"Tombstone"
Single by Rod Wave
from the album SoulFly
ReleasedMarch 23, 2021
Length2:40
LabelAlamo
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jai Beats
  • Saucii
  • Eighty8
Rod Wave singles chronology
"Street Runner"
(2021)		 "Tombstone"
(2021)		 "Richer"
(2021)
Music video
"Tombstone" on YouTube

"Tombstone" is a song by American rapper Rod Wave, released on March 23, 2021 as the second single from his third studio album SoulFly (2021). It was produced by Jai Beats, Saucii and Eighty8.[1] The song is Wave's highest-charting single, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2]

Background

Rod Wave first previewed the song on Instagram Live in November 2020.[3]

Composition

The song is about Rod Wave's rise to fame and life growing up,[4] as well as the consequences of street life.[5] In the chorus, Rod Wave sings about "'lames' that constantly keep his name in their mouths" and his wish to be remembered as one of the "realest" rappers after his death: "And fuck these niggas 'cause they lame / Since they love saying my name / Make sure you write the truest in the motherfucking game / On my tombstone when they bury me / By the river, they will carry me / Finally, I'll be resting in peace".[5][6]

Music video

The music video was released alongside the single, directed by Reel Goats. It finds Rod Wave alone on a snowy mountain sing-rapping, switching to scenes of a child resembling a younger version of himself, who has a "tumultuous home life" while "still facing systemic issues".[7] The boy watches TV while his father is asleep and his mother at work. Another visual shows him at a "tense dinner" when his father gets abusive. Later, he is seen walking down a "sunny sidewalk", unaware that police have pulled up behind him. The kid gets shot and killed by the police, and it is revealed that he was deaf when he communicates his love for his mother in sign language.[5][7] The video ends with the kid's father, in a white tunic, laying him down to rest at a riverside, while CGI vines encircle him.[5]

Live performances

Rod Wave performed the song for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with a trio of singers and a pianist while on the porch alongside a body of water. The video was filmed in Florida.[8]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Tombstone"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[9] 26
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] 31
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 11
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] 5
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[13] 21

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Tombstone"
Chart (2021) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 98
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 38

References

  1. ↑ "Rod Wave Breaks Down The Meaning Of 'Tombstone'". Genius. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ Zellner, Xander (April 7, 2021). "Rod Wave Rules Hot 100 Songwriters Chart, Led by 'Tombstone' & More". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ Tombstone-Rodwave, retrieved April 11, 2021
  4. ↑ Cho, Regina (March 24, 2021). "Rod Wave shows a cold world in "Tombstone" visual". REVOLT. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Breihan, Tom (April 7, 2021). "Rod Wave Is The World's Saddest Rap Star". Stereogum. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  6. ↑ Zidel, Alex (March 24, 2021). "Rod Wave Releases Second "SoulFly" Single "Tombstone"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Saponara, Michael (March 24, 2021). "Rod Wave Drops 'Tombstone' Video After Fan Got Lyric Tattoo". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ Zemler, Emily (April 8, 2021). "Rod Wave Gets Soulful With 'Tombstone' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Rod Wave Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  10. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Rod Wave Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Rod Wave Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Rod Wave Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
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