Last Lap is the sixth studio album by American rapper and singer Rod Wave. It was released on October 11, 2024, through Alamo Records.[1][2] The album features guest appearances from Be Charlotte, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Rylo Rodriguez, and Wild Rivers, while its production was primarily handled by Dmac and TnTXD, with support from ChildBoy, Chris Made, EELmatic, FlexOnDaTrack, Foreverolling, Mattazik Muzik, TrillGotJuice, Uncle Cameron, and several other producers.[3][4] The album served as a follow-up to his fifth studio album, Nostalgia (2023).[5][6]
| Last Lap | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 11, 2024 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 67:13 | |||
| Label | Alamo | |||
| Producer |
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| Rod Wave chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Last lap | ||||
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Last Lap received mediocre reception from music critics who valued Green's lyricism and vocals on the record. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 127,000 album-equivalent units, 2,000 of which were pure album sales.[7][8] The album serves as Green's seventh consecutive top ten on the chart and makes him the only artist other than Taylor Swift to chart in the top ten each year from 2019 to 2024,[9] and seventeen of the album's twenty-three tracks charted on the Billboard Hot 100. It was supported by two official singles: "Passport Junkie" and "Fall Fast in Love".
Background and recording
editUpon the release of Last Lap Green appeared in an interview with Montreality in which he spoke about the "ups and downs" he went through while creating the album.[10] When asked how he's grown since the release of SoulFly (2021), Green responded:[11]
I mean, shit, yeah. Hell, yeah. Every day a nigga grow, bro. Every day a nigga grow. I done grown a lot since then. Sometimes I look back at my interview and, like, just knowing how much I grown since then, I look back at my interview, and I like, 'Damn'. You know what I'm saying? I can't believe I was feeling that way, though. I just remember where I was at in that moment, you know what I'm saying? And I just. Yeah, I done grown a lot. I'm growing every day and shit. You know what I'm saying? You grow every day. Every day I learn something new, I take a step closer, you know?
Release and promotion
editOn November 21, 2023, Green released the single "After it All" exclusively to his YouTube channel, however, it was almost immediately deleted due to sample clearance issues. Furthermore, one of Green's engineers took their Instagram live to state that his label, Alamo Records, delayed the release of the single due to label-mate Lil Durk dropping the same night.[12]
On March 31, 2024, Green was arrested in Manatee County, Florida on two counts of illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon, related to a shooting in St. Petersburg, Florida.[13][14] The police claimed that the shooting was gang-related and the three men arrested alongside Green were alleged gang members. Despite this, Green was later released because the information about him being a felon was inaccurate.[15] On April 16, Green released a re-recording of his December 2018 track, "Numb" from his Hunger Games 3 mixtape, alongside a new music video.[16] In May, Green took to his Twitter to announce his break-up with his long-time girlfriend and to ask producers to stop sending him "sad" beats, and instead requested Future-type beats.[17] As a result, record producer close to Future, Metro Boomin quote Tweeted Green, suggesting that he'd have involvement on the album.[18] In June he posted an Instagram story in which he stated that it "hurt" him to make the project: "This fuckin project hurt so bad bra. But I'ma give it ta y’all". In the same story, he teased the album's tracklist, tour dates, and merchandise to be "loading".[19] On June 21, Green released the track "Lonely" exclusively to his YouTube channel, however, deleted it shortly after.[20] In September 2024, Green went live on his Instagram and revealed that the album would feature guest appearances from Drake, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, and Rylo Rodriguez. Shortly after the live, he shared a snippet of a track titled "Best Friends" with Drake.[21]
