In the years since Young Dolph‘s untimely passing, Key Glock has quietly established himself as one of the biggest rap stars out of Memphis. Since emerging with Glock Season in 2017, each of Glock’s subsequent solo releases — all of which are featureless — have been unbelievably consistent. He’s built a loyal fanbase and carved out a unique space in hip-hop, thanks to his fierce independence. Blending raw street narratives with his commanding flow, Glock has remained a consummate workaholic, and this steady trajectory finally struck gold with 2023’s Glockoma 2.
That project spawned the biggest hit of his career with “Let’s Go,” a motivational trap anthem laced with a hollering sample from Werchowyna’s “Zoriuska 1” that became a magnet for TikTokers. Despite the big success, Glock followed it up by doing something uncharacteristic of him: he took a break. He wouldn’t go into details about his time off, but he reminds Billboard it’s likely not gonna happen again.
“After this tape, I don’t know,” Glock states plainly — referring to his 2Pac-referencing Glockaveli, out this Friday (May 2). “This tape is gonna have me busy.”
In an interview with Billboard below, Glock speaks on why he’s still not doing features on his albums, where the 2Pac influence comes from, and how the women in his life shaped his hustle.
At what point did 2Pac’s influence begin to make its way into this album?
It was intentional. Really, this was something me and Dolph planned in 2020, because I been got that chain made, but it was supposed to come out after Yellow Tape. You know, stuff happened, so it just wasn’t on my mind at the time. I took a little break last year away from music, just away from the world — I was like, “This is the perfect time to do Glockaveli.” Cause that’s what Macavelli was. Rebranding, rebirth.
Why did it feel like the right time?
I’ll say, it was more of a personal thing. It was more of a personal thing.
Tell me about the beats on this record. How did you go about choosing the samples on the project?
Most of ‘em I handpicked because I already knew the songs from when I was a young kid. My grandma and my uncles played it. So I was hip to certain blues and soul songs. So when there’s certain songs like that, I just ship it to my producer and tell them to put their own spin on it.
Being from Memphis, how did you first connect with 2Pac’s music? You sampled some stuff of his on this record.
I found out about Pac through my mom. When she told me about Pac, I was like eight years old.
There were a few lines on this project dedicated to your mom and your grandma. On “The Grinch” you say, “Mama ain’t raised no b—h.” What role did the women in your life play as you were growing up and deciding to become a rapper?
They did all they could do. Women can’t really raise a man, no matter what they do or how long they have been with ‘em. My grandmother and my great grandmother and my auntie they raised me good but they didn’t teach me how to be a man. I had to teach myself how to be a man.
What do you want people to know going into this album?
Don’t judge its by its cover.
Obviously, any sort of comparison to 2Pac is gonna have some pushback. What do you say to people who have called you out for Glockaveli.
They try to call it out for religious reasons more than 2Pac. They don’t really say nothing about it being a 2Pac reference. They say it on some more religious stuff, which it’s not. Its the super Christians. They come out the woodwork!
You said in a past interview that Pac was often perceived as a thug and put in this box despite his artistic brilliance. Do you feel any similarities in regards to being put in a box yourself?
I wouldn’t say put in a box, but I would say overlooked. That’s only because I’m not the friendliest artist, basically.
How so?
Not like as far as people or fans, but as far as other artists.
Why haven’t you at this point collaborated with other artists?
Once I said, “I don’t do features.” People took it as they can’t get a Key Glock feature. What I was saying was that I don’t feature people on my songs. So that’s where people got confused.
Why did you initially say that you didn’t collaborate with other artists?
It came from me getting somewhat rejected from a feature. I was supposed to remix “Russian Cream.” I don’t really know exactly what happened, but the communication wasn’t what it was at first. I don’t got no regrets cause everything I’m doing was done successfully.
How have you tried to bridge the gap and connect as time has gone on?
I really don’t, I use it as fuel. How people act and how people move. I use it as fuel and let it motivate me. By me getting turned down for the Russian Cream remix, that put a whole other fire in me. It put a whole other attitude in me, like, ‘I got this, let me show you.’
Is that ever lonely?
Nah, I don’t get lonely. Stuff like that don’t get me down. It charge me up in a good way.
On “3am in ToKEYo” you rap “I came in this world by myself.” You have established yourself as this independent force. How do you keep yourself from getting complacent since it’s just you out here?
I’m never satisfied, in a good way. I always wanna learn more and do more. I always wanna beat whatever was the last thing I did. I always wanna make it better. [My drive] comes from my auntie and my grandma. They was the same type of people. I truly be feeling like I ain’t done it yet. I’m not even at my peak yet. I’m not even in my prime.
So then what do you see for the future of Key Glock then?
Only God knows that one.
