GloRilla’s ‘Glorious’ Debut: The Most Praiseworthy Moments

The Gospel

With a name like Gloria Hallelujah, it is not off-brand for the Memphis rapper to include spiritual themes in her debut album. Midway through Glorious in one of the album’s brightest moments, GloRilla takes a praise break, offering “Rain Down on Me,” with Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, and Kierra Sheard, followed by “Glo’s Prayer.”

In the first of the two tracks, an organ opens the church doors as GloRilla’s signature ad-lib echoes behind the familiar voice of Kirk Franklin, who told the NYT, “I was attracted to the purity, the spirit, of her desire to work with me.”

“Rain Down on Me” highlights a bright, thankful GloRilla, proudly standing under an endless flow of blessings as “God’s favorite.” Kierra Sheard’s powerful vocals stand in the track, rooted in Glo’s rap roots and Franklin’s ability to motivate and maintain a powerful choir.

With “Glo’s Prayer,” she continues her conversation with God, this time asking for help and guidance. Speaking directly, the explicit lyrics question: “Is it me, Lord? What do I need to change, man?” Both tracks coupled together highlight not only the duality in GloRilla’s game but also the relatable feeling of growing up in the church and being grounded in faith while also knowing “ni**as [sometimes] ain’t sh*t.”

Because sinners have souls too, right?

The Rap Girl Collabs

GloRilla is arguably at her best when she’s rapping alongside her peers. Her standout lyrical moments come as blows to her detractors but her party-ready tracks are slam dunks with the occasional assist. Sexyy Red, Latto, and Megan Thee Stallion all make appearances in Glorious and in each instant, the rap girls unite their star power for fun, explicit, and boastful collaborations.

First in the tracklist, Latto and GloRilla demand to know the “PROCEDURE,” paying homage to the ultimate girl-gang cast of Set It Off. The two women take turns flexing themselves as the prize over the Supah Mario-produced beat.

Next in the lineup of female rap features, GloRilla and Sexyy Red take on a “Wipe Me Down” sample in “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME.” The song, arguably ready to carry both of their summer street dominations well into fall, prove they’re both untouchable. They are equally “giving hair, face, a**, titties.”

In the last of the three, GloRilla calls on her rap bestie Megan Thee Stallion for the defiant “HOW I LOOK.” The threatening track questions anybody who dares question either of the chart-topper’s methods or motives.

The R&B

With appearances from Muni Long, Fridayy, and T-Pain, GloRilla got R&B singers to do their job. Rather than autotune her signature deep tone for melodic hooks and bridges, Glorious includes moments where the aforementioned talents display their vocal flair.

In “DON’T DESERVE,” GloRilla teams up with Muni Long to share a heartfelt message to a friend trapped in a toxic relationship. The duo begs a troubled homegirl to open her eyes to red flags and escape domestic abuse. While it is not a club banger as GloRilla is known for, the track can be eye-opening for younger fans in any position in similar situations.

With T-Pain, GloRilla gets flirtatious in “I LOVE HER.” She confesses, “I know I can get a lil’ crazy/ But I love that you know how to deal with it,” while displaying a more sensual side of her sexy, juxtaposed against the raunchy moments filling the album. Also, a T-Pain hook is an instant cheat-code song with replay value.

GloRilla closes Glorious with “QUEEN OF MEMPHIS,” where she is coronated with a melodic hook from Fridayy. The reflective end calls on the rapper’s faith and fortitude that propelled her to the top of the rap game.

The Agression

GloRilla knows herself and with that level of self-awareness, she is clear about what she will and won’t do. A theme across her budding catalog, on Glorious her aggressive tone and defiant attitude prove multidimensional.

In “I AIN’T GOING” she is adamant that any lover who attempts to physically harm her will receive the violence they intended to act on. In “STOP PLAYING” she shows her a** with a smile. In “LET HER COOK,” blares “Never gave a damn, I ain’t never gave no f**k,” as loud as the horns in the Issac Hayes sample in the track.

And who could forget the Bad Gal Riri-stamped “TGIF” where she declares “I ain’t got no ni**a, and no ni**a ain’t got me!”

Each song finds the 25-year-old putting bass in her voice weaponizing her deep tone as a tool against hatin’ b**ches, misdirected opps, and any person bold enough to attempt to stand in her way. GloRilla’s Glorious provides a 42-minute soundtrack for fans looking to look their best, feel their best, love their, and set out to be the best at whatever their endeavor, by any means necessary.