SoulFly

SoulFly is the third studio album by American rapper Rod Wave. It was released on March 26, 2021, through Alamo Records. The album features a sole guest appearance from Polo G. The deluxe edition of the album was released on August 20, 2021. It features additional guest appearances from Kodak Black and Lil Durk. The album continues Rod Wave's signature "tenacity for poignant and evocative storytelling". Background In August 2020, during an interview with Billboard, Rod Wave said he would release his third album that same month. However, a deluxe edition of Pray 4 Love was released instead. In late January 2021, he took to Instagram, revealing the album's cover art, while calling out his label for reportedly not paying him, and stated he would not release new music until they do so. Days later, he returned to Instagram, apologizing to his label, assuring fans "we just figured it out everything cool", and revealed that the album would be released in a couple of weeks. Concept The album continues Rod Wave's candid emotional subject matters about his life and upbringing; "a story of a man scarred from his experiences with his family's struggles and racial disparities". The Faders Jordan Darville noted: "SoulFly is something like an intense conversation, with Wave's passion and ear for beats makes the listener connect their own life with what Wave is sharing. Whether that's turmoil or flexing, Wave makes his heart's concerns sound universal". Billboards Jason Lipshutz deemed the album Rod Wave's "most authoritative project to date, a collection of passionate stories coiled around melodies that are croaked out, rapped and crooned". Rod Wave initially did not plan to have any features on the album. However, he changed his mind after meeting Polo G at a jewelry store; Polo had told him he is a fan of his work, much to Rod's surprise. Critical reception