At this point, Memphis’ GloRilla is close to a household name. It’s rare that an artist can reach that status without delivering a full-length record, but nothing about the rapper’s ascent has been entirely conventional. Finally checking that achievement off the list is GLORIOUS, the long-awaited GloRilla debut album. The highly anticipated LP seems to be further stamping her signature sound. As of November 22, 2024, her track “I LUV HER” has been on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks. It’s currently sitting at No. 79, when last week, it was at No. 91.
GloRilla Enlists Megan Thee Stallion, Latto & More On Stacked Guest List
With the music industry seemingly driving a wedge between female MCs at every turn, how GloRilla embraces her peers on the project is one of the major takeaways. To begin, already having created “Wanna Be” alongside GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion returns to her Memphis world for “How I Look.”
Though their interplay is always a highlight, Megan’s contributions here feel a bit more reigned in, largely only contributing a post-chorus and short verse while instead ceding the spotlight, perhaps fittingly, to Glo. The energy of the song is undeniable despite the equation tipping to Glo this time around, but it’s fair to wish for a structure similar to “Wanna Be” if this song is truly devised as a sequel.
…Without Sacrificing Trademark Energy
Arguably the best piece of interplay comes alongside Latto for “PROCEDURE,” the Columbus MC’s airier cadence providing a natural foil to GloRilla’s raspier delivery. All the same, the militaristic, chant-like formula they strike on the track (“What’s the procedure when a bad b**** walk in the room?”) is instantly charming, and the contrast in their two styles makes for some splendid end results.
To spend a moment on the solo contributions here, GloRilla extends the range of her producer canon with “LET HER COOK,” enlisting Young Nudy affiliate Coupe. With blaring horns and high-flying drum sections, this feels like the true red meat for long-time fans, the Memphis rapper running with an extended food metaphor and providing in-your-face, boisterous charisma the whole way through.
Gospel Inspirations Help GloRilla Cut Through The Noise On GLORIOUS
Beginning with the Kirk Franklin-assisted “Rain Down On Me,” GLORIOUS sees GloRilla turn towards gospel fare, the other major driver of the record. The song in question centered around a “thank the lord” style narrative that has the Memphis MC showing appreciation for the achievements she’s racked up so far. We jump from there to “GLO’s PRAYER,” flipping the concept on its head to dovetail into a heartbreak anthem.
T-Pain makes an appearance, creating a duo of bonafide Southern talent towards the tail end of the project with “I LUV HER” before Fridayy crashes in just one song later, striking a similar tone to the “Bartender” singer and honestly recreating much of his tenor with a guest appearance on the closer, “QUEEN OF MEMPHIS.” It’s a fitting note to close the record on all told. With the Tennessee artist certainly holding the strongest claim to the title, a feat worthy of celebration, the record is the best fusion between modern hip-hop trends and the gospel tradition GloRilla odes to throughout GLORIOUS.
All told, while GLORIOUS may not birth a GloRilla single as seismic as “Yeah Glo!,” the trade-off there comes with the benefit of increased cohesiveness and focus on this debut LP.
Catch GLORIOUS and everything GloRilla has released so far wherever you stream your music.
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