Key Glock, the rising rap star from Memphis, has a story that’s grabbing attention. He’s opened up about why he traded his hometown for Atlanta, and it all ties back to a life-changing moment with his mentor, Young Dolph.
In a fresh take on his journey, Glock shares how this move wasn’t just about music—it was about family, safety, and chasing a dream with lyrics that hit hard for his fans.
Key Glock, born Markeyvius LaShun Cathey, grew up in South Memphis—a place that significantly shaped him. Life wasn’t easy. His mom, Tameika, went to prison when he was just a toddler, and she stayed there for 15 years. His dad popped in and out, so Glock leaned on his grandma and aunt to raise him. Those tough days built his grit and sparked his love for music.
Memphis isn’t just a city to Glock—it’s a vibe. He grew up bumping Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat, who he calls the “Drake of Memphis.” That raw, real sound stuck with him.
“I wanted to make music that felt like home,”
Glock said in a recent chat that his fans love that he keeps it authentic, delivering strong lyrics that paint pictures of his past.
Glock didn’t just stumble into music—family pulled him in. His aunt was married to Young Dolph’s uncle, and that’s how the two met.
“It was random,”
Glock told The Breakfast Club in 2025.
“I got in some trouble, did some time, and when I was getting out, my auntie told Dolph about me. He hit me up, and boom—it started.”
Dolph wasn’t just a big name in rap; he was a mentor who saw something in Glock. After high school, Dolph dropped a game-changer:
“Come to Atlanta with me.”
Glock didn’t hesitate.
“Guess what? I went,”
He said with a grin. That invite wasn’t just about beats and rhymes—it was the start of a whole new chapter.
So, why leave Memphis? For Glock, it was about more than music—it was survival.
“At home, I’m always watching my back,”
He told The Fader in 2018.
“You gotta be smart in Memphis. It’s different.”
Atlanta promised a safer place to grow, and Glock jumped at the opportunity. By 2018, he was calling it home for good.
But here’s the kicker: he didn’t go alone. Glock made sure his whole family left Memphis, too.
“My people ain’t there anymore,” he said. “I got everybody out.”
That move shows how important it was for him to keep his loved ones safe while chasing his dreams. His fans see that loyalty, which shines through in his creative process.
“I write for them,” he’s said. “They need to feel where I’m at.”
Does Glock miss Memphis? Sure, it’s still home.
“Always will be,”
He admitted. But he’s honest about it:
“There’s no reason to go back. My family’s gone from there.”
Now, when he rolls through, it’s for business or to give back, like charity events for the kids who remind him of his younger self.
His music, though? That’s where Memphis lives. Those heavy beats and sharp lyrics? Pure Tennessee soul. Fans can’t get enough, and Glock knows it.
“I’m giving them that real Memphis flavor, but from a new place,”
He said.
Young Dolph didn’t just bring Glock to Atlanta—he showed him how to shine.
“He let me be me,”
Glock shared.
“Music, life, everything—I do it my way.”
Dolph’s belief in him fueled Glock’s creative fire. He started crafting tracks that hit hard, full of stories his fan base craves.
Then came the heartbreak. Dolph was killed in 2021, and Glock felt it deep. He stepped back, unsure if music still fit.
“It didn’t feel the same,”
He tweeted in 2022 but bounced back with “Proud,” a tribute to Dolph in which he poured out his pain. Fans ate it up, proving his lyrics still resonate.
Here’s a wild twist: just a week before Dolph died, he gave Glock some advice that stuck.
“If anything happens to me, take it to the majors,”
Dolph told him during a crew talk. Glock said.
“I didn’t think much of it then, But he knew something.”
After Dolph’s death, Glock signed with Republic Records, keeping one foot in Dolph’s Paper Route Empire. It was a big move, driven by that last push from his mentor.
“That wasn’t random,” Glock reflected. “He wanted me to level up.”
And level up he did—delivering tracks that keep his fans hooked. Glock’s creative process is all about his people.
“I think about what they need to hear,”
He’s said.
“Strong lyrics—that’s what they want.”
He keeps it honest whether he’s spitting about his past or new life. Tracks like “Proud” and his latest drops show he’s not afraid to dig deep, and his fan base loves him for it.
Leaving Memphis didn’t mean leaving his roots. It meant growing them somewhere new.
“I’m still that South Memphis kid,” he said. “Just with a bigger stage.”
Key