Analytic Dreamz: Notorious Mass Effect - "ROD WAVE - DON'T LOOK DOWN"

Episode Date: June 19, 2026

Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠⁠Join The Normandy For Ad-Free NME, Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠⁠ In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz breaks down Rod Wave’s official announcement of his highly anticipated new studio album, Don’t Look Down, set for release on August 28, 2026. The follow-up to his 2024 album Last Lap, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, arrives with a powerful cinematic trailer that opens at a funeral and shifts into Rod Wave’s bold new business mindset. He declares an end to sneaky deals, side hustles, and middlemen, focusing instead on building an independent machine while staying focused: “Don’t Look Down.”Analytic Dreamz explores the trailer’s emotional depth, the soulful unreleased track preview featuring lyrics “I am the chosen one / The only one they banking on,” and the lead single dropping soon. The discussion also covers Rod Wave’s personal growth, how he’s learned to manage pain, find balance, and take full control of his career as a Grammy-nominated artist.Fans can preorder limited-edition vinyl, CDs, and 1,000 signed copies while supplies last. This segment delivers the latest updates, key insights, and what Don’t Look Down means for Rod Wave’s evolution in 2026.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shepard, promise me you'll tell them to subscribe for a free content. Now, of course, with the latest announcement from Rod Wave, Rodarius, Wave, the main thing about don't look up or don't look down coming out August 28th is that we don't have to ask the question anymore, how many laps can Rod Wave actually complete? Shepard. All right, my fault. Nobody was asking that. But you know what people were asking.

where it was our refund for the last lap tour you know what I'm saying I'm saying I'm saying I was like damn look at the state of hip hop like what's going on as one of the biggest things I wanted to get into because he's continuing his tour run

with the don't look down tour as if you don't know analytic dreams video on Spotify to see the video along with the audio because I currently have all the dates up on the screen right now as you see he's going from September 12th all the way to November 18th And as far as the questions people have about this current tour, if you don't know, the last lap tour faced a lot of backlash. Why? Because many felt disrespected because not only did a plethora of shows get canceled. More specifically, this man, Rodway had about 12 to 26 of the 35 plus dates that actually occurred as planned.

and went as planned. But when it comes to the 12 to 26 shows, people were saying that it was immaculent. So it's not like, oh, you go to a raw wave show and he gives a half, you know what performance, or you go to a rod wave show and he can't sing live. It was never those type of complaints. The complaints were that the show just didn't happen.

It just blatantly didn't happen. And more specifically, there was a last-minute cancellation like Nashville. So people were already in the arena for Nashville. And it just got canceled last minute. And they was just, you know what I'm saying? They just had to look. Now, I do believe they got their refund.

But you know who didn't get their refund? It was Grizzly productions. And no, not T. Grizzly, ladies and gentlemen. All right, my fault. I don't think they thought it was T. Grisley. But anyways, it wasn't T. T. Grizzly as it was Grizzly touring. a joint venture of AG entertainment,

mammoth touring and CTS Eventum. Now, the reason why I'm talking about this is because them suing Rod Wave is a humongous deal. Now, over here at notorious mass effect, we get into the gaming and music IPs that notoriously affect the masses. And the reason why I started off this segment talking about really focusing on Rod Wave's album

coming out August 28th, and I went into talking about his touring, announcement is because he still has a humongous lawsuit that's ongoing from his last tour and setting aside the public perception the company that he was partnering with with his last tour they are very irate let's just say they're a little perturbed at rodarius as of right now as his lawsuit is still ongoing if you don't know grizzly touring is basically suing to suing Rod Wave as Grizzly gave Rod Wave

in advance of $57 million for a planned 35 to 40 dates for their arena tour including $20 million in production. Now, of course, this lawsuit's ongoing. We don't know who's on the right end of this particular situation.

But when it comes to $57 million as far as in advance, I ain't go a lot to you, Grizzly Torin. Rob, way, blew that. You know what I'm saying? You want that 57 million? You got to sue again, my brother. Who do need them?

