The Great Gatsby has been referenced countless times in popular culture. One of the newer references comes from Rod Wave’s new track on his album Nostalgia.
Rod Wave, American rapper and singer, is a young artist that’s been making waves in the hip hop genre, as well as soul-trap. He’s gained notoriety for his emotional voice and is able to relate with people from different walks of life. His songs often focus on themes of love and wealth, and his new song “Great Gatsby” is no exception.
In the chorus of “Great Gatsby” Rod Wave says he “threw the party of the century, and people came over, no one left sober, and it was all for you, it was all for you”. This is a direct allusion to Gatsby’s elaborate parties with lots of alcohol. The intention of this party was to be grand and draw the attention of the subject of his song, a lover he wants to rekindle with. This aligns with Gatsby’s intentions as well and mirrors his sentiment to Daisy.
Rod Wave writes in a later verse that he wants to be with his lover and “close the door, [not] let the world in” and asks his lover if they can “go and hide in again”. This parallels Gatsby’s and Daisy’s own rekindling when they hide from the public in Gatsby’s mansion when they reconnect. They intended to hide their love they same way Rod wants to hide.
It’s interesting to see how The Great Gatsby has endured after nearly 100 years, and is still being referenced in popular culture. The themes of love and wealth are still synonymous with the novel, and modern cultural icons still resonate with the messages.