meta-scriptMeet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: GloRilla On Bonding with Cardi B, How Faith And Manifestation Helped Her Achieve Success | GRAMMY.com
Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: GloRilla On Bonding with Cardi B, How Faith And Manifestation Helped Her Achieve Success
GloRilla

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Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: GloRilla On Bonding with Cardi B, How Faith And Manifestation Helped Her Achieve Success

The 23-year-old Memphis rapper found her calling as an emcee at the end of 2018. Four years later, GloRilla has achieved a level of success that she once dreamt of — including a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

GRAMMYs/Feb 3, 2023 - 04:24 pm

GloRilla knows a thing or two about the power of social media. The Memphis native’s rise to rap stardom began in May 2022, when her breakout song with HitKidd "F.N.F. (Let’s Go)" went viral on TikTok. For some artists, a viral hit single is the ultimate goal — but for Glo, it was only the beginning.

Within the next few months, she signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group and hit the studio to finish recording her EP, Anyways, Life’s Great, which includes the single "Tomorrow 2" featuring Cardi B — her rap hero-turned-friend. Last November, their performance at the American Music Awards brought the house down. One month prior, Glo won Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, then took the stage to perform "F.N.F." as rap icon Lil' Kim and other female emcees danced and rapped along from the audience.

GloRilla's hard-hitting flow and contagious energy has attracted additional co-signs from Mary J. Blige and Nicki Minaj, and earned her a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 2023 GRAMMYs. At the awards, Glo will be up against heavy hitters like Doja Cat, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, Gunna, and Future.

Born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, the 23-year-old rapper's Memphis roots shine in her crunk-infused songs, which touch on everything from break-ups and fake friends, to sex and turning up at the club. Glo also embeds hard-learned lessons throughout her EP, pushing back against critics and fairweather friends on "Out Loud Thinking" while highlighting the importance of prioritizing your own needs and pruning toxic people on the slow jam "No More Love."

For fans, part of Glo's appeal — outside of her music — is her relatability. She just wants to have a little fun, build a long and lucrative career and take care of her loved ones. 

GRAMMY.com caught up with GloRilla to discuss her rise to fame, writing process, dream collabs and the advice she received from Cardi B.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Congratulations on your GRAMMY nomination. How did you hear about the nod?

I was just getting off the plane in L.A. I didn't believe it until I got on Twitter and I saw them saying it. I couldn't believe it for a minute. I thought they was lying.

You took the music world by storm last year. You released the song of the summer, dropped an EP, collaborated with Cardi on "Tomorrow 2," with Ciara, and Summer Walker on the "Better Thangs" remix and won a BET Hip-Hop Award within the span of a few months. Which moment meant the most to you out of everything you experienced last year?

 I just can't single out one thing. A lot of people don't get to experience this, so everything is just super special to me.

 After you dropped "F.N.F," when did you realize your life was going to change?

Once the song went viral on all the different social sites and different celebrities started reaching out to tell me they liked it.

Anyways, Life’s Great is an incredible debut. How long did it take you to write and record the EP?

A few of those songs I had recorded before I blew up: "Nut Quick," "PHATNALL" and "Out Loud Thinking." It didn't take long to record the rest of it. Once I'm in the studio, and I get the vibe, it just is what it is at that point.

At first, I would write my songs at home and pay for two hours of studio time. But now I can write in the studio.

Do you wait for dedicated studio time or are you always writing?

I could be doing anything. I could be watching TV and they can say something and it’ll give me an idea and I’ll jot it down in my notes. Or I can be at the airport and see something, and it’ll give me an idea. Then at the studio, I’ll gather all the notes I wrote together and see what sounds good on what beats. 

The beat for "F.N.F" was originally meant for Megan thee Stallion. When that didn’t work out, Hitkidd offered it to you, and you wrote it pretty quickly. Are you usually a fast writer or was it something about that particular beat that inspired you?

I actually listened to the beat all day, and I couldn't come up with nothing. When I finally pulled up to the studio, I had to get a blunt, so I could think of something. Soon as I got done smoking, I wrote it so fast.

Your "Tomorrow 2" collab with Cardi was an instant hit. It was such a perfect pairing: two talented, genuine, energetic emcees who are unapologetic and own their space. How did that collaboration come about?