We go forward. $57 million is obviously a lot of money. So when it comes to them only having about 12 to 26 of the shows actually happening out of the 35 plus dates, more specifically out of the 35 to 40 dates that was playing, they're a little upset. So, 26 shows was completed. Rod Wave canceled the rest of the shows in January 2025,

citing severe production slash routing failures. And he claims he spent $13 million on production that simply, quote, didn't work. And of course, I think it's a real reason, but I ain't trying to snitch. I said, I ain't trying to snitch. You know, that's supposed to be my snitching drop. I don't know why I keep playing young thug. Anyways, Rod Wave also had. a foot and ankle injury.

Now, when it comes to that specifically, I think that is why Grizzly Torring is a little irate and upset, because technically they could be like, you know what, you only canceled it because you hurt your ankle. But now, Rod Wave is coming down saying that, nah, I spend $13 million. I spend $13. Forget the $57 million advance y'all gave me.

I spent $13 million on production that simply, quote, this is from Rod Wave, didn't work. So this is a predict. him in there ladies and gentlemen you guys see that's the problem so now grizzly touring is claiming that rod wave owes them 27 million dollars in unrecouped advances plus damages alleging breach of contract refusal to repay and using funds for personal expenses hmm what type of baddie was he i mean what type of work-related instances was he using it $57 million advance for it? The world may never know.

I'm no snitch, you know, it is Juneteenth. I respect a black man getting his money, you know what I'm saying? But obviously, Grizzly touring is not going for that at all. So guess what? Rodway fired back. And with his lawyers and things that nature, they accused Grizzly of mismanagement that made completing the tour, quote-unquote, logistically impossible.

and Rod Wave's lawyers called it an attempt to quote indentured servitude by trying to lock him into future deals and Rod Wave is seeking to void obligations and proceed independently. And if you think about this up-to-date announcement as far as the don't look tour, he basically is continuing that independent mindset. as Rod Wave created mainstade touring, which is basically his own company that he created to take full control after the issue. So I think if this was actually Rodway trying to get over on Grizzly touring, he would have just partnered with Live Nation.

If you don't know, technically Live Nation did just get busted for a monopoly, but it's still going to take some time to actually figure out what they're going to do to counteract. that quote-unquote monopoly because let me see if i could find it right quick i think it's ticket let me see okay so i i covered this back in 2024 so basically doge's blockbuster lawsuit against live nation slash ticket master it went through and they've been actually called a monopoly

let me see and i don't have to say allegedly none of that because let me see where i don't know if i covered the up-to-date one but i did cover when it first happened so essentially looking at is this one to live nation okay here we go so live nation ticket master illegally monopolized big concert ventures jury rules so as you can see right here a new york jury ruled on wednesday that live nation and his ticket master unit operated as an illegal monopoly handling dozens of states and uh handing dozens of states an important legal win against the ticketing giant so when it comes to that to compare it to rod wave the reason why i'm even talking about this in the first place is because if rod wave was trying to get over on them, even though a lot of nation, like I just showed, just were ruled

as a monopoly, you could have easily partnered with them and continued your touring adventures. But he decided to actually make an independent company, which is mainstay touring, and go about that for the Don't Look Down tour. The reason why that's a big deal is because I think he's actually going about the proper channels to actually rectify the situation that happened with his last tour. And I think that's a big deal because if you only barely complete, you didn't even complete, well, I guess you technically complete it over half, but to complete 26 out of the proposed 40 dates of your last lap tour, I think this is a step in the direction, the step in the right

direction to actually showcase that you actually mean what you say as far as wanting to rectify what happened with your last tour and fixing it with this quarantine. current tour. So to bring this all up is because he just announced an album that's set to come out August 28th, analytic dreams video on Spotify to see the video along with the audio because I'm currently showcasing his vinyl. So he has vinyl and CDs. As you can already see, some of them are sold out. You can get at official rodwave.com. This is not a sponsor. I'm just letting his fans know where they can get his product. And then when you look at the rest, I think not only, is the album going to do Immaculent? Because now to get into Rod Wave as a musician.

I mean, this man is one of the biggest stars. I don't know if he's technically hip-hop because he sings a lot, but he's one of the biggest stars in the hip-hop culture. As last lap in 2024 did 127,000 units first week, debut in number two on Billboard 200. And that's, I mean, I don't know who beat him out in 2024. Hold on, let me see. Let me do some Mickey research right quick. Who, you know. Let me see. Okay.

