GloRilla receives key to Memphis during 901 Day event: 'Memphis made me, Frayser raised me'

Grammy-nominated Memphis rapper GloRilla was presented with the key to the City of Memphis on Sunday.

The Frayser-born GloRilla — real name Gloria Woods — was on hand to receive the honor from Memphis Mayor Paul Young, which came as part of the city’s celebration of 901 Day on Beale Street.

The 25-year-old GloRilla was presented the key in front of a large crowd that filled Beale, as well as her friends and family on stage. GloRilla, later posted images of the moment on Instagram with the caption, “Memphis made me, Frayser raised me.” Following the ceremony, GloRilla performed a brief set as part of the 901 Day celebrations.

Other local or locally connected rappers who’ve been given the key to the city include GloRilla’s record label head, CMG CEO Yo Gotti, who was presented the ceremonial honor in 2017. Canadian rap star Drake, whose paternal family is from Memphis, was given a key to Shelby County in summer 2023.

The recognition for GloRilla comes after her collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion on “Wanna Be” reached No. 1 on Rhythmic Radio format on Sunday. A week earlier, the song also hit the top of the Urban Radio charts.

GloRilla also made history in August, with three of her songs — “Yeah Glo!,” “Wanna Be” and “TGIF” — landing in the top 10 of the Urban Radio charts at the same time, making her the first artist to reach that milestone since Nicki Minaj in 2015.

GloRilla is set to make her debut at MTV’s Video Music Awards on Sept. 11 in New York City, where she is up for three awards, including “Best Hip-Hop” and “Best Collaboration” for "Wanna Be."

Since breaking out in early 2022, GloRilla has become one of Memphis' biggest national acts. Her viral hits “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and “Blessed” launched her into national consciousness, and she followed with a Top 10 Billboard record in “Tomorrow 2,” a remix collaboration with hip-hop queen Cardi B.

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In late ’22, GloRilla earned a surprise win at the BET Hip Hop Awards, taking home the Best Breakthrough Artist award and released her debut major label EP, “Anyways, Life Is Great,” via Gotti’s CMG label.

GloRilla signed with CMG during a ceremony that summer at which time Gotti noted that the rapper was “a natural born star — she has a different sound and approach that’s needed in hip-hop right now.”

The prediction seemed to come true quickly when, in late 2022, GloRilla was honored with a Grammy nomination for “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)." Though she didn’t take home the award at the ceremony, Glo has continued her run on the charts with the 2024 singles “Yeah Glo!”, “Wanna Be,” as well as a new EP she released in April, “Ehhthang Ehhthang.”

She also made news in March after palling around with President Joe Biden at the White House, and less favorable headlines after a DUI stop in Georgia. But GloRilla quickly bounced back, earning raves for her performance as part of this past summer’s sold-out arena tour with Megan Thee Stallion.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: GloRilla awarded key to City of Memphis, performs at 901 Day event