My team had hit her up, Gotti and them. I didn't know they had did it. I texted her one day to get on another song I had but she said, "I’m already doing ‘Tomorrow.’" I was shocked, and I was so excited. Then she had sent me the clip of her verse. And when I heard it, I was like, "Oh my God, Cardi. What got into you?"

I felt the same way when I heard it. She went hard. How was it performing at the American Music Awards with her?

Great, I love Cardi so much. Like, I know ain't nobody perfect. But to me, she's just so perfect.

Did she offer you any career advice?

The best advice I got from Cardi was just to stay focused, keep going hard and don’t stop.

You grew up in a big Christian family — you're one of 10 kids. Was music always playing in the house?

Yeah, I used to listen to gospel music all the time. I liked Yolanda Adams, Deitrick Haddon, Kirk Franklin, and Tamala Mann. But we also watched "106 & Park" and "BET Countdown."

Your styling is always on point and makes me want to step my own fashion game up. What inspires your looks?

I liked Aaliyah and Left Eye growing up. I loved how they dressed. I really just be on some new-school version of Aaliyah.

I saw a clip of you singing "Bet On It" from High School Musical and it made me wonder if there are any other artists or songs that people would be surprised to find that you like.

I really like Ariana Grande, and I'm in love with Miley Cyrus.

You’re a big Beyoncé fan, and she’s one of your dream collabs. Who else would you love to work with in the future?

There’s a lot of people I want to do songs with that I’m a fan of. But my top two that I'm extremely obsessed with is Beyoncé and Chief Keef. I want to work with Drake and Lil Wayne, too.

I've noticed that you do not hesitate when you want something. You just figure out a way to make it happen. 

All it takes is faith and manifestation. One, you actually got to put the work in and have discipline and know that it is there. You just gotta work for it. I tell everybody that's gonna get you a long way. Manifesting and having faith and actually working and reaching toward that goal. I don't feel like it's nothing you can't accomplish if you have your mind set to it and you don't ever stop or give up on it.

Your music is full of these nuggets of wisdom that may help people learn how to navigate different life challenges. Would you ever consider writing a self-help book?

I was actually talking about that with one of my friends.

Alongside that, I could see acting in your future too. I think about the City Girls working with Issa Rae down in Miami on "Rap S—" and I could easily see a show about your come-up set in Memphis. Is Big Glo the actor something we can look forward to?

Yeah, of course. Before I got into music, I wanted to act. I love Meagan Good, Taraji P. Henson. Those are my top two. I like Kevin Hart, Idris Elba. It’s a lot of people. I like Regina Hall.

You’re heading out on a 16-city solo tour soon. How are you preparing for tour life? Do you have to learn any choreography?

Yes. I've been going to practice a lot. I've been doing good though. We gonna put together a good show on the tour. We gonna turn up. I actually like doing choreography.

Were you into choreo growing up?

Yeah, I was a majorette, and I still can't dance. But I like to learn, and once I get it down pat, and I know how to do it, I'll be like, "Yes!" But I got two right feet. I don't got two left feet. [Laughs.] So that's why I like learning. ‘Cause when I just be on the stage rapping, it can get boring if you just walking around, you know? They wanna see you pop out with a little somethin’ somethin.’

Who are you taking on tour?

Gloss Up, Slimeroni, K. Carbon, and Aleza.

After the tour, do you have any plans to release an album or another EP in 2023?

Most definitely. I'm changing it up. I'm gonna have different guys on it.

Listen: All Of The Rap Music 2023 GRAMMY Nominees In One Playlist

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Beyoncé's Heartfelt Speech For Her Record-Breaking Win In 2023
Beyoncé at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Beyoncé's Heartfelt Speech For Her Record-Breaking Win In 2023

Relive the night Beyoncé received a gramophone for Best Dance/Electronic Album for 'RENAISSANCE' at the 2023 GRAMMYS — the award that made her the most decorated musician in GRAMMY history.

GRAMMYs/Feb 2, 2024 - 05:12 pm

Six years after her last solo studio album, Beyoncé returned to the music industry with a bang thanks to RENAISSANCE. In homage to her late Uncle Johnny, she created a work of art inspired by the sounds of disco and house that wasn't just culturally impactful — it was history-making.

At the 2023 GRAMMYs, RENAISSANCE won Best Dance/Electronic Album. Marking Beyoncé's 32nd golden gramophone, the win gave the superstar the record for most gramophones won by an individual act.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit the historic moment Queen Bey took the stage to accept her record-breaking GRAMMY at the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

"Thank you so much. I'm trying not to be too emotional," Beyoncé said at the start of her acceptance speech. "I'm just trying to receive this night."