So after a little Mickey research, safe to say that Rod Wave's last lap was beat out. Oh, by Jelly Row. Two people that be singing about being depressed. I mean, two people that make magnificent music. You never get that misconstrued. You guys. See, that's the problem. As when it comes to Jelly Row, he sold $161,000 first week.

When it comes to Rod Wave, he sold $127,000. So he went head to hell with a superstar. any other week, I think he could have got that number one slot. But basically, getting back in the roadway, being one of the biggest artists in the hip hop culture, he essentially set a record for something. I'm trying to see if I can find it. Okay, so basically, last lap in 2024 made him the only male artist with top 10 album every year from 2019 to 2024 with seven consecutive top tens. Basically, not only showcasing his dominance, but his.

consistency in the music industry. And then also, when it comes to having three consecutive number one Billboard 200 albums as far as So Fly Beautiful Mind and nostalgia, he's the only artist besides Taylor Swift with a new solo number one each year for multiple years to go number one. So essentially speaking, Broadwave is him when it comes to the music industry. I think with this don't look down album, he would probably sell around 100 to 130 first week because I'm just comparing it to nostalgia selling 137,000 first week. I think it was his, yeah, that was objectively speaking, his career high. Beautiful mine in 2022, did 115,000 debut at number one. Last lap that came out, 2024, did 127,000 units would have went number one if it wasn't for Jelly Road,

doing 160,000 first week. So it went number two. But basically, I think he's in that lane as of right now. We've just seen enough history to showcase that he is definitely a triple-digit artist. I don't think he will sell under 100. And I don't think he's going to beat out. I don't think he's going to beat out nostalgia. That's his career high as far as 137,000 first week.

So I would say between 100,000 to 130,000. I don't think it would go into the 140s, but I believe 100 to 130,000. is the sweet spot as far as how much impact Rod Wade has on the music industry. Now, of course, when it comes to him being under Alamo, I believe he's under Alamo as far as his specific album, this is a very interesting scenario because not only is he already being sued by Grizzly Torring, I do not know exactly when his deal is up with Alamo, but that could prove as being a big obstacle as far as his major label being concerned. because I don't know exactly when he's out of his deal,

but usually when you're on the last album for your major label, they either want you to re-up as far as signing for additional albums or the other scenario is they could coincidentally stop marketing your album for no reason other than to not raise your value so you can like go somewhere else. So basically the reason why I say that is because his last album, let's see if I can pull up, last lap. Okay, his last lap album was under Alamo, which is under Sony. Currently, Sony has 30% of the music market share.

UMG has 57%. Sony has 30%. Warner has 12% and others, which is basically independent acts or smaller labels. They have a whopping 1%. So the reason why I'll say that is because I believe Sony, it would be in Sony's best interest to put a lot of marketing dollars behind Rod Wave, which is why when you look at his Instagram, His two videos as far as the trailers for Don't Look Down.

I think they're immaculent. I mean, really just getting into a mob boss type of mentality for his specific rollout. And I'm just glad that artists are actually having rollouts nowadays. You know, they're actually putting forth effort when it comes to having a magnificent rollout to get people excited about the upcoming album. Gone are the days that these hip-hop musicians and singers basically say to themselves, oh, you know what? albums coming out at midnight.

Like, no, that's not how I work no more. You have to actually give us a phenomenal rollout. Or we're just not going to care. You know what I'm saying? We've already seen that hip hop is in a horrendous place right now, as last year already reported on, let me see that I can find it. Already reported on, is it this one?

Let me see, Billboard. Oh, yeah. So October 31st, 2025, I reported saying no rap songs in the Billboard Top 40, for the first time in 35 years. Now, of course, Rob Wave isn't a rap artist, but he's definitely in the hip hop culture, in my opinion. So, but that being said, Drake, of course. Is it okay, I got my dope on me?

And, you know, it would be J-Code, but, you know, he just decided to, you know, just be, he decided to disappear from the charts, you know what I'm saying? It's almost, it almost makes me wonder, who is Drake talking about when he said 100 million streams disappear and nobody has question for people? You know what I'm saying? Shepard.

