Him All Alongside
Memphis rapper Key Glock is not any beginner, however he’s simply getting began. Wager on it.
Interview: C. Vernon Coleman II
Editor’s Notice: This story seems within the Summer time 2025 problem of XXL Journal, on newsstands now and obtainable on the market on the XXL web site.
It could take a blind man to not see that Key Glock is leveling up. It’s onerous to overlook the bumblebee-colored Ferrari Purosangue with an estimated price ticket of $430,000 (not counting all of the customizing) or the 20-plus, 20-point diamonds in his enamel. With a latest nod from Beyoncé, a brand new cope with Republic Data, and a high 10 album debut besides, the 27-year-old South Memphis rhymer is a major instance of persistence and expertise paying off in a significant means.
Key Glock is 9 calendars right into a profession that began with the 2016 mixtape Entire Lotta Errthang. The next yr, Key inked a cope with his cousin Younger Dolph’s rising indie imprint Paper Route Empire and went on a run of solo and collaborative tasks, together with Glock Season (2017), Glock Bond (2018), Glockoma (2018), the Dum and Dummer mixtape sequence with Dolph (2019, 2021), Son of a Gun (2020), and the albums Yellow Tape (2020), Yellow Tape 2 (2021) and Glockoma 2 (2023).
Dolph’s demise in November of 2021 marked a darkish second in Key’s life and profession, which induced him to fall again and mirror. However two years later, Glock returned to type and bounced again with the album Glockoma 2. Then the anthemic King Wonka and Hadouken Beats-produced monitor “Let’s Go,” which appeared on the Glockoma 2 deluxe in the summertime of 2023, spawned one of many yr’s finest bangers. All eyes had been in his path as soon as once more.
Key parlayed that platinum success and anticipation for his follow-up album into a significant label cope with Republic Data this previous March. He launched his extremely anticipated Glockaveli album in Could. The undertaking debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart, Glock’s highest chart accolade for a solo launch. He cemented the trouble with a headlining tour that led to June.
Glock’s hustle by no means stops. His subsequent priorities are his European tour, his Cutthroat Data imprint and releasing one other album this yr.
XXL caught up with Key Glock simply days after Glockaveli’s launch in Atlanta. Over a blunt the dimensions of a Beats Capsule speaker and a double espresso cup effervescent with purple Sprite, Glock opened up about his new album, tour life, his keys to success, Younger Dolph’s legacy and extra.
XXL: How are you feeling now that the album is out?
Key Glock: I ain’t gon’ lie. It feels good. It looks like I simply had a birthday celebration as a result of all people was glad for me. All people was celebrating prefer it was theirs.
What was your thoughts state going into this album, versus your different tasks?
It was all over. As a result of I had took like a year-and-a-half off from music. From like, the media, from social media. Simply being outdoors, mainly.
What’s your tackle why Glockaveli was so extremely anticipated?
I solely left them with “Let’s Go” to take heed to since 2023. And I really feel like if it wasn’t what it’s now, I don’t assume individuals would have appreciated the wait. So, I undoubtedly assume it’s well worth the wait.
Whereas the album was delayed, you signed a significant label file cope with Republic after being unbiased for years. Do you are feeling like it is best to have made the transfer earlier? Do you are feeling like that is the right timing for it?
It took a whole lot of pondering. It wasn’t nothing like a pair days. It wasn’t nothing like a pair weeks. It took like seven to eight months, virtually, for me to decide. I believe every little thing occurred for a purpose. It’s like this wasn’t even compelled or rushed. It’s one thing I at all times needed to do, nevertheless it wasn’t like on my thoughts.
You didn’t have any options on the album, however you probably did have producers from Memphis. How necessary was it to you to maintain that M-town sound?
As a result of I simply love paying homage to my roots. Touching again to the place I got here from.
One of many issues persons are highlighting concerning the album is the beat choice. What goes into your thought course of for choosing beats?
It’s sure devices, mainly. And sure sounds hit the physique totally different. It catches your consideration, mainly, earlier than you even hear a phrase. Not even with my music, however simply how instrumentals is interval. Some songs, you’ll hear it on a regular basis. You may not know a phrase, however you continue to may transfer to it.
You bought some fire-ass samples on there. It looks as if you simply received an outdated soul.
Most def. That simply comes from my childhood. I used to be raised by my grandma. I used to be at all times round my nice grandma, too. I at all times was round them kind of songs, that kind of music. You don’t get away from it. It sticks with you.
King Wonka produced a number of tracks on there. Clearly, you had successful with “Let’s
Go.” How did you guys initially hyperlink? What do you assume makes your working chemistry so good?
It was loopy, bro. I don’t know no one else received a narrative like this. Me and Wonka linked in 2016. I wasn’t even signed but. I wasn’t even actually simply taking rap severe simply but. He was on YouTube. He was making Younger Dolph-type beats, Chief Keef-type beats, Younger Thug, Gucci Mane-type beats, stuff like that.
I used to be simply beginning to file. I’d go to YouTube and seize these beats, or I’d rap on an precise artist beat. I discovered him and I DM’d him on Instagram. We’ve been locked in ever since then. He’s been on each one among my tapes. He versatile as hell.
What are your ideas on the Memphis rap scene as of late? Numerous artists are doing their factor. You appear to be one of many artists that’s main the pack.
I like to see it. It’s been occurring, however I’m glad it’s getting extra gentle now.
How do you are feeling you’re pushing the sound ahead?
It feels good. Those that’s below me received their very own sound, too. Memphis as one received its personal sound, however inside Memphis, it’s totally different sounds, too.
