# GloRilla: From Memphis Gospel Roots to Hip-Hop Stardom | Biography Flash Podcast
Discover the inspiring journey of Gloria Hallelujah Woods, known as GloRilla, as she rises from Memphis, Tennessee's Frayser neighborhood to become a Grammy-nominated hip-hop sensation. This episode explores how GloRilla transformed from a church choir singer in a strict religious household to one of rap's most authentic voices after signing with Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group.
Learn about her breakthrough hit "F N F Let's Go," collaborations with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, and her chart-topping projects including her #5 Billboard album "Glorious." We dive into the personal challenges she's overcome, her family's unwavering support despite their religious conservatism, and how her Memphis upbringing continues to influence her bold, honest storytelling that resonates with millions worldwide.
Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering GloRilla's music, this Biography Flash offers a comprehensive look at the 26-year-old artist's remarkable journey, resilience, and authentic voice in hip-hop. Subscribe now for weekly updates on GloRilla's continuing story!
Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs
For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai
Discover the inspiring journey of Gloria Hallelujah Woods, known as GloRilla, as she rises from Memphis, Tennessee's Frayser neighborhood to become a Grammy-nominated hip-hop sensation. This episode explores how GloRilla transformed from a church choir singer in a strict religious household to one of rap's most authentic voices after signing with Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group.
Learn about her breakthrough hit "F N F Let's Go," collaborations with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, and her chart-topping projects including her #5 Billboard album "Glorious." We dive into the personal challenges she's overcome, her family's unwavering support despite their religious conservatism, and how her Memphis upbringing continues to influence her bold, honest storytelling that resonates with millions worldwide.
Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering GloRilla's music, this Biography Flash offers a comprehensive look at the 26-year-old artist's remarkable journey, resilience, and authentic voice in hip-hop. Subscribe now for weekly updates on GloRilla's continuing story!
Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs
For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Gloria Halituja Woods, known to the world as Gloria, has
emerged from her roots in Memphis, Tennessee to find global
recognition as a powerful new voice in hip hop. Born
July twenty second, nineteen ninety nine in the tough Fraser
neighborhood of North Memphis, Gloria is the eighth of ten
children in a large, tight knit family. Her formative years
(00:35):
were shaped by the values of her religious household, with
her mother raising the children firmly in the church and
ensuring gospel music was ever present at home, only allowing
artists like Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClerkin. Christmas gifts and
secular celebrations were not part of her family's practice, underscoring
their commitment to tradition and faith. Despite these constraints, Villa
(01:00):
and her siblings found ways to have fun and build
deep relationships with one another while navigating the challenges of
their community. As a child, Glorilla's first ambitions were centered
on singing. She sang regularly in her church's choir and
dreamed of becoming a vocalist when she grew up. Those
hopes were derailed in her teenage years, however, when she
(01:21):
lost her singing voice, reportedly after developing a smoking habit
while in high school. Refusing to give up on music,
she redirected her passion and started rapping at sixteen. Her
inspiration to rap was sparked by listening to artists like
Chief Keith and watching popular shows like one hundred six
in Park. The raw storytelling in intense beats of street
(01:43):
rap captivated her, even as she balanced the disciplined, faith
driven world of her family with the burgeoning desire to
express her own reality. Glorilla attended Melrose High School, Martin
Luther King Junior College, Preparatory High School, and Ridgeway High
Her start in hippo p came from participating in Facebook
(02:05):
rap challenges, spitting rhymes over beats for her peers, and
gradually gaining online attention. Early support from her family, especially
her father, who keeps up with all her milestones online,
provided a foundation as she developed her confidence and identity
as an artist. Despite her parents religious conservatism, Both her
(02:25):
mother and father publicly supported her career. Over time, she
embraced the nickname Big Glow and leaned into the fierce,
bold persona that now defines her music. Her professional breakthrough
arrived in twenty twenty two with the release of f
n F Let's Go, a collaboration with producer hit Kid.
