Rod Wave Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges Hours After Receiving First Grammy Nomination
Rod Wave, the rapper-singer known for his emotionally charged blend of rap and R&B, was arrested in Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 7, on drug and weapons-related charges. The arrest came on the same day he earned the first Grammy nomination of his career, marking a sharp contrast between a professional milestone and a new round of legal scrutiny.
According to Fulton County jail records, the artist, born Rodarius Green, was booked on two counts of possessing a controlled substance, possession of a firearm or knife, and reckless driving. He was released the following day, Nov. 8, after posting an $8,000 bond, his attorney confirmed.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, attorneys Drew Findling, Marissa Goldberg, and Zack Findling strongly criticized the circumstances of the arrest, describing Green as “unjustly profiled and unlawfully arrested.” They claimed the officer involved belonged to the Atlanta Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit, a group they characterized as relying on “aggressive tactics” and prioritizing high arrest numbers over public safety.
“Mr. Green was targeted as part of this quota-driven approach, a practice that undermines justice and erodes community trust,” the statement read. “We look forward to vigorously challenging this baseless arrest and the clear violations of Mr. Green’s rights in court.”
The Atlanta Police Department has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
The arrest arrives during a period of heightened visibility for Green. He received his first Grammy nomination on Friday for Best Song Written for Visual Media, recognizing his contribution “Sinners” to Ryan Coogler’s hit film of the same name. For the 25-year-old artist, who has built a loyal fan base on introspective songwriting and chart-topping albums, the nod represents a significant professional achievement, one now overshadowed by the legal developments of the same day.
This isn’t Green’s first encounter with law enforcement this year. In May and June, he was arrested by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on a slate of serious charges, including aggravated assault, reckless conduct, simple assault, battery, conspiracy to commit a felony, and accusations that he pointed a firearm at someone. He was released then on a $50,000 bond, and his lawyer denied the allegations at the time.
“There is no truth to these charges,” attorney Drew Findling told Rolling Stone earlier this year. “Rod Green was a victim of a burglary and committed no crimes. How he was even charged as a result of this situation is incomprehensible. This will absolutely be resolved favorably to Mr. Green.”
Green last released a full-length project in 2024 with Last Lap, continuing his run of commercially successful albums. More recently, he issued the single “Leavin” in October, signaling new music on the horizon.