There are occasions on-line not too long ago the place you talked about that folks counted you out. Have been there any specific situations?
whenever you and different individuals begin off collectively at a sure level, and y’all each develop, however one may develop sooner than you. Or all may develop sooner than you, in order that they really feel that they will belittle you now or don’t must f**okay with you no extra. So, it’s that sort of state of affairs.
I don’t let it get to me. I simply use it as motivation. Simply to point out you, like, alright, do y’all factor. I don’t want y’all. Y’all will be the Avengers. I’ll be Thanos.
There’s an apparent Tupac Shakur reference to the album title. Why do you assume ’Pac is so revered to today?
It’s like whenever you’re an actual particular person, like how all people calls themselves actual, whenever you’re simply real and sensible and simply received good power and a great spirit, it’s going to reside on. Whether or not you need it to or not, persons are going to symbolize you even when they met you or not.
“YOU CAN’T COMPARE NOBODY TO ME. NOT EVEN ON THE MUSIC LEVEL, BUT JUST PERIOD. I’M ONE OF ONE, FOR SURE.”
Is that one thing you attempt to do as an artist?
I don’t attempt to do something so far as any individual wanting as much as me or attempting to be like me. I would like everybody on this world to be like them. I used to be hard-headed rising up. I similar to discovering out sh*t by myself as a result of what may be just right for you may not work for me.
We may very well be on the identical basketball workforce, however you would be a three-point specialist. They solely drafted me strictly to get rebounds. They’re not going to place me in your place. That’s how I take a look at it.
You simply had a headlining tour within the U.S. and also you’re occurring an interview run. What’s your favourite factor about touring?
The followers and their power. The followers preserve me going. The followers get me out of my little darkish place.
Beyoncé used your 2018 track “Gang Sh*t No Lame Sh*t” throughout her Cowboy Carter Tour in Could. Did she attain out to you for that, or did you peep it when everybody else peeped it?
I don’t even know who to succeed in out to succeed in out to her. Nah, it’s all love, although. It’s all love. I f**okay with it.
What did you assume whenever you noticed that? She’s like the largest feminine artist on the planet.
Nah, that’s love. That’s love. I rock together with her husband. I rock with [Jay-Z]. When me and Jigga see one another, it’s all love, for certain.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs used your monitor “Watch Da Throne,” off the brand new album on social media, too. You’re getting a whole lot of large appears to be like. Is it your workforce placing these performs collectively? Or people seeing you shining and reaching out, or somewhat little bit of each?
It’s actually each. It is determined by the state of affairs. Those who I present like to, they only present love again. It’s simply real.
Is there somebody you discovered was a fan that stunned you?
Will Smith. Yeah, he was bumping “Gang Sh*t No Lame Sh*t.” Yup. Will Smith. Denzel Washington. Randy Orton. I received a pair guys, for certain.
Why do you assume these large stars are considering your motion?
Mainly, it’s the love I present them, too.
In your new track “Hallelujah,” you talked about YNW Melly. Have you ever been maintaining along with his authorized state of affairs?
These days, I’ve been maintaining extra with it. I really feel just like the system is dragging it alongside as a result of they will. So long as bro preserve his spirit excessive and his power good, God undoubtedly gonna determine it out for him. He can’t go away it in no one arms however his.
On the monitor “Made a Manner,” you mentioned: “I’ve been f**ked up, down dangerous and snaked out.” Are there any situations you’ll be able to consider that made you provide you with that line?
It was only a time interval I used to be going by way of. I used to be simply utilizing my frustration on the beat on the time. As a substitute of bodily getting it off. And reminiscing on the identical time.
Do you discover that issues like that put the battery in your again?
Yeah, most undoubtedly. It made me push myself. The interior me pushes the outer me to ensure it retains going.
What are Key Glock’s present keys to success?
One: Don’t take any opinion detrimental. Two: Belief your intestine. It doesn’t matter what. Even when your mind says in any other case. Your intestine is God talking to you. Three: Think about your self.
So, what’s subsequent for you after this tour?
I’m gonna chill for a pair weeks, and I’m going proper again on tour. Going again on a European tour, and I’m gonna be engaged on my different album whereas I’m over there. Might need two albums this yr. Glockaveli is completed. Let’s get again to work. The work ain’t over.
What’s crucial factor you realized from Younger Dolph about music and life basically? How do you apply that to your life?
His coronary heart to present. It rubbed off on me like actual large as a result of I understand how it really feel to not have, and I understand how it really feel to be blessed. My companions ain’t received what I received, however they know what’s mine is theirs. So, it’s like I simply be glad God blessed a ni**a to have the ability to bless any individual else. That’s a part of what I cherish probably the most. His coronary heart to present.
How would you like him to be remembered?
Like he’s now. It’s being carried out the best means.
How would you like Key Glock to be remembered on the finish of the day?
I simply need all people to recollect me as being totally different. You possibly can’t evaluate no one to me. Not even on the music stage, however simply interval. I’m one among one, for certain.
Hearken to Key Glock’s Glockaveli: The Don Album
The summer season 2025 problem of XXL journal that includes Key Glock’s interview is on the market to buy right here. The difficulty additionally consists of interviews with all 12 members of the 2025 Freshman Class and producer Cardo Acquired Wings, in addition to conversations with Larry June, Aminé, Monaleo, Tech N9ne, Nardo Wick and extra, plus a glance again at what the 2024 XXL Freshman Class has been doing and a deep dive into who’s the largest and finest XXL Freshman ever.