With a deep breath, she began to list her praises that included God, her family, and the Recording Academy for their continued support throughout her career. 

"I'd like to thank my Uncle Johnny, who is not here, but he's here in spirit," Beyoncé proclaimed. "I'd like to thank the queer community for your love and inventing this genre."

Watch the video above for Beyoncé's full speech for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2023 GRAMMYs. Check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind. 

Tune into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, airing live on the CBS Television Network (8-11:30 p.m. LIVE ET/5-8:30 p.m. LIVE PT) and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

A Timeline Of Beyoncé's GRAMMY Moments, From Her First Win With Destiny's Child to Making History With 'Renaissance'

GRAMMY Rewind: Lizzo Thanks Prince For His Influence After "About Damn Time" Wins Record Of The Year In 2023
Lizzo at the 2023 GRAMMYs

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

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GRAMMY Rewind: Lizzo Thanks Prince For His Influence After "About Damn Time" Wins Record Of The Year In 2023

Watch Lizzo describe how Prince’s empowering sound led her to “dedicate my life to positive music” during her Record Of The Year acceptance speech for “About Damn Time” at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

GRAMMYs/Jan 19, 2024 - 06:00 pm

Since the start of her career, four-time GRAMMY winner Lizzo has been making music that radiates positive energy. Her Record Of The Year win for "About Damn Time" at the 2023 GRAMMYs proved that being true to yourself and kind to one another always wins.

Travel back to revisit the moment Lizzo won her award in the coveted category in this episode of GRAMMY Rewind. 

"Um, huh?" Lizzo exclaimed at the start of her acceptance speech. "Let me tell you something. Me and Adele are having a good time, just enjoying ourselves and rooting for our friends. So, this is an amazing night. This is so unexpected."

Lizzo kicked off her GRAMMY acceptance speech by acknowledging Prince's influence on her sound. "When we lost Prince, I decided to dedicate my life to making positive music," she said. "This was at a time when positive music and feel-good music wasn't mainstream at that point and I felt very misunderstood. I felt on the outside looking in. But I stayed true to myself because I wanted to make the world a better place so I had to be that change."

As tracks like "Good as Hell" and "Truth Hurts" scaled the charts, she noticed more body positivity and self-love anthems from other artists. "I'm just so proud to be a part of it," she cheered.

Most importantly, Lizzo credited staying true to herself despite the pushback for her win. "I promise that you will attract people in your life who believe in you and support you," she said in front of a tearful audience that included Beyoncé and Taylor Swift in standing ovation, before giving a shout-out to her team, family, partner and producers on the record, Blake Slatkin and Ricky Reed

Watch the video above for Lizzo's complete acceptance speech for Record Of The Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs. Check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind, and be sure to tune into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, airing live on the CBS Television Network (8-11:30 p.m. LIVE ET/5-8:30 p.m. LIVE PT) and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

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GRAMMY Rewind: Harry Styles Celebrates His Fellow Nominees (And His Biggest Fan) After Album Of The Year Win In 2023
Harry Styles at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Kevin Mazur

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GRAMMY Rewind: Harry Styles Celebrates His Fellow Nominees (And His Biggest Fan) After Album Of The Year Win In 2023

Revisit the moment Harry Styles accepted the most coveted award of the evening for 'Harry's House' and offered a heartfelt nod to his competitors — Beyoncé, Adele, Lizzo, Coldplay and more.

GRAMMYs/Jan 5, 2024 - 06:00 pm

After a wildly successful debut and sophomore record, you'd think it was impossible for Harry Styles to top himself. Yet, his third album, Harry's House, proved to be his most prolific yet.

The critically acclaimed project first birthed Styles' record-breaking, chart-topping single, "As It Was," then landed three more top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Late Night Talking," "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" and "Matilda." The album and "As It Was" scored Styles six nominations at the 2023 GRAMMYs — and helped the star top off his massive Harry's House era with an Album Of The Year win.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, revisit Styles' big moment from last year's ceremony, which was made even more special by his superfan, Reina Lafantaisie. Host Trevor Noah (who will return as emcee for the 2024 GRAMMYs) handed the mic to Lafantaisie to announce Styles as the winner, and the two shared a celebratory hug before Styles took the mic.

