After delivering a series of trunk-rattling hits and Billboard Top 20 projects, Key Glock stepped away from music in 2024 for personal and creative realignment. Upon his return this year, the Memphis rapper had inked a deal with Republic Records. While it was perhaps an uncharacteristic move for the independent star, it fulfilled an important promise.

Born Markeyvius Cathey, Key Glock followed in the footsteps of his cousin and mentor Young Dolph. And one week before the late rapper was fatally shot in their hometown in 2021, Dolph urged Glock to sign a major label deal if anything ever happened to him. In the years since, Glock has continued to praise Dolph in his music and carry on the independent label the "Major" rapper co-founded, Paper Route Empire — and with his new venture, he's able to honor Dolph's legacy and take his own career to the next level.

The partnership deal with Republic allows the "Let's Go" rapper to maintain his long-standing relationship with PRE while granting him a wider musical audience. As he declared to Billboard upon announcing the deal, "I feel like I exceeded my goals as an independent artist… In this next chapter, I'm planning on getting platinum albums and more plaques."

Glock formally kicked off his major label era on May 2 with Glockaveli, his fourth studio album. Inspired by 2Pac's Makaveli persona, the project channels the same trap-infused sound and motivational anthems that have become parables to his artistry — from the soulful "Watch Da Throne" to the booming, DJ Paul-produced "3AM in ToKEYo."

Like Machiavellian themes laced throughout 2Pac's posthumous classic, Glockaveli hints that Glock is determined to make a bigger mainstream splash, no matter how much work is required. And with a new album, a 20-city tour and another planned project on the horizon, "South Memphis' finest" is already full speed ahead.

Below, Glock discusses the "rebranding" that led to Glockaveli, why he channeled 2Pac with his latest album, and how he plans to top himself with his new musical venture.

How was it piecing together your first mainstream album? I heard you had family and friends vote on which songs deserved to be on the final track list.

It was definitely [hard]. I grabbed like five groups of 10, and I just took votes out of all the 50 songs. It went from 50 songs to 30 songs, to 20 and 18 songs. Once I did that, by the time I was done, I had five or six different track lists.

I didn't just go with the s— that I liked. I didn't want to be biased. I'd rather have other people's feedback. They're fans, but they're not my fans. They're my people. They're going to tell me what's right and what's wrong, music related or not.

The album sounds like an elevated version of the sound you've already established. Did you work with any new producers or collaborators for the album?

No new producers. Everybody is from day one. [I worked with] Tay Keith, King Wonka and Mannie iL. Everybody else you heard from this album is who you probably heard from my first or second mixtape.

I couldn't help but notice the 2Pac and Makaveli connection. What inspired the album title and sound?

It came from 2020 or early 2021. Me and Young Dolph planned after my Yellow Tape series, I was going to do the Glockaveli stuff anyway. A lot of people don't even know I already had the chain pre-made and everything. But stuff happens. After a while, I wasn't focused on it any more. I didn't care for music anymore.

But last year, when I took the time away from music, and got my mindset right and my personal life set back the right way, I was recording. I never stopped recording. And it was all these different types of songs and music. It just sounded like a way stronger Glock than any other version of Glock.

You talked about this album symbolizing new beginnings. In what way? Is it personally, musically, or a mixture of both?

Both. It's a rebranding. That's how I look at it.

There's no features on the album. Why such a bold move for your major label debut?

It's a self-confidence thing. I have strong faith and belief in myself, and I just like proving people wrong. I don't mind being the underdog sometimes.

I'm glad I'm like that because it motivates me to always try to do something better than the last thing I've done. I never get content or satisfied with whatever I just did. I'm trying to top that now.

You signed a partnership deal with Republic Records back in March. Was that a strategic move to help you take further steps in your music career?

Of course, it will help. But if I didn't have the work ethic and drive that I have — Republic could do the most, but it starts with me. I can't be 50 percent, and [the label] is 100 percent. We both have to be on the same page, and that's where we are.

With everything you have going on, do you feel like you're the face of Memphis? Or even the South?

I never look at stuff like that. I never even aimed to be looked at like that. I just be me, bro. I let people take it how they want.

Outside of music, you've talked about starting an acting career. What's an ideal role for you?

I'm still waiting for somebody to call me or come get me. I'm slowly showing it myself in my own music videos. And eventually, I'll shoot my own s—, too. Once I get addicted to writing and shooting my own movies, it's over.

I write most of my [music video] treatments now. Not 100 percent, but most of it is my idea. Every video you've seen, seven times out of 10 it's my idea.

You've also teased that you'll be dropping another album for your fans this year. Can you reveal any previews of the project?

[The fans] are going to be satisfied. Well, not even satisfied. They're still going to be hungry. It's like you can't get enough of Glock, basically.

Any surprises fans can expect on the Glockaveli Tour that kicks off May 21?

I can tell you to expect the unexpected. My shows are lit. I'm a rock star.

– Grammy.com