All right, my fault. obviously he was talking about Kendrick couldn't have been talking about jaco but anyways um so we have don't oliver with is don't still on here yeah here it is okay so octane has is the 12th most play album in the world drake currently has the number one most play album in the world with ice man habibt is the 13th most play album in the world and then of course made of honor is the 26 most play album in a world now of course he has other albums as far as take care being the 25th and views being the 49th but when it comes the hip-hop, I mean, they're just receiving BTA right now by every other genre.

I mean, Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen, Malcolm Todd, Noah, Kahan. I mean, these artists are going crazy. So I am definitely an advocate for hip-hop artists notoriously affecting the masses because just because you sell a lot does not mean you make the best product. And just because you don't sell does not mean you're making horrendous garbage. The two

do not correlate. But when it comes to the actual superstar analytics and comparing them to one another, hip-hop is just not in the same state that it used to be in the past. So I, definitely commend Rod Wave going with this Hollywood type of production style for his trailers for Don't Look Down. So that's the main thing I wanted to point out.

If you don't know, I'm a huge Rodway fan. I think he's going to have an immaculate album. You know, as much as growing up, you know, I am 26 going on 80. But when I was a wee little lad, as far as five to four to five years ago, listening to Rod Wave, I was thinking to myself, man, that man is very depressed. And then fast forward to 2026, that man is still depressed. You know what I'm saying? There's no growth, no continuation, but that music is still fire.

He almost reminds me of Juice World how he could just really stick to one subject matter and it be a detriment to his mental health and nobody cares. You know what I'm saying? I'm like nobody's going to ask Rod Wave if he needs therapy. You got you know what I'm saying? Anyways, I guess not. So don't look down. It's obviously a playoff of something.

And I'm not going to, I'm not trying to get that series. But it's very much going to be a sad album. When Rod Wave talked about the album, um, I'm trying to see if I can find this. Oh, this is just the overview of his trailer. But what Rod Wave was talking about the album, he was saying, quote,

I am the chosen one. The only one they banking on me, real stuff, that raw stuff they're waiting on. Pulse. That's basically, um, don't look down reflects a more mature version of himself. How much you want to bet?

He's still singing about being. depressed. All right, my fault. Let's keep going. And now that Rod Wave has a stronger understanding of the music industry, I think that's why he went on to create his independent touring company that once again is mainstay touring that he's going to be having for the Don't Look Down tour in the midst of a $57 million lawsuit, which has no resolution, by the way.

We don't know if they settled. Actually, they haven't settled. No reports of any settlement is still ongoing. And apparently, these type of cases. drag on for years so i don't even know what's going to happen but 57 million dollars on the line um grisly touring is winning what they're wanting 27 million from rod wave rod wave ben blew that money buddy you have to find him on the back end anyways um so that's basically it was limited edition vinyl editions uh CDs already showed that i'm a huge rodway fan once again i'm very much

looking forward to it as soon as the album comes out i'm a press play i just want to give y'all the total a picture of what Rod Wave is dealing with because his lawsuit is a big deal. I'm not going to put it on the level of Drake suing UMG. Is it okay? I got dope on me. Because you already know how that is. We had an old episode talking about Drake, as you can see right here, analytic dreams video on Spotify to see the video along

with the audio. But when it comes to Rod Wave suing or being sued in the midst of you trying to go on another tour, I mean, you really got to knock this tour out of the park. You can't have any ankle injuries, no nothing. And it's a shame, but you put yourself in this predicament. You can't have any type of complications when it comes to people seeing you live because they're going to compare it to

the last lap tour and you barely not even completing it you barely did half of that tour so now you definitely can't have any complications with this album so with that being it with that being said ladies and gentlemen for all my rodway fans out there including myself are you excited for the don't look down album coming out august 12 uh august 28 so that being said click my link sure in my bio let me know one of my social medias, well, click my link to your bio, follow me on my social medias. And if you're on Spotify, let me know what do you think of Rod Wave? And of course, when it comes to his tour, where you be seeing him live? And do you believe that his album, don't look down, would be one of his best in his discography?