With the release of rap artist Rod Wave’s latest studio album “Last Lap,” many questions have been brought forward regarding the content on the album. More specifically: is Rod Wave’s music appropriate for 13-year-olds?
Wave’s style of music, which incorporates mostly hip hop, R&B and soul trap genres, has been criticized for being too profane for the younger generations. “Last Lap,” which features other big-name artists in the rap industry, such as Lil Baby and Lil Yachty, has been welcomed with critical acclaim, with the singles “Passport Junkie” and “Fall Fast in Love” both making the Billboard Hot 100.
His content has been lauded as pioneer of the trap-soul genre and influencing a diverse cultural landscape, in part due to his addressing of topics that were traditionally taboo, such as mental health and toxic masculinity. But, despite the amount of praise that Wave’s work has received, some individuals (mostly those from the older generations), feel that his music, some of which contain explicit lyrics and mature content, is unsuitable for America’s adolescents.
According to the online publishing platform Medium, the demographics of Wave’s listeners are primarily young people aged 13-24, reflecting a varied age group. However, some social media users reported bringing children as young as seven to Wave’s live concerts, which also contain a fair amount of marijuana usage in the floor seats. Wave’s personal life has also been the subject of significant media attention, with charges of carrying a concealed firearm in 2017 and a domestic battery charge against his ex-girlfriend in 2022, as well as a childhood that was filled with multiple stints in juvenile detention centers, drug-dealing, burglary and robbery.
While Wave’s music may not be appropriate for young children, others have commended him and his songs as inspirational, as his lyrics tend to touch on themes such as perseverance, determination and overcoming obstacles, something that Wave himself has had to deal with throughout his life. Some of his songs also touch on hope and resilience, with Wave’s lyrics encouraging his young listeners to never give up, move forward and ultimately achieve their dreams.
Because Wave is open about his emotions in his songs, many feel that his raw, honest lyrics shed a spotlight on the struggles that not just he has faced, but that many of the youth today face as well. His debut single, “Heart on Ice,” released in 2019, explores themes of heartbreak and pain, and, like the two singles off Wave’s new album, was critically and commercially successful.
Ultimately, the final decision rests on the parents as to whether or not their children should be listening to Wave’s music. As stated earlier, some adults are even exposing their young children to Wave’s music up front at live concerts, where the environment is more unpredictable and chaotic. So, with the exception of Wave’s personal and legal problems, his songs send a positive message to fans of any age, which is that there is always going to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Rating: 4/5