LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥 GloRilla has gone from choir girl to husky-voiced rap queen, climbing the hip-hop ranks so high that she鈥檚 earned a trip to the White House.
The Memphis-born performer has become one of industry鈥檚 most promising voices with her genuine character, rap flow and unmistakable Southern drawl. She established herself this year as a proven hitmaker with 鈥淲anna Be鈥 featuring Megan Thee Stallion and the breakout hit 鈥淵eah Glo!,鈥 which earned two nominations at
The rapper鈥檚 mentality this year has been to 鈥減ut your foot on the gas and don鈥檛 let up,鈥 she told The Associated Press.
In 2024 alone, she's been a guest performer on the domestic leg of Megan's Hot Girl Summer Tour, gaining more confidence performing in sold-out arenas. She's performed at a star-studded party in front of celebrities ranging from to , and met with President Joe Biden during a women's history month event.
All of this came before the October release of her critically acclaimed debut album 鈥淕lorious,鈥 whose 鈥淭GIF鈥 had dancing in a social media post, earning GloRilla a spot as one of
鈥淒on鈥檛 ever get too comfortable,鈥 said the rapper, who burst onto the hip-hop scene in 2022 with 鈥淭omorrow鈥 and the Grammy-nominated 鈥淔.N.F. (Let鈥檚 Go).鈥 鈥淭ake advantage of everything that comes your way. If you drive and apply yourself, it鈥檚 going to happen.鈥
GloRilla's humble beginnings served as a driving force to chase bigger horizons. Born Gloria Hallelujah Woods (the stage name was a cousin's suggestion), the 25-year-old credits her mother and her church-centered upbringing for preparing her for this pivotal moment in her life.
鈥淢y momma always told me to be humble and grateful,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 come from nothing almost. My mom is well mannered. My mom taught us right, like, internally, have a great spirit. My personality and spirit come from my momma.鈥
GloRilla is still adjusting to her rising fame while dealing with some controversies. She was left 鈥渉eartbroken鈥 after three women were killed in a toward the end of a 2023 concert in upstate New York in which investigators found no criminal wrongdoing. She faced backlash for using a disability-related slur in her lyrics and was charged with this year.
Despite that, her profile has grown in recent months to become one of rap's biggest names 鈥 thanks to something rapper Yo Gotti spotted when he signed her to his Collective Music Group label in 2022.
鈥淚t's the authenticity,鈥 said Yo Gotti, a fellow Memphis native. 鈥淓ven when she talks about the struggles throughout this journey, it鈥檚 refreshing. I don鈥檛 think many artists do that. Everybody wants to play perfect. I think that鈥檚 why so many people gravitate to her. She relates to real people.鈥
While she enjoys snapping photos with fans, she opts for incognito mode on her more casual days: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 like to tell people 鈥楴o.鈥 I don鈥檛 want to be mean to my fans. That's probably the worst part. I hate taking pictures when I'm not prepared.鈥
Seeking a career role model, GloRilla often examines the work ethic of who called the rapper one of her favorite young artists.
鈥淪he鈥檚 a businesswoman. She multitasks a lot,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I have to get better at. She鈥檚 a super hard worker. Her work ethic is crazy.鈥
GloRilla could follow Beyonc茅's footsteps as an actor. Since childhood, she's dreamed of starring in a film or TV show 鈥 though she's bracing herself for the marathon days on set that come with it.
鈥淭hink I鈥檓 still going to do it,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 not going to lie. When I鈥檓 on those music video sets, I be like 鈥業 don鈥檛 know if I can do acting.鈥 I can only imagine how many times I got to say the script and memorize in my head. I don鈥檛 know. ... But I'm going to still try it.鈥
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