Key Glock
{{short description|American rapper (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Key Glock 2024 interview.png
| caption = Key Glock in 2024
| alias = Glizock, G-Lock, Glock
| birth_name = Markeyvius LaShun Cathey
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|8|3}}
| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2016–present
| website = {{URL|keyglock.com/}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap|Southern hip hop}}
| label = {{hlist|Paper Route Empire|Empire|Republic}}
}}
Markeyvius LaShun Cathey (born August 3, 1997), known professionally as Key Glock, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. The cousin of late Memphis rapper Young Dolph, Cathey signed with his record label, Paper Route Empire, to release his commercial mixtape, Glock Season (2017). His debut studio album, Yellow Tape (2020), peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, Yellow Tape 2 (2021), peaked at number seven on the chart and spawned the multi-platinum-certified single "Ambition for Cash", as well as "Proud", which was released in the wake of Dolph's death and marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. His third album, Glockoma 2 (2023), spawned the sleeper hit single "Let's Go"—his second entry on the chart.{{Cite web|url= https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/key-glock-glockoma-2-interview-1235277051/|title=Key Glock Talks About Young Dolph, Glockoma 2 & What's Ahead|website=Billboard.com|date=March 1, 2023}}
Early life
Markeyvius LaShun Cathey was born in South Memphis on August 3, 1997.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789/biography|title=Key Glock {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|access-date=2020-01-18}} When he was 20 months old, his mother Tameika Cathey was sent to prison, where she would be for the next 15 years. His father was in and out of his life, so he was raised by his grandmother and his aunt. According to Cathey, he and his grandmother occasionally visited his mother in prison during his youth.{{Cite web |last=Godfrey |first=Gavin |title=Key Glock is Memphis's best new lyricist |url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/06/01/key-glock-russian-cream-glock-bond-glockoma-interview |access-date=2020-01-18 |website=The Fader}} At 18 years old, he was charged with three counts of aggravated assault related to his involvement in a shooting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/31407610/man-arrested-for-ice-bar-shooting-that-injured-3|title=Man arrested for ICE Bar shooting that injured 3|website=WMC5|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-19|date=2016-03-07}} Music was a distraction from his oftentimes tumultuous life.
Cathey said he grew up listening to Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, and cites Three 6 Mafia as his largest influence. He was also a big fan of Project Pat, whom he describes as the "Drake of Memphis".{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/03/key-glock-interview-the-break/|title=The Break Presents: Key Glock - XXL|last=III|first=Robby Seabrook|website=XXL Mag|date=March 16, 2018 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}} According to Glock, Pat's songs "If You Ain't From My Hood" and "Gorilla Pimp" changed his life. The latter's chorus inspired one of his breakout songs, "Dig That". The first track that Glock recorded himself was a freestyle of DJ Drama's 2011 song "Ain't No Way Around It".
Career
Glock released his debut mixtape Whole Lotta Errthang in 2016.{{cite web|title=Genius – Key Glock – Whole Lotta Errthang|url=https://genius.com/albums/Key-glock/Whole-lotta-errthang|date=May 26, 2016}} In 2017, Young Dolph signed Key Glock to the Paper Route Empire label. On January 25 of that year, Glock released his debut single "Racks Today" featuring American rapper Jay Fizzle. On June 16, 2017, Glock released his second mixtape, Glock Season, under the label.{{Cite web|url=https://damixhub.com/mixtape/key-glock-glock-season|title=Glock Season - Key Glock (Paper Route Empire)|website=damixhub.com|access-date=2020-01-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/key-glock-glock-season-new-mixtape.117286.html|title=Glock Season|website=HotNewHipHop|access-date=2020-01-20|archive-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204011008/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/key-glock-glock-season-new-mixtape.117286.html|url-status=dead}} His collaborative album Dum and Dummer with Young Dolph reached number eight on the Billboard 200.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/young-dolph|title=Young Dolph Chart History|magazine=Billboard}} Young Dolph's "Major" featuring Key Glock reached number 47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Following the release of his collaborative album Dum and Dummer with Young Dolph, he went on a European tour across Manchester and London. The pair brought out UK rapper Blade Brown as a supporting act. The two proceeded to start the "No Rules" Tour in 2020, beginning on February 5 in Seattle.
