The news arrived in a jarring duality for Rod Wave: a coveted Grammy nomination and the cold steel of handcuffs, all within the same weekend. The 27-year-old rapper, celebrated for raw emotion in tracks like “Street Runner” and “Heart On Ice,” found himself facing arrest as his artistry reached a new peak.
Atlanta Police took Rodarius Marcell Green into custody on Friday, November 7th, leveling four charges against him. Authorities allege possession of a firearm during a crime, alongside charges of controlled substance possession and reckless driving. The arrest unfolded after a call reporting a possible domestic disturbance at a private residence.
What officers discovered wasn’t a simple dispute, but a complex situation involving a previously unreported burglary and the subsequent discharge of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing, piecing together the sequence of events that led to the rapper’s arrest.
He reportedly turned himself in and was released the following day on an $8,000 bond. His legal team immediately responded, vehemently asserting his innocence and alleging unjust profiling by the Atlanta Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit.
The attorneys claim the unit operates under a “quota-driven approach,” prioritizing arrest numbers over genuine public safety. They are prepared to challenge the legality of the arrest and defend Green against what they believe is a violation of his rights.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this year, in May, Green faced a barrage of 14 charges, including aggravated assault and firearm possession, stemming from an incident following a burglary at his home. A pistol was reportedly fired fourteen times during an ensuing argument, damaging vehicles and walls.
His lawyer at the time, Drew Findling, maintained Green was a victim, not a perpetrator, calling the charges “incomprehensible.” The case remains a point of contention, with Findling confident in a favorable resolution.
The pattern extends further back. In 2024, Green was arrested in Florida on suspicion of involvement in a gang-related shooting. And in 2022, he faced a battery by strangulation charge, later dismissed as a “misunderstanding” by his legal team.
Despite these legal battles, Rod Wave’s musical ascent has been remarkable. He’s become a touring powerhouse, earning $36 million from just 31 shows and ranking among the top-grossing rappers of all time.
His breakthrough came in 2019 with “Heart on Ice,” a viral TikTok sensation that propelled him into the mainstream. Since then, he’s released five albums, each reaching the top ten of the Billboard 200, a feat unmatched by any other male artist in recent years.
The Grammy nomination, for “Sinners” from the horror film of the same name, represents a significant milestone in his career. Yet, it arrived shadowed by the weight of these latest accusations, leaving his future uncertain as the legal proceedings unfold.
