Rod Wave is stepping away from music following backlash over his canceled tour.
Tour Cancellation and Fan Frustration
Just before he was set to perform in Nashville on January 28 for his Last Lap Tour, ticketholders were notified that the show had been postponed. The venue confirmed the delay on social media, promising details to come. The concert had already been rescheduled from December, leaving fans frustrated. Shortly after, Rod Wave canceled the entire tour and announced he was taking a break from music.
“To all my real fans, thank you. I love you, and I hope you finally heal from everything we’ve been through,” he wrote. “To everyone else dragging my name, constantly bashing me, and speaking on things that make me happy—I don’t mess with you. To the real fans, this isn’t goodbye. It’s just see you later. Keep your head up. As long as you have music, you’re not alone. Till we meet again.”
He also shared plans to “travel, see the world, find love, raise kids, probably go back to school.”
Ari Lennox Calls Out Rod Wave’s Silence
Rod Wave’s decision comes amid criticism from Ari Lennox, who called him out for failing to defend her after she faced hostility while opening for him. Responding to a viral video of Flo Milli being hit with a shoe on Gunna’s Bittersweet Tour, Lennox spoke out about her own experience.
“Flo Milli, I’m sorry this happened to you. You are a beautiful and incredibly talented woman. Some of these people can be so cruel,” she wrote on Instagram.
She then reflected on her time opening for Rod Wave on his Nostalgia Tour in 2023, where she was hit with a bottle thrown by the crowd. “Maybe I could’ve gotten over some of Rod Wave’s evil, racist, and demonic fans, but what made it worse was Rod saying nothing in my defense. Privately or publicly.”
Lennox recalled only meeting him once—by chance in a hotel lobby—despite repeated efforts to express gratitude for the opportunity. “I never had issues with violence or cruelty while opening for legendary singers and hip-hop acts. Those were some of the best tours of my life and taught me how to sing better.”
Acknowledging her own struggles with rejection, Lennox reflected on the contrast between her past experiences and the mistreatment she endured. “I was so blessed to be protected and spoiled by Dreamville on those tours. I didn’t know how easy I had it.”
She vowed never to open for another artist again. “Stop disrespecting openers. Stop justifying why they get mistreated on stage. Headliners, protect your openers.”