On September 4, Green announced his United States Last Lap Tour, supported by Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior, and Eelmatic.[22] The thirty-six-stop tour will begin on October 19 in Phoenix, Arizona and will conclude on December 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[23] On September 14, Green released the album's lead single, "Passport Junkie".[24] On September 23, Green took to YouTube to release a new song titled "Letting It Go" accompanied by a music video. The song interpolates lyrics from Best Thing I Never Had by Beyonce. The song and video were deleted off YouTube quickly after release, and the song would not be featured on the album. On September 26, Green officially announced the release of the album for October 11.[25][26][27][28] The following day, he released the album's second single, "Fall Fast in Love".[29][30][31][32] Following Green's album announcement, Memphis, Tennessee rapper, GloRilla commented on the post regarding her debut album, Glorious dropping the same day as Last Lap, which she announced a week prior. GloRilla replied to Green's announcement via a comment: "Why DF Would You Drop On My Day I'm Finna Tweak Out".[33] Following her comment, Green took to his Instagram story to share a picture of the two in the studio while confirming that we wouldn't move his release date: "La twin drop same night".[34] On October 9, the album's official tracklist was revealed by Alamo Records via Instagram. Upon the release of the tracklist, Green received minor backlash after fans saw that Drake and Morgan Wallen weren't featured on the project.[35]
Following the release of the album, on October 12, Green released the official music video for the project's fourth cut, "25".[36] On October 25, 2024, in an episode of Billboard's Billboard Unfiltered, Carl Lamarre, Trevor Anderson, Damien Scott, and Kyle Denis spoke about Green and the album, stating that he's carved his own lane and is in the "Big 3" oh Hip-Hop.[37]
Artwork
editThe official artwork for Last Lap sees Green in the midst of performing with his back to the artwork. He's holding the microphone in his right hand and the microphone stand in his left hand. On Green's left wrist is seen a Richard Mille RM 67-01 Automatic Extra Flat. On the back of his t-shirt is a portrait of Green and his late uncle and manager, the founder of Hit House Entertainment, Derek "Dee" Lane.[24] The artwork pays homage to his late uncle whose death was confirmed by Green on July 3, 2024, through his Instagram:[38]
I love u so much pop I’m sorry they prayed we fall. I follow u every where l would follow u to heaven but nigga we started this shit I know how y’ mind work a thousand thoughts a min I swear when I was a kid I thought u was bigger the da president nigga u is gone always be da largest nigga da sickest nigga and any nigga say u ain’t doa [dead on arrival].
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Ratings Game Music | 76%[39] |
Last Lap received mediocre reviews from critics. Writing for Ratings Game Music, in a positive review, Quincy wrote that on the album, Green "stays true to his emotional core, delivering the heartfelt music his fans expect" and that his lyrics "feel more balanced and optimistic compared to his earlier work". He stated that Green's topics of "lost love, loneliness, and dealing with the repercussions" of the streets, alongside his rapping about "his newfound success, lavish lifestyle, and treating women he values" show his growth and maturity as an artist.[39] HotNewHipHop's Zachary Horvath wrote that the album sees Green "[feature] your typical painful love songs as well as songs about his mental health", and that at times, he "come[s] across as unsure about his own life and how all of these tragedies happening around him will affect him in the long term".[6]
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, Last Lap debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, earning 127,000 album-equivalent units (including 2,000 in pure sales) in its first week.[40] It became Wave's seventh top ten on the chart. The album accumulated a total of 173.35 million on-demand streams of its songs.[40] With the release of Last Lap, Rod Wave became the only artist other than Taylor Swift to have an album peak within the top ten of the Billboard 200 every year between the years of 2019 to 2024.[40] In its second week, the album fell to number four on the Billboard 200, moving 67,000 album-equivalent units.[41]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Turtle Race" |
|
| 3:06 |
| 2. | "Last Lap" |
| Trillo Beatz | 4:08 |
| 3. | "Apply Pressure" |
|
| 2:55 |
| 4. | "25" |
| EELmatic | 3:00 |
| 5. | "Fuck the Fame" (featuring Lil Baby and Lil Yachty) |
| ChildBoy | 3:03 |
| 6. | "Federal Nightmares" |
|
| 3:08 |
| 7. | "Angel with an Attitude" |
|
| 3:15 |
| 8. | "The Best" |
| EELmatic | 2:35 |
| 9. | "Never Mind" |
|
| 2:50 |
| 10. | "Mike" |
|
| 2:35 |
| 11. | "Even Love" |
|
| 2:34 |
| 12. | "Waited 2 Late" (with Wild Rivers) |
|
| 2:40 |
| 13. | "D.A.R.E." |
|
| 2:31 |
| 14. | "The Mess They Made" |
|
| 2:45 |
| 15. | "Karma" |
| EELmatic | 2:54 |
| 16. | "Spaceship" |
|
| 2:54 |
| 17. | "Lost in Love" (with Be Charlotte) |
|
| 2:43 |
| 18. | "Bachelor" |
|
| 2:25 |
| 19. | "Scared Love" |
|
| 3:05 |
| 20. | "Fall Fast in Love" |
|
| 2:52 |
| 21. | "Passport Junkie" |
|
| 2:27 |
| 22. | "IRan" |
|
| 2:58 |
| 23. | "Jersey Numbers" (featuring Rylo Rodriguez) |
|
| 3:50 |
| Total length: | 67:13 | |||
Sample credits
- "Last Lap" contains samples of "Keep Praying", written by Brandon Lake, Aaron Moses, Doe Jones, and Ryan Ofei, as performed by Maverick City Music, Mav City Gospel Choir, Ryan Ofei, and DOE.
