Memphis frontrunner Key Glock takes Wonderland track-by-track through this towering new trap record, Glockaveli.
“The statement I’m making with this album is… Highly Respected,” Key Glock tells Wonderland about his all new 18-pronged album, Glockaveli, a sprawling and deeply raw odyssey into the Memphis rapper’s resilience, struggle against adversity and street-laden anthems. Across the work, recorded in LA, New York and Miami, the 27-year-old demands the listener’s attention and admiration, documenting his journey to the top atop slickly-sampled, hard-hitting yet groovy trap-heavy musical backdrops.
“When fans listen, I just want them to take away some knowledge,” he says, a statement of intent as he continues to cement himself as one of the States most consistent and revered hip hop virtuosos. To find out more, we asked the man himself to delve into the impressive work, track-by-track.
Listen to the album…
Read the track-by-track…
“Hallelujah“
It was one of the last songs recorded for the tape. It wasn’t even planned. Ross was sampling the beat and added those vocals in. The choir just hit me differently. It brought a whole nother mood and I felt it would be perfect for the intro. The song fits the album cover, it fits the album name, so where else would it be better to put the song than #1? So I figured let’s just open the album with a little church vibe.
A picture is worth a thousand words. I got so many good and bad responses based on my album cover. People just don’t know how smart I am. For one, I wouldn’t dare mock God in any way. If anything I’m a piece of Him, I’m representing him.
“Glockaveli“
It was originally the intro until I recorded “Hallelujah” so I scooted it down to the second song. This is a normal Glock song and beat that fans are expecting to hear but with some new elements behind it so I was excited to put this song on there.
“Blue Devil“
I recorded “Blue Devil” in Paris, I forgot that! During Fashion Week! It was just one of those songs that’s from Memphis and hit hard. It reminded me of when I was a kid. I just grew up and put my own twist on it.
“Made A Way“
“Made A Way” is like my favourite song. I made that when… I think I was mad that day. People were just testing me. Not physically, but I just felt like I was being tested at that time.
“Watch Da Throne“
I really didn’t have any reason behind this song. It was just the energy in the studio that day. I mentioned a lot of iconic duos in this song. Me and Tay Keith go back since highschool. So anything music related that we’re a part of, it’s always a go. It always goes through the roof.
“Badu“
“Badu” came about from me just scanning through beats one day and trying to be versatile. I’ve always loved Erykah’s voice. I always thought she had a unique sound.
“She Ready“
Hahaha this song is just me getting out of my comfort zone. Showing people that I can make different types of music. Ready Spaghetti is a term I first heard when I was a kid. It was just catchy and a good fit for this song.
“No Sweat“
This song was just for fun and me and my producer being creative. I chose this song as a single before the album because I knew it would catch everyone off guard with the Keith Sweat sample. Everyone would think it’s an R&B song and it’s not, so it was a good one to get the people going.
“The Grinch“
This was a light reflective song reminiscing on my childhood and early teen days. My favorite memory of being a jit is so many. In general just jumping off the porch, it’s so many stories to how I got here now.
“Sunny Dayz“
I think I recorded “Sunny Dayz” around the time I recorded “Made A Way.” The beat put a bit of positive energy in me because of how upbeat it is. It’s just something about this song, once the beat drops it just makes you happy. This is another one of my favorites too.
“Papercutz“
This is another one of my favorites. The beat of this song caught my attention from the first 5 seconds and the rest was history. This song is just me being Glock and just telling it how it is.
“Kill My Vibe“
This is one of my favorites too. I think it was something going on the day I recorded it that just threw me off. I end up just making a song about it and putting all that energy into the music. When I’m recording I mostly just go off my vibe and how I’m feeling. Other than that in the studio all I need is some flowers, the THC kind lol. The thought process in the studio is really based on the tempo of the beat, the energy of the room, and how under the influence I am with my creativity. “Kill My Vibe” is a chill song but it’s bold and it’s true!
“I’m Getting It“
For this one it was just one of those late night studio sessions. Me and the guys and me just venting and popping it at the same time.
“Again“
Matter of fact “Again” was the last song I recorded for this album. It was just me being in the studio just working. I liked the beat and I noticed there was no other type of song like this on the album. So I figured why not add it.
“Cream Soda“
It’s definitely a Memphis vibe. I stayed close to home and my roots with this one. The vocabulary I’m using and the beat itself screams Memphis. Cream Soda is a special delicacy for Memphis people especially my generation.
“Don Dada“
This was just a fun song that came from me recording in the middle of the day. No rhyme or reason, just fun. A Don Dada is HIM… that man…that person…the ONE.
“World Is Ourz“
This is basically a statement song from me to everyone around me. It’s not just me, its ours! In terms of being on top of the world, it feels like I need to get a little higher. I don’t really want to be on top of the world. I just want the world to know who I am and appreciate the music.
“3AM in ToKEYo“
My first time in Tokyo I couldn’t find a studio. Luckily I had my equipment with me so I just recorded in my hotel room, then once I was finished I went out and shoot the video in the streets of Japan. Easy!
About The Tracklist…
It took 90 days for this final tracklist to come together. It took a lot of samples not getting cleared, unwanted procedures, producer troubles, numerous things. But it all worked out. When I do pick a tracklist, I take votes from at least 10 people in 5 to 6 different locations to reflect what my fans want to hear. From there I collect the different tracklist votes from all of those groups. Then I get with my personal circle and we pick a tracklist based on those 6 variations. It’s a lot of votes and takes time.
