Rod Wave is accused in a recently filed lawsuit of owing more than $27 million to Grizzly Touring, described in court docs viewed by Complex as “a promoter of large-scale events for hip-hop and other musical artists.”
The suit is unique in that it includes extensive paperwork related to the Last Lap artist’s various tour agreements among its exhibits, including a North American tour offer signed by Rod in February 2023. According to Grizzly Touring’s legal team, per docs filed in Florida on Sept. 29, the $27 million figure accounts for “unearned and unrecouped advances” made to Rod and his Hit House Entertainment company.
Grizzly says it agreed to guarantee Rod $40,250,000 to perform 35 shows, half of which was paid upfront. Additional funds were later advanced, Grizzly added, with Rod allegedly failing to “honor his obligations” under an amended tour deal.
“[Rod Wave] has only performed 26 shows since the Last Lap tour began in October 2024,” Grizzly’s lawyers write. “That means [Rod] has only earned $29,900,000 against the guarantee, pursuant to its terms, and, as a result, now owes Grizzly $27 million for the amounts Grizzly advanced and paid on [Rod’s] behalf.”
Rod “refuses to pay Grizzly a single penny,” the lawsuit further claims, adding that he “has instead chosen to spend his advance on private jets and lavish second homes.”
Canceled shows are also cited in the court docs viewed by Complex, with Grizzly refuting Rod’s claims that dates were rescheduled or called off entirely due to “poor scheduling and routing” on Grizzly’s part. Instead, Grizzly argues, such shows were affected by production issues, over which they have no control.
In a move Grizzly likens to an “insult to injury,” Rod’s public announcement of a new tour through his own company is cited. As Grizzly puts in the suit, this marks a “direct violation” of the exclusivity obligations agreed upon in their amended tour deal with the artist.
Complex has reached out to Rod Wave’s reps for comment. This story may be updated.
The suit is unique in that it includes extensive paperwork related to the Last Lap artist’s various tour agreements among its exhibits, including a North American tour offer signed by Rod in February 2023. According to Grizzly Touring’s legal team, per docs filed in Florida on Sept. 29, the $27 million figure accounts for “unearned and unrecouped advances” made to Rod and his Hit House Entertainment company.
Grizzly says it agreed to guarantee Rod $40,250,000 to perform 35 shows, half of which was paid upfront. Additional funds were later advanced, Grizzly added, with Rod allegedly failing to “honor his obligations” under an amended tour deal.
“[Rod Wave] has only performed 26 shows since the Last Lap tour began in October 2024,” Grizzly’s lawyers write. “That means [Rod] has only earned $29,900,000 against the guarantee, pursuant to its terms, and, as a result, now owes Grizzly $27 million for the amounts Grizzly advanced and paid on [Rod’s] behalf.”
Rod “refuses to pay Grizzly a single penny,” the lawsuit further claims, adding that he “has instead chosen to spend his advance on private jets and lavish second homes.”
Canceled shows are also cited in the court docs viewed by Complex, with Grizzly refuting Rod’s claims that dates were rescheduled or called off entirely due to “poor scheduling and routing” on Grizzly’s part. Instead, Grizzly argues, such shows were affected by production issues, over which they have no control.
In a move Grizzly likens to an “insult to injury,” Rod’s public announcement of a new tour through his own company is cited. As Grizzly puts in the suit, this marks a “direct violation” of the exclusivity obligations agreed upon in their amended tour deal with the artist.
Complex has reached out to Rod Wave’s reps for comment. This story may be updated.