The single went viral on tik tok and other platforms
(02:47):
before making an appearance in the top fifty of the
Billboard Hot one hundred chart. FNF connected with listeners not
just for its catchy beat and energetic delivery, but its
unapologetic message of independence and self worth, themes that would
come to define Glorilla's catalog. The song's runaway success led
(03:08):
to a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the sixty
fifth Annual Grammy Awards, and crucially attracted the attention of Yogatti,
another Memphis native. In July twenty twenty two, Yogotti signed
Glorila to his label, Collective Music Group, setting her up
to reach even wider audiences. Throughout the following year, Glorila
(03:29):
kept up her momentum with charting singles like Tomorrow, which
was later remixed with superstar Cardi B, becoming her first
top ten hit and earning a double platinum certification. Her
solo single Blest further proved her staying power, and by
November twenty twenty two, Gloriala's debut extended play titled Anyway's
Life's Great, landed in the top fifteen of the bill
(03:49):
bid Board two hundred. The EP drew praise for its
blend of high energy anthems and candid storytelling, and it
cemented her image as a formidable new talent willing to
tackle the reales faced by many urban women. That same year,
she won Best New Hip Hop Artist at the be
Et hip Hop Awards, followed by a similar win at
the twenty twenty three iHeartRadio Music Awards. Gloriala's meteoric ascent
(04:12):
was not without personal trials. In February twenty twenty three,
tragedy struck at a show in New York's Main Street
Armory when a stampede broke out, ultimately resulting in three
deaths and several injuries after rumors of gunfire caused panic
among audience members. The incident, which through national headlines, left
a mark on Glorilla, who expressed shock and grief over
(04:33):
the loss of life at what was intended to be
a joyful celebration of music. In April twenty twenty four,
she faced another challenge with the dui arrest in Georgia,
which she addressed publicly with honesty, reaffirming her dedication to
her music and her fans. Her career maintained its strong
trajectory as she collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on the
twenty twenty four single one a Bee, which, alongside Yaglo,
(04:57):
broke into the top forty of the Billboard Hot one hundred.
She then dropped the mixtape ek Thang Ekthae, peaking at
number eighteen on the Billboard two hundred, and followed up
with her first studio album, Glorious, which soared to number five.
Glorilla's ability to blend club ready hits with heartfelt tracks
about her life in Memphis set her apart in a
crowded field of new artists. Through it all, Glorilla never
(05:20):
lost touch with her family roots in Memphis, even as
she performed around the country and beyond. She often brought
family to high profit fith eel events, such as her
father joining her at the twenty twenty three be E
t Hip Hop Awards. Her relatives, including cousin Cardi B,
provided support and guidance as her profile glow. Her mother,
while wishing she would become a gospel rapper one day
(05:42):
remained proud of her daughter's achievements and her ability to
reach people around the world. Golilla herself has said that
her lyrics reflect the realities of many women's lives, and
she strives to bring honesty, humor, and boldness to everything
she creates.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
As of twenty twenty five, Glorilla's twenty six six years
old stands five feet four inches tall and continues to
draw from both her upbringing in one of Memphis's most
challenging neighborhoods and her deep musical roots and gospel and rap.
Her performances remain high energy and deeply personal, and her
tours from opening for Little Baby and Megan thee Stallion
(06:18):
to headlining her own Glorious Tour, a straight her growing
influence beyond music, Glorilla's social media presence is massive, with
millions of fans engaging with her on platforms like Instagram
and TikTok. Her story exemplifies the power of resilience, family,
and fearless self expression.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Thank you for tuning in to this biography flash about
the remarkable rise and journey of Guerrilla. Be sure to
come back each week for a new update on what
has been happening with Guerrilla and do not forget to
subscribe so you never miss a story.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
This has been a Quiet Police production.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
For more information check out Quiet Please dot Ai, thanks
for listening.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Quiet, Please dot Ai hear what matters
Gloria Halituja Woods, known to the world as Gloria, has
emerged from her roots in Memphis, Tennessee to find global
recognition as a powerful new voice in hip hop. Born
July twenty second, nineteen ninety nine in the tough Fraser
neighborhood of North Memphis, Gloria is the eighth of ten
children in a large, tight knit family. Her formative years
(00:35):
were shaped by the values of her religious household, with
her mother raising the children firmly in the church and
ensuring gospel music was ever present at home, only allowing
artists like Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClerkin. Christmas gifts and
secular celebrations were not part of her family's practice, underscoring
their commitment to tradition and faith. Despite these constraints, Villa
(01:00):
and her siblings found ways to have fun and build
deep relationships with one another while navigating the challenges of
their community. As a child, Glorilla's first ambitions were centered
on singing. She sang regularly in her church's choir and
dreamed of becoming a vocalist when she grew up. Those
hopes were derailed in her teenage years, however, when she
(01:21):
lost her singing voice, reportedly after developing a smoking habit
while in high school. Refusing to give up on music,
she redirected her passion and started rapping at sixteen. Her
inspiration to rap was sparked by listening to artists like
Chief Keith and watching popular shows like one hundred six
in Park. The raw storytelling in intense beats of street
(01:43):
rap captivated her, even as she balanced the disciplined, faith
driven world of her family with the burgeoning desire to
express her own reality. Glorilla attended Melrose High School, Martin
Luther King Junior College, Preparatory High School, and Ridgeway High
Her start in hippo p came from participating in Facebook
(02:05):
rap challenges, spitting rhymes over beats for her peers, and
gradually gaining online attention. Early support from her family, especially
her father, who keeps up with all her milestones online,
provided a foundation as she developed her confidence and identity
as an artist. Despite her parents religious conservatism, Both her
(02:25):
mother and father publicly supported her career. Over time, she
embraced the nickname Big Glow and leaned into the fierce,
bold persona that now defines her music. Her professional breakthrough
arrived in twenty twenty two with the release of f
n F Let's Go, a collaboration with producer hit Kid.