- "25" contains samples of "Love Me JeJe", written by Temilade Openiyi, Seyi Sodimu, Ronald Banful, and Akano Wisdom, as performed by Tems.
- "Fuck Fame" contains samples of "On & On", written by Eamon Doyle, Kirk Robinson, and Yared Williams, as performed by Eamon.
- "Federal Nightmares" contains samples of "B.G. and DJ Drama Speak", written by Christopher Dorsey and Tyree Simmons, as performed by B.G. and DJ Drama.
- "The Best" contains samples of "The Best Is Yet to Come", written by Donald Lawrence, as performed by Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers.
- "Lost in Love" contains an interpolation of "Smooth Criminal", written and performed by Michael Jackson.
- "Bachelor" contains samples of "Karaoke", written by Aubrey Graham, Noah Shebib, and Francis Starlite, as performed by Drake.
Personnel
editMusicians
- Rod Wave – vocals
- Kasey Rashel Sims – additional vocals (4)
- Lil Baby – rap vocals (5)
- Lil Yachty – rap vocals (5)
Technical
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[42] | 34 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[43] | 91 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[44] | 33 |
| Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)[45] | 9 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[46] | 63 |
| US Billboard 200[47] | 2 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[48] | 1 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | October 11, 2024 | Standard | [1] | ||
| United States | November 1, 2024 | LP | [49] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Saponara, Michael (October 11, 2024). "Rod Wave Takes a Last Lap With New Album Featuring Lil Yachty & Lil Baby: Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ Li, Joyce (October 11, 2024). "Rod Wave Drops Sixth Studio Album Last Lap". Hypebeast. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave releases Last Lap album featuring Lil Baby and Lil Yachty, announces tour dates". The Express Tribune. October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ Centeno, Tony M (October 11, 2024). "Rod Wave Releases New Album Last Lap With Lil Baby, Lil Yachty & More". iHeart. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Partridge, Ken (October 11, 2024). "Read All The Lyrics To Rod Wave's New Album Last Lap". Genius. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Horvath, Zachary (October 11, 2024). "Rod Wave Might Be On His Last Lap With This Latest Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (October 23, 2024). "Rod Wave's Last Lap Leads Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 22, 2024). "Rod Wave's Last Lap Debuts at No. 1 on Top Streaming Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ Trapp, Malcolm (October 21, 2024). "Rod Wave Ties Taylor Swift's Billboard 200 Chart Record With A Top 10 Album Every Year Since 2019". MSN. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ Trapp, Malcolm (October 11, 2024). "Rod Wave Says Drake Is The "Tom Brady" Of Hip Hop: "He Loves The Game"". Rap-Up. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Andrews, Elias (October 10, 2024). "Rod Wave Claims That Drake "Loves The Game" And Will Never Retire". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave: The positive thoughts and vibes are sky high in the 'After It All' music video". Attack The Culture. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (April 3, 2024). "Rod Wave Arrested on Weapons Charges as Police Accuse Him of Ties to Florida Gang Shooting". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Marrero, Tony; Wunderlich, Emily (April 3, 2024). "St. Petersburg rapper Rod Wave arrested on weapons charge in Manatee County". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Kukreti, Shweta (April 4, 2024). "Rod Wave arrested on charges of illegal weapon possession in Florida, but why was he released few hours later?". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Zachary, Horvath (April 17, 2024). "Rod Wave Updates An Older Track With "Numb"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Alexandria, Lavender (May 17, 2024). "Rod Wave Argues With His Girlfriend Over Cheating Allegations, Teases Break-Up Song". