Take a blind guess at GloRilla’s favourite Bible verse and also you would possibly decide Galatians 6:9 (“And allow us to not develop weary of doing good, for in due season we’ll reap, if we don’t quit”) or maybe Hebrews 10:36 (“For you’ve want of endurance, in order that when you’ve executed the need of God chances are you’ll obtain what’s promised”). Religion, which isn’t the identical as belief, calls for that we let go and let God. Or as Large Glo places it on her new album, GLORIOUS: “Rain down on me Father God, I received’t use an umbrella.”
The typical American might not have observed, however for a lot of GloRilla followers, she low-key “fell off” in 2023. Regardless of the white-hot success of “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and “Tomorrow 2,” her debut EP Anyhow, Life’s Nice was tepidly acquired, and a handful of songs on label compilation Gangsta Artwork 2 got here and went. For the trendy hater, a full yr between Scorching 100 hits would possibly as nicely be a decade, and so GloRilla’s 2024 has been a recalibration of types, together with the February single “Yeah Glo!” and tour dates with Megan Thee Stallion. To re-captivate vacillating followers, GLORIOUS finds power in a better energy.
GloRilla’s Christian background isn’t any secret—in interviews, she’s shared childhood goals of turning into a gospel singer, and he or she incessantly thanks the person upstairs on social media—but it surely’s hardly come to the fore in her music. GLORIOUS continues to be by and huge a secular rap file, however the place Anyhow, Life’s Nice and April 2024 mixtape Ehhthang Ehhthang had been stylistic smorgasbords, her debut album tightens the main target, mixing mid-tempo musings on romance and faith with the turnt-up anthems her followers love most. The 25-year-old rapper has grown as a lyricist, however what’s most fun about GLORIOUS is its idiosyncrasy. Increasing past playlistable entice stipulations and the wistful soul chops that sign A Severe Rap Album, GloRilla channels the music of her youth, biking by way of crunk and gospel with aplomb.
Earlier than we get to Kirk Franklin, let’s circle again to the crowd-pleasers. Sexyy Pink collab “Whatchu Kno About Me” looks like a mixtape loosie, however as enjoyable as it’s to listen to the pair commerce verses over a pattern of “Wipe Me Down,” the repurposing of Boosie Badazz’s iconic move veers towards karaoke. T-Ache swings by way of on “I Luv Her,” although the distinction between their vocal kinds can’t elevate Glo’s pick-me relationship bars (“I do know I be naggin’ generally/Shit, put dick in my mouth, make me shut up or somethin’”). The back-and-forth hook of “Process” lands much better, and Latto goes toe-to-toe with GloRilla’s flex speak: “They name me massive mama, bend a bitch over my knees.”