On January 31, Key Glock released his debut studio album titled Yellow Tape, which debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200. On May 22, 2020, Key Glock released his sixth mixtape, Son of a Gun, again with no features.
On March 5, 2021, Key Glock and Young Dolph released the single, "Aspen", and announced the release of their second collaborative album, Dum and Dummer 2, due for release on March 26, 2021. It is a sequel to 2019's Dum and Dummer. The project's cartoon artwork references Beavis & Butthead.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/young-dolph-key-glock-aspen-dum-and-dummer-2-album|title=Young Dolph and Key Glock Link for "Aspen" and Announce 'Dum and Dummer 2' Album|work=Complex|last=Mahadevan|first=Tara C.|date=March 5, 2021|accessdate=March 5, 2021}} On November 5, 2021, Glock released his second studio album Yellow Tape 2, a sequel to Yellow Tape.
On January 18, 2022, Key Glock released the song "Proud", a tribute to Young Dolph. It is included on the Dolph tribute compilation Long Live Young Dolph, released January 21, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/key-glock-proud-long-live-young-dolph-tribute-video|title=Key Glock Pays Tribute to Young Dolph in New Song and Video "Proud"|work=Complex|last=Cowen|first=Trace William|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=January 20, 2022}}
On February 24, 2023, Key Glock released his third studio album, Glockoma 2. It is the sequel to his 2018 mixtape Glockoma.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/key-glock-glockoma-2-interview-1235277051/|title=A Night With Key Glock, Rap's Reclusive Star|magazine=Billboard|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=March 18, 2023}}
On March 13, 2025, Key Glock signed to Republic Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/key-glock-republic-records-signing-glockavelli/|title=Key Glock Signs With Republic Records, Announces New Album 'Glockaveli'|website=Billboard|last=Cummings-Grady|first=Mackenzie|date=March 13, 2025|access-date=April 30, 2025}}
On May 2, 2025, after facing several delays, Key Glock released his fourth studio album and major-label debut album, Glockaveli.{{cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-03-18-key-glock-talks-about-the-inspiration-for-his-upcoming-album-glockaveli/|title=Key Glock Talks About The Inspiration For His Upcoming Album 'Glockaveli'|website=iHeart|last=Centeno|first=Tony|date=March 18, 2025|access-date=April 30, 2025}}
Personal life
Key Glock is the cousin by marriage of Young Dolph, who was murdered in November 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/young-dolph-key-glock-interview-1203376855/amp|title=How Rappers Young Dolph and Key Glock Turned Street Smarts Into Business Savvy|work=Variety|last=Ju|first=Shirley|date=October 21, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2020}} Following Dolph's death, in a since-deleted Instagram post, Key Glock called him "my lefthand man, my brother, my cousin, and my mentor." The same month Young Dolph died he got a tattoo of Young Dolph.
