I think I been chosen to be a 2020 XXL Freshman 'cause, you know

When Rod Wave declared, “I think I been chosen to be a 2020 XXL Freshman 'cause, you know, I been rocking with XXL since I started, you know what I'm saying? They respect grind, you know?” he was not merely speaking of music or accolades. He was voicing an eternal truth: that recognition comes to those who labor faithfully, that respect is given not to the idle or the boastful, but to the one whose struggle, persistence, and unyielding spirit cannot be denied. His words echo the cries of all who have toiled in obscurity until their moment of acknowledgment finally arrived.

The first truth he names is the idea of being chosen. In his statement, Rod Wave is not claiming entitlement, but rather expressing wonder that his long journey, filled with hardship and determination, has brought him to a stage where others now affirm his worth. To be chosen is not merely to be selected by a magazine or a committee, but to be lifted by the unseen weight of destiny and the visible fruits of one’s effort. It is a moment when private struggles are revealed as the foundation for public recognition.

The second truth is his recognition that XXL, a voice of the culture, respects grind. This word, grind, carries with it a sacred power. It is the work done in silence, the nights spent perfecting one’s craft when no one applauds, the battles fought within the soul to continue forward when failure seems certain. Grind is perseverance in its rawest form, and it is this that Rod Wave identifies as the currency of respect. For talent may open doors, but only grind keeps them open.

History gives us examples of this truth. Consider the life of Frederick Douglass, who, born into slavery, taught himself to read and write in secret, grinding against the chains of ignorance placed upon him. His rise to become one of the greatest orators and abolitionists of his time was not because opportunity was given freely, but because he ground his way forward with unyielding determination. In a different age, the grind of Douglass mirrors the grind of Rod Wave: perseverance against odds, until respect is forced into recognition.

The deeper meaning of Rod Wave’s words is the union between loyalty and recognition. He reminds us that he has been “rocking with XXL since I started”—that his faithfulness and his connection to the culture preceded his elevation. This is not the story of one who arrives suddenly, but of one who has walked the long road alongside others, who now stand to honor his endurance. Respect is not demanded, it is earned over time, in the quiet consistency of loyalty and labor.

For us, the lesson is profound: do not measure yourself by the swiftness of recognition, but by the steadfastness of your grind. Recognition may delay, opportunities may falter, but the respect of others is inevitable for those who do not quit. Life honors the one who perseveres. The world bends, in time, to the strength of consistent effort.

Practical wisdom follows: whatever your craft—whether art, business, study, or service—commit yourself to the grind. Do not despair if your work seems unseen; every hour, every drop of sweat, is building a foundation that will one day bring respect. Support those who labor beside you, for respect is also born in community. And when your moment of recognition comes, remember as Rod Wave did: it was not sudden luck, but the long years of faithfulness that prepared you for it.

Thus, Rod Wave’s words endure not only as a celebration of a career milestone, but as a timeless teaching. To be chosen is to endure. To be respected is to grind. Let us then embrace the path of perseverance, walking it with patience and strength, knowing that in time, respect will come, and our struggles will be crowned with acknowledgment that no one can take away.