"Letter from Houston" is a song by American rapper and singer Rod Wave, released on August 7, 2020, as part of the deluxe edition of his second studio album Pray 4 Love. The song's intro samples the 2009 song "Delirious" by American R&B duo Vistoso Bosses and rapper Soulja Boy.[1] The song finds Rod Wave writing a "heartfelt" letter to his loved one who he is in a long-distance relationship with.

"Letter from Houston"
Song by Rod Wave
from the album Pray 4 Love (Deluxe)
ReleasedAugust 7, 2020
Length2:53
LabelAlamo
Songwriter(s)Rodarius Green
Producer(s)
  • LondnBlue
  •  Karltin Bankz
  •  TnTXD
  • Tahj Money
Music video
"Letter from Houston" on YouTube

Critical reception

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Billboard's Carl Lamarre said the rapper "writes an endearing note to his love".[2] Similarly, Paul Duong of Rap Radar labelled the song a "heartfelt letter" that Rod Wave pens to his missed love one.[3] AllHipHop named the song a highlight from Pray 4 Love, and said Wave delivers a "soul-snatching croon".[4]

Music video

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The official video was released on August 6, 2020. The TruFilms-directed visual shows the effects of stardom on Rod's relationship with his lover.[5] He is seen in the driver's seat of a Rolls-Royce and in a dark room dimmed with a light.[3]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Letter from Houston"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 62
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] 24
US Rolling Stone Top 100[8] 29

Certifications

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Certifications for "Letter from Houston"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Mench, Chris; (Genius News Editor) (August 10, 2020). "Rod Wave's "Letter From Houston" Flips A 2009 Hit By R&B Duo Vistoso Bosses". Genius. Retrieved August 17, 2020. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Lamarre, Carl (August 7, 2020). "First Beat: New Music By Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Rod Wave & More". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Duong, Paul (August 7, 2020). "New Video: Rod Wave "Letter From Houston"". Rap Radar. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  4. ^ OnlineCrates (August 8, 2020). "Rod Wave Drops "Letter From Houston" and 'Pray For Love' Deluxe Album". AllHipHop. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  5. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (August 7, 2020). "Rod Wave Shares 'Pray 4 Love' Deluxe Album f/ Lil Baby and Yo Gotti". Complex. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  6. ^ "Rod Wave Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Rod Wave Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "Top 100 Songs, August 7, 2020 - August 13, 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  9. ^ "American single certifications – Rod Wave – Letter from Houston". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 5, 2023.