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Album details ! colspan="4" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Certifications |
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/chart-history/tlp/|title=Key Glock Chart History: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 13, 2025}} ! style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US ! style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US ! style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| CAN |
|---|
| scope="row"| Yellow Tape
|
|14 |8 |8 |— |
|
| scope="row"| Yellow Tape 2
|
|7 |4 |3 |94 | |
| scope="row"| Glockoma 2
|
| 13 | 8 | 5 | — | |
| scope="row"| Glockaveli
|
| 8 | 4 | 2 | — | |
| colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |
=Compilation albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Album details ! Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US |
|---|
| scope="row" | Paper Route Illuminati{{Cite web|title=Young Dolph Announces New Album "Paper Route Illuminati"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/young-dolph-announces-new-album-paper-route-illuminati-news.136098.html|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=HotNewHipHop|date=July 21, 2021 }} {{Small|(with Young Dolph and Paper Route Empire)}} |
|
=Mixtapes=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Mixtape details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" |Certifications |
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US ! style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US R&B/HH ! style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| CAN |
|---|
| scope="row" |Whole Lotta Errthang{{cite web|publisher= My Mixtapez|title=Mixtape of Whole Lotta Errthang by Key Glock|date=January 2016 |url=https://mymixtapez.com/album/130678|access-date=2020-02-04}}
|
|— |— |— | |
| scope="row" |Glock Season{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Key-Glock-Glock-Season/release/11088588|title=Key Glock - Glock Season|website=Discogs|access-date=2020-02-04}}
|
|— |— |— | |
| scope="row" |Glock Bond{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Key-Glock-Glock-Bond/release/11529444|title=Key Glock - Glock Bond|website=Discogs|access-date=2020-02-04}}
|
|101 |— |— | |
| scope="row" |Glockoma{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Key-Glock-Glockoma/release/13276086|title=Key Glock - Glockoma|website=Discogs|access-date=2020-02-04}}
|
|34 |17 |— | |
| scope="row" |Dum and Dummer {{small|(with Young Dolph)}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dum-and-dummer/1473503466|title=Dum and Dummer by Young Dolph & Key Glock|via=Apple Music|accessdate=August 2, 2019}}
|
|8 |4 |83 | |
| scope="row" |Son of a Gun{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2020-05-22/76388/key-glock-drops-off-new-mixtape-son-of-a-gun|title=Key Glock drops off new mixtape 'Son Of A Gun'|website=Revolt|author=DJ First Class|date=May 22, 2020|accessdate=May 22, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626092244/https://www.revolt.tv/platform/amp/new-music/2020/5/22/21265211/key-glock-son-of-a-gun-mixtape|url-status=dead}}
|
|37 |24 |— | |
| scope="row" |Dum and Dummer 2 {{small|(with Young Dolph)}}
|
|8 |5 |— | |
| colspan="13" style="font-size:90%" |"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ ! rowspan="2" |Title ! rowspan="2" |EP details !Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| US |
|---|
| scope="row" | PRE5L{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/pre5l-ep/1653846620|title=Key Glock - PRE5L - EP |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate= November 18, 2022}}
|
| 190 |
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
=Other charted and certified songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of other charted and certified songs ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Year ! colspan="2" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Certifications ! rowspan="2" | Album |
| style="width:3.5em; font-size:90%"| US ! style="width:3.5em; font-size:90%"| US |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Gang Shit No Lame Shit"
| 2018 | — || — | | Glockoma |
| scope="row"| "Water on Water" {{Small|(with Young Dolph)}} | rowspan="3" | 2019 | — || — | | rowspan="3" |Dum and Dummer |
| scope="row"| "1 Hell of a Life" {{Small|(with Young Dolph)}} | — || — | |
| scope="row"|"Monster" {{Small|(with Young Dolph)}} | — || — | |
| scope="row"|"Word on the Streets"
| rowspan="3" |2020 | — || — | | rowspan="3" |Yellow Tape |
| scope="row" | "Mr. Glock"
| — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Dough"
| — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Something Bout Me"
| 2021 | —{{efn-ua|"Something Bout Me" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2021-11-20|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: Week of November 20, 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 16, 2021}}}} || — | | Yellow Tape 2 |
| scope="row"| "Ungrateful" {{Small|(Megan Thee Stallion featuring Key Glock)}} | rowspan="2" | 2022 | 82 || 29 | |
| scope="row"|"Die Trying"
| — || — | | PRE5L |
| scope="row"| "Dirt"
| 2023 | 88 || 32 | | Glockoma 2 |
| scope="row"| "Glockaveli"
| rowspan="2"| 2025 | — || 43 | | rowspan="2"| Glockaveli |
| scope="row"| "Blue Devil"
| —{{efn-ua|"Blue Devil" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/chart-history/hbu/|title=Key Glock Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 13, 2025}}}} || 25 | |
| colspan="13" style="font-size:90%" |"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Key Glock}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glock, Key}}
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:21st-century American male rappers
Category:Rappers from Memphis, Tennessee
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century African-American musicians
Category:American trap musicians
Category:Southern hip-hop musicians