The newly Grammy-nominated rap star Rod Wave is no stranger to Chicago’s character-building cold weather. The Floridian has been bringing Chicago fans along on his journey to superstardom since he was an opener for rapper Kevin Gates in 2019. Six years and several tours of his own later, the “Tombstone” rapper returned to the United Center Monday night for the first of two concerts on his “Redemption Experience” tour, the first under his own Mainstay Touring company.
Around 17,900 of Wave’s fans endured the burning cold, waiting outside the United Center. Some pregamed with mini bottles of Don Julio before entering, while others stood patiently. Dalion Morgan, a fan who braved the weather to see him, says it means a lot for Wave to perform in Chicago despite being from St. Petersburg.
“It means a lot because he’s not from here, but he’s been able to show love to us because we love him. (I’m) just glad it can be reciprocated,” said Morgan.
Wave fans are known to be a dedicated bunch. Some traveled from across the country to hear his brand of trap soul music. The vulnerability he displays in songs he performed Monday, including “Dark Cloud,” “By Your Side” and “2018” with guest artist Sadie Jean, can deliver a unique catharsis. His fans can relate to his subjects of overcoming adversity, dealing with mental health challenges and following dreams, no matter the difficulty.
One longtime fan, Vontae Gee, traveled from Memphis to Chicago with friends to celebrate his birthday. He says Wave’s music connects with many people beyond racial or gender boundaries.
“He relates to a lot of us with the pain in his music,” Gee said. “He’s the GOAT. He’s doing what a lot of rappers are not doing, and that’s relating to his fans. A lot of folks just go in the booth and say whatever, but him — he honestly makes songs that can relate to the next person, male or female.”
Fans watch Rod Wave perform at the United Center on Dec. 15, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Sanjay “Dharmic” Jain, who is part of Wave’s management team and runs Mainstay Distribution, spoke to the Tribune before the concert. To him, what separates “Redemption Experience” from previous tours is Rod owning his own company and everyone’s involvement, especially compared to his 2024 “Last Lap” tour, which was cut short.
“In the past, the shows have been incredible, but I think there was a lot of learning that needed to happen. This time, Rod and his team have been really in the weeds of putting this show together from the production, to the routing, to insurance, to every aspect,” said Jain.
The show kicked off with an animated video introduction that showed Wave driving down a road decorated with his career highlights and fondest memories. Notably, a portion of that video contained archival footage of his late uncle and manager, Dereck Lane, affectionately known as Uncle Dereck.
The eager crowd didn’t need Wave to come out to get the concert started. When “Rags to Riches” played during the video package, the whole United Center sang every word. In fact, even before Wave could make his grand entrance on stage, the crowd was singing “Already Won” so loud, you could barely hear the instrumental.
Wave appeared draped in a cream designer sweatshirt, grey distressed jeans and platinum jewelry that twinkled brighter than the lights above him. “(Expletive) is a real blessing, a real dream come true,” he said to his fans.
“Oh my god, Rod Wave!” a female fan yelled beside me.
The song “Green Light” was one of the more electrifying moments of the night. As if on command, fans flashed their green wristbands in the air to accompany the flashing green lights across the area to make a dazzling effect. The emotionally driven songs “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Girl of My Dreams” had Wave delivering some of his most powerful vocals of the night.
Rod Wave had another captivating moment when he brought out collaborator Jean, who’s become a fan favorite in her own right. The two sat underneath dueling soft purple lights and sang “Nostalgia” and “2018.”
During an intermission, a trailer was screened for his upcoming documentary “Don’t Look Down.” Much of it was video footage of his time with Uncle Dereck, a man who was a major influence on his life.
A tribute to his uncle over the confessional “Long Journey” was one of the show’s most somber, touching moments of the evening. Wave performed over a video dedicated to the flamboyant leader of his team.
Key Gabana, another longtime fan who traveled from Memphis, said the “Long Journey” tributes, which Wave also performed during “Last Lap,” were her favorite part of his tours.
“No matter what goes on, he always shows something about Uncle D,” she said.
“He really set the tone for what we’re trying to build,” Jain said about Lane. “His relationship with Rod and their conversation over the years really set the tone for where we are and what we’re trying to get to.”
Amid the bright lights, Wave turned the United Center into his own image of a church. The crowd sang every song throughout the whole two hours as if they were his choir. They were the same fans who had been captivated by his journey and his story for years.
Mark Braboy is a freelance writer.
