"If you can't feel my pain, well this ain't for you anyway", is the line that Rod Wave used to respond to critics saying his music is too sad. Brave but a honourable move from the young man because he is sticking to his guns. Lets get into the album.
"Soul Fly" is the Florida rappers second project in a year, so to see that the album had 19 songs (with one feature) I was worried prior to listening because I thought it would be a lot to digest from such a deep, emotional artist. However I was still aware of his talent so I remained positive. The album starts off with the title track "SoulFly", This song makes the listener look at the world through his eyes he talks about every aspect of his life, it really sets the tone of the album. "Hope you don't think 'cause I got change, that's what made me change It's just this life got so strange, I had to switch lanes" this line lets me know he is still trying to bridge the gap between his new found success and his hometown but because his life is so different now, its difficult. A common problem with rappers from similar environments. Great insightful track.
The album had two songs already out prior to its release "Street Runner" and the YouTube hit "Tombstone" which is currently on 15 million views in just 7 days.
"Tombstone" has plenty of gospel elements in the song with a strong choir to back his heartfelt vocals. Its applaudable that Rod Wave is sticking to his roots of the gospel music it really adds some authenticity, throughout the album he mentions God to the point where he even questions him on the last song "Changing" by saying "Lord, I got a question, is Heaven real? If so, then why you kept us here?". His tight grip with Christianity is something that sets him apart from other artists of his generation. Compared to other popular artists his style is very unique he is not afraid to dip into the melodic pockets that many other rappers have not got the range for. His one feature was Polo G on the song "Richer" where Polo G compliments him well on a guitar fuelled beat where they were both talking about them finally making it.
My two favourite tracks on this project is "Don't Forget" and "OMDB".
On "Don't Forget" it starts with a skit from the legendary Pimp C interview with Atlanta Radio talking about the state of the rap game. A very meaningful start. Rod Wave spent this track responding to his critics in the most classy motivating way with lines like "Before you judge me, take a minute, go to the beginning". A little bar that many need to take into account before judging people. The song has a steady cheerful bounce throughout mixed with heavy hitting lyrics that everyone needs to hear,
On "OMDB" he pays homage Drake's "Over My Dead Body" indicating Drake's heavy influence on this current generation of rappers. This song is accompanied by a chilled piano beat, where he talks about the struggles of being famous and his journey, and how people in his city think he sold his soul to the devil in order to make; indicating the rarity of his success. That little line makes me appreciate him being here much more because it seems like he is giving hope to many other children dying to make it.
Conclusion
Rod Wave gave us, in my opinion his best project. He documented thoughtfully what is going in his life and mind. When you give it raw and real people can be motivated from that because they can see all aspects of the story and they have a realistic goal to strive to. He says lots of lyrics that young people need to here. In the future I would like to see him collaborate with other artists not too many, just some that can push him to new limits, musically because he has the potential. I think he has to aim for the older generation of artists such as Rick Ross, Meek Mill & Drake because he makes music which his too mature for most of this generations popping rappers. Lastly, I hope he takes some time off and lets us sit with this project, he has given us a lot to digest, so he can disappear for a bit and comeback to give us the project on the NEXT chapter of his life.
Rating: 9/10