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Mendez, Marisa (May 18, 2024). "Metro Boomin Answers Rod Wave's Call After He Requests 'Future Type' Beats". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Walker, Joe (June 19, 2024). "Rod Wave Readies Emotional New Album: 'This Project Hurt So Bad'". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Horvath, Zachary (June 21, 2024). "Rod Wave Releases Ballad "Lonely" Ahead Of New Unnamed Project". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Bras Nevares, Gabriel (September 14, 2024). "Rod Wave Previews Drake Collab: "GOAT"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (September 4, 2024). "Rod Wave Announces 2024 Last Lap Tour With Moneybagg Yo & Toosii". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave announces Last Lap Tour with special guests across North America". The Express Tribune. September 5, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Zachary, Horvath (September 16, 2024). "Rod Wave Gears Up For New Tour & Album With "Passport Junkie"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Andriyashchuck, Yuriy (September 27, 2024). "Rod Wave to release Last Lap album on October 11". Hip-Hop Vibe. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave Announces New Album Last Lap". Dirty Glove Bastard. September 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Navjosh (September 27, 2024). "Rod Wave Drops New Single "Fall Fast In Love", Announces Last Lap Album Release Date". HipHop-N-More. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Andriyashchuck, Yuriy (September 27, 2024). "Rod Wave to release "Last Lap" album on October 11". Hip-Hop Vibe. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (September 27, 2024). "Rod Wave Announces Last Lap Album Release Date & Drops Poignant "Fall Fast in Love" Single". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Morton, Devin (September 27, 2024). "Rod Wave Delivers New Single "Fall Fast In Love" Ahead Of Sixth Album". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Sharpe, John (September 27, 2024). "Rod Wave to Release New Studio Album Last Lap; Drops New Single". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Watch: Rod Wave Releases New Single & Video "Fall Fast In Love"". HipHop24x7. September 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Moore, Sam (September 27, 2024). "GloRilla Threatens To 'Tweak Out' After Rod Wave Invades Her Album Release Date". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Caroline (September 27, 2024). "GloRilla Goes Off On Rod Wave For Dropping On The Same Day As Her". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Mower, Maxim (October 11, 2024). "Fans Are Upset That Rod Wave's New Album, Last Lap, Doesn't Feature His Morgan Wallen Collaboration, "Don't Wanna Feel It"". Holler Country. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ James, Jesse (October 16, 2024). "Rod Wave Reflects on Love and Loneliness in "25"". StupidDope. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (October 25, 2024). "Billboard Unfiltered: Rod Wave, GloRilla, the State of Hip-Hop Journalism & BET Hip-Hop Awards". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ Trapp, Malcolm (July 3, 2024). "Rod Wave Confirms The Untimely Passing Of Uncle Dee: "I Love [You] So Much"". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Quincy (October 11, 2024). "Rod Wave – Last Lap (Album Review)". Ratings Game Music. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c Caulfield, Keith (October 21, 2024). "Jelly Roll Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With Beautifully Broken". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 27, 2024). "Yeat Lands First No. 1 on Billboard 200 With Lyfestyle". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Rod Wave – Last Lap" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 21, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "TurnTable Charts | Official Top 100 Albums | October 11th, 2024 - October 17th, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on October 27, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Wave - Last Lap 2LP". Shopify. Retrieved November 2, 2024.