"I've been so, so inspired by every artist in this category," said Styles, who was up against other industry titans like Beyoncé, Adele, Lizzo and Coldplay. "On nights like tonight, it's important for us to remember that there is no such thing as 'best' in music. I don't think any of us sit in the studio, making decisions based on what will get us [an award]."

Watch the video above to see Harry Styles' complete acceptance speech alongside his collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. Check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind, and be sure to tune into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, airing live on the CBS Television Network (8 -11:30 p.m. LIVE ET/5-8:30 p.m. LIVE PT) and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

Here Are The Album Of The Year Nominees At The 2024 GRAMMYs

Additional Performers Added To "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" Live Concert Special: 2 Chainz, T.I., Gunna, Too $hort, Latto, E-40, Big Daddy Kane, GloRilla, Three 6 Mafia & More Confirmed
“A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop” airs Sunday, Dec. 10, at 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streams live and on demand on Paramount+

Image courtesy of the Recording Academy

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Additional Performers Added To "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" Live Concert Special: 2 Chainz, T.I., Gunna, Too $hort, Latto, E-40, Big Daddy Kane, GloRilla, Three 6 Mafia & More Confirmed

The star-studded tribute will take place Wednesday, Nov. 8, at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California. Tickets are on sale now. "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" will air on Sunday, Dec. 10, on CBS and Paramount+.

GRAMMYs/Oct 27, 2023 - 01:59 pm

This article was updated Sunday, Dec. 10, to add the full performer lineup.

The massive lineup for the "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" live concert special just got bigger and more legendary with the addition of rap icons and next-gen hip-hop superstars: 2 Chainz, T.I., Gunna, Too $hort, Latto, E-40, Big Daddy Kane, GloRilla, Juvenile, Three 6 Mafia, Cypress Hill, Jeezy, DJ Quik, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shanté, Warren G, YG, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, Spinderella, Black Sheep, and Luniz have all been added to the lineup.

They join previously announced performers Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady Of Rage, LL COOL J, MC Sha-Rock, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke, and Yo-Yo, who will perform at a once-in-a-lifetime live concert special celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which the Recording Academy is honoring all year long across 2023. See the full performer lineup.

Read More: 50 Artists Who Changed Rap: Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem & More

Airing Sunday, Dec. 10, at 8:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+, "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" is a two-hour live concert special that will showcase the profound history of hip-hop and celebrate the genre's monumental cultural impact around the world. The special will feature exclusive performances from hip-hop legends and GRAMMY-winning artists and much more.

The live concert comprising the "A GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop" special, which is open to the public, will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California. Footage from the concert will then air on Sunday, Dec. 10, as a live concert TV special.

Tickets for the "A GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop" live concert are available to the public now.

Explore More Of "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop"

Full concert details are below:

Concert:
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 (tonight)
Doors: 6 p.m. PT
Concert: 7 p.m. PT          

Venue:
YouTube Theater
1011 Stadium Dr.
Inglewood, CA 90305

Full List Of Confirmed Performers For "A GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop": 

2 Chainz

Akon

Arrested Development

Battlecat

Big Daddy Kane

Black Sheep

Black Thought

Blaqbonez

Boosie Badazz

Bun B

Chance The Rapper

Coi LeRay

Common

Cypress Hill

D-Nice

De La Soul

Digable Planets

DJ Diamond Kuts

DJ Greg Street

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

DJ Quik

DJ Trauma

Doug E. Fresh

E-40

GloRilla

Gunna

J.J. Fad

Jeezy

Jermaine Dupri

Kool DJ Red Alert

The Lady of Rage

Latto

LL Cool J

Luniz

MC Lyte

MC Sha-Rock

Monie Love

Mustard

Nelly

The Pharcyde

Public Enemy

Queen Latifah

Questlove

Rakim

Remy Ma

Rick Ross

Roddy Ricch

Roxanne Shanté

Spinderella

Styles P

T.I.

Talib Kweli

Three 6 Mafia

Too $hort

Tyga

Uncle Luke

Warren G

YG

Yo-Yo

^Names in bold indicate newly added artists.

Purchase tickets here.

Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com for more news and updates about "A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop."

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Jesse Collins, Shawn Gee, Dionne Harmon, Claudine Joseph, LL COOL J, Fatima Robinson, Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson for Two One Five Entertainment serve as executive producers and Marcelo Gama as director of the special.

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