The single went viral on tik tok and other platforms
(02:47):
before making an appearance in the top fifty of the
Billboard Hot one hundred chart. FNF connected with listeners not
just for its catchy beat and energetic delivery, but its
unapologetic message of independence and self worth, themes that would
come to define Glorilla's catalog. The song's runaway success led
(03:08):
to a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the sixty
fifth Annual Grammy Awards, and crucially attracted the attention of Yogatti,
another Memphis native. In July twenty twenty two, Yogotti signed
Glorila to his label, Collective Music Group, setting her up
to reach even wider audiences. Throughout the following year, Glorila
(03:29):
kept up her momentum with charting singles like Tomorrow, which
was later remixed with superstar Cardi B, becoming her first
top ten hit and earning a double platinum certification. Her
solo single Blest further proved her staying power, and by
November twenty twenty two, Gloriala's debut extended play titled Anyway's
Life's Great, landed in the top fifteen of the bill
(03:49):
bid Board two hundred. The EP drew praise for its
blend of high energy anthems and candid storytelling, and it
cemented her image as a formidable new talent willing to
tackle the reales faced by many urban women. That same year,
she won Best New Hip Hop Artist at the be
Et hip Hop Awards, followed by a similar win at
the twenty twenty three iHeartRadio Music Awards. Gloriala's meteoric ascent
(04:12):
was not without personal trials. In February twenty twenty three,
tragedy struck at a show in New York's Main Street
Armory when a stampede broke out, ultimately resulting in three
deaths and several injuries after rumors of gunfire caused panic
among audience members. The incident, which through national headlines, left
a mark on Glorilla, who expressed shock and grief over
(04:33):
the loss of life at what was intended to be
a joyful celebration of music. In April twenty twenty four,
she faced another challenge with the dui arrest in Georgia,
which she addressed publicly with honesty, reaffirming her dedication to
her music and her fans. Her career maintained its strong
trajectory as she collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on the
twenty twenty four single one a Bee, which, alongside Yaglo,
(04:57):
broke into the top forty of the Billboard Hot one hundred.
She then dropped the mixtape ek Thang Ekthae, peaking at
number eighteen on the Billboard two hundred, and followed up
with her first studio album, Glorious, which soared to number five.
Glorilla's ability to blend club ready hits with heartfelt tracks
about her life in Memphis set her apart in a
crowded field of new artists. Through it all, Glorilla never
(05:20):
lost touch with her family roots in Memphis, even as
she performed around the country and beyond. She often brought
family to high profit fith eel events, such as her
father joining her at the twenty twenty three be E
t Hip Hop Awards. Her relatives, including cousin Cardi B,
provided support and guidance as her profile glow. Her mother,
while wishing she would become a gospel rapper one day
(05:42):
remained proud of her daughter's achievements and her ability to
reach people around the world. Golilla herself has said that
her lyrics reflect the realities of many women's lives, and
she strives to bring honesty, humor, and boldness to everything
she creates.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
As of twenty twenty five, Glorilla's twenty six six years
old stands five feet four inches tall and continues to
draw from both her upbringing in one of Memphis's most
challenging neighborhoods and her deep musical roots and gospel and rap.
Her performances remain high energy and deeply personal, and her
tours from opening for Little Baby and Megan thee Stallion
(06:18):
to headlining her own Glorious Tour, a straight her growing
influence beyond music, Glorilla's social media presence is massive, with
millions of fans engaging with her on platforms like Instagram
and TikTok. Her story exemplifies the power of resilience, family,
and fearless self expression.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Thank you for tuning in to this biography flash about
the remarkable rise and journey of Guerrilla. Be sure to
come back each week for a new update on what
has been happening with Guerrilla and do not forget to
subscribe so you never miss a story.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
This has been a Quiet Police production.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
For more information check out Quiet Please dot Ai, thanks
for listening.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Quiet, Please dot Ai hear what matters
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com