard Times” in a New Loosie

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Video: Rod Wave – “Hard Times”

The Fresh-Faced Floridian Showcases His Facility With Melody and Bars in the Soulful New Single

2.14.2019

Critical Praise:

“If you’re not familiar with the sounds of Rod Wave, he’s certainly one of the most talented acts to come out of Florida in some time.” – The Modern Life Mag

“One of Florida’s finest musicians” – ELEVATOR

The Video:

Imbuing his uniquely southern brand of trap with soul and wisdom, Rod Wave is ready for a huge 2019. Sharing his first new song of the year, Rod releases “Hard Times.” Reminiscing about his youth in St. Petersburg, Florida, Rod decries rappers who lie about their past and those who abandon their blocks when they get a bag. Marked by churchy piano and wailing guitars, “Hard Times” showcases Rod’s unique talent, as he rocks a delicate falsetto on the chorus and rhymes with melodic fervor during the verses. “Hard Times” follows the video for “Weight On My Shoulders,” a highlight from Rod’s late-2018 Hunger Games 3 tape and the Moneybagg Yo-featuring “Feel The Same Way,” which has over 1.2 million views on YouTube.

With music that Moneybagg Yo described as “street gospel,” Rod Wave has an inimitable style using his acrobatic vocal talent to inject lived-in emotion to his songs. Bounding between octaves and effortlessly switching from percussive rhymes to soaring melodies, Rod triumphantly celebrates his rising star status on “Yessir!,” reflects on his friends’ struggles with drug addiction on “Numb,” and flexes his pen game in the extended metaphor “Heart 4 Sale.” Featuring production from the likes of Go Grizzly, Drum Dummie, and others, Hunger Games 3 is a generous showcase of Rod’s supernatural sense of soul.

Listen to “Hard Times”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qII1gaOAqLI

Buy/Stream Hunger Games 3: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hunger-games-3/1445236746 // https://open.spotify.com/album/6qoFU4n57agQlV41x1UjyT

Hunger Games 3 tracklisting:
1. Yessir! (Produced by Go Grizzly)
2. Let Me Down (Produced by Pop Star Benny)
3. My Love (Produced by Yung Taco & TNT)
4. Feel The Same Way ft. Moneybagg Yo (Produced by Drum Dummie)
5. Heart 4 Sale (Produced by Yung Taco & TNT)
6. Pressure (Produced by Pop Star Benny)
7. Weight On My Shoulders (Produced by Go Grizzly)
8. So Many (Produced by Yung Taco & TNT)
9. Having My Way (Produced by Yung Taco & TNT)
10. Numb (Produced by Heavy Keyzz)
11. Red Light (Produced by Seven On The Track)
12. Can’t Sleep (Produced by Rippa On The Beat)