Rod Wave takes legal action against promoter over $27 million tour

Rod Wave is getting ready to release a new album soon, led by his latest single “Leavin”, but the rollout is already turning into a complicated situation. According to Billboard, the rapper has filed a countersuit against the promoter who sued him for $27 million last month, claiming he failed to return advance payments.

The lawsuit stems from the “Last Lap” tour, which began at the end of last year but was repeatedly delayed into 2025. Grizzly Touring claims that the rapper is still required to work with them under their existing contract. In his counter-filing, submitted on Sunday (October 12), Rod Wave argues that Grizzly is trying to force him back into a partnership despite the tour issues that led to widespread cancellations and rescheduling.

The rapper, who recently parted ways with the “Blaming Jesus” collaboration, says the promoter’s handling of the tour made it “logistically impossible” to meet the schedule because of production setbacks and poor routing. He’s now asking the court to let him self-promote his upcoming “The Redemption Experience” tour, which will support the new album. To make this possible, the judge would need to void his contract with Grizzly Touring.

“Grizzly is not entitled to this improperly requested specific performance or equivalent injunctive relief, which effectively amounts to an indentured servitude,” said the Florida artist’s attorney, James Sammataro. “Defendants have lost confidence in Grizzly as their tour promoter and no longer wish to perform services for Grizzly or receive Grizzly’s services.”

Rod Wave Tour

Rod Wave performs at a sold-out Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2023. © Piet Levy / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

 

Grizzly Touring, however, claims that Rod Wave violated their agreement by canceling many of the scheduled tour dates, saying he must repay the $27 million advance. The rapper argues that Grizzly was the one who breached the deal with what he calls “unilateral, onerous and inexplicable routing and booking decisions.” He says that because of these missteps, he should keep the advance payments.

“Rod Wave frequently learned only at the last minute that [they] rescheduled [a show], often only after seeing tickets for these rescheduled shows available online,” the countersuit states. “Only 12 of the 35 scheduled [shows] occurred at the date and venue originally announced.”

Rod Wave is seeking financial damages for the cancellations and the harm done to his reputation. The outcome of this legal battle could shape what happens with his next tour.