By Michael Kinney
Photos: Torrey Purvey
OKLAHOMA CITY– Earlier this year there may not have been any entertainer in the country with a brighter spotlight on them than Rod Wave. The 25-year-old Florida native had seemingly burst onto the scene with his combination of Southern Rap and R&B melodies and was on the tip of everyone’s tongue as one of the leaders of the new school.
However, after a series of public allegations accusing him of plagiarism and sampling began to dog Wave’s trail, it was unknown just exactly how he would respond.
It just so happened that one of Wave’s first appearances after the spate of allegations hit was at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Even though he was the headliner for The Nostalgia Tour, some in the city thought the show might be canceled.
However, Wave did the exact opposite and put on a performance in front of thousands at the Paycom Center Nov. 24 that seemed to show fans and critics alike what he is really about.
But before Wave took the stage, the tour’s opening acts had their time to shine. Eelmatic, Toosii and Ari Lennox brought different styles of textures to the show that complimented each other well.
Lennox, who almost stole the show with her see-through black dress, brought a sultry feel to the night. She gave Floetry and Lauryn Hill vibe that is reminiscent of the days when Neo-Soul was the rage.
When it was time for Wave to take the stage, the crowd had been built up into a nice little frenzy.
Dressed in his black jumpsuit with the black towel over his shoulder, Wave went through an impressive melody of songs that makes you forget he just turned 25.
The younger members of the crowd seemed to know each and every word that Wave belted out. That includes “Letters From Houston”, “Girl of My Dreams” and “Rags2Riches”. “Great Gatsby” had his fans in their feelings while
Yet, Wave also threw the older fans a little bone with his callback to 90s R&B. These standards had old and young alike singing along together.
If Wave had been concerned about any of the bad press that preceded his stop in Oklahoma City, he didn’t show it. He did what working entertainers do and soldiered on.
That may be what Wave’s fans appreciate about him the most. Despite his ability to entertain arenas, he performs as if he is still trying to make his way up the ladder. That’s a talent he is more than likely to keep for the foreseeable future.
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