With her eyes set on Friday (Oct. 11) for the release of her debut album, Glorious, GloRilla stopped by Billboard News to gush about her blistering 2024 run, which includes three top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs chart with “Yeah Glo!,” “TGIF” and “Wanna Be” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
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Reflecting on her path to making Glorious, GloRilla shares, “Last year, I was supposed to drop my debut album, but I was still just getting used to stuff and working a lot. When the top of the year came, I had the project basically done. I was like, ‘OK, I gotta give them the mixtape before I give them the album,’ because I went the whole year without dropping anything. That’s why I said I was gonna give them the mixtape first, get em’ back used to me first, give ’em a feel of me, and then that’s gonna prep me for the album. The mixtape did good and did what it was supposed to do, which prepped me for my album.”
Released earlier this year, Glo’s mixtape Ehhthang, Ehhthang caused tremors in the rap world as she rebounded from a quiet 2023 with two scorchers in “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be.” Both records soared on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming top 20 songs, with the latter peaking at No. 11 courtesy of her seamless chemistry with tour bestie, Megan Thee Stallion.
“I don’t really have a lot of industry friends,” says Glo. “I got associates and they’re cool, but me and Meg really got cool. I didn’t expect it. She FaceTimed me when I was getting on the plane, just talking crazy and funny. We really gained a bond.”
This spring, GloRilla opened up for Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour, and after the release of Ehhthang, Ehhthang, kept her torrid run on the Hot 100 intact when she doled out her third hit of the year with “TGIF.” Glo’s signature bravado, husky raps and cogent hooks have become a staple for the Memphis star, who earned a shiny cosign this year from Rihanna, after she rapped “TGIF” on social media over the summer. Glo’s winning streak continued when she caught up with Beyonce while out with Megan Thee Stallion, earning more praise for her noteworthy wins.
“Riri [was] asking for the album and dancing to the song,” recalls Glo. “She don’t be dancing to people’s song. When she did that, I was like, ‘Wow,’ ’cause you know, people be saying that’s my twin. They be hatin’ on me. I love Rihanna. I’m a big fan of Rihanna. I love Beyoncé. I’m the biggest fan of Beyoncé. This was my third time meeting her and she’s always so sweet every time. I love her.”
Watch GloRilla’s full interview with Deputy Director of R&B / Hip-Hop Carl Lamarre above. During her chat, she shares her love for Rod Wave, clears up dating rumors between her and NBA star Damian Lillard and reveals which feature on Glorious she’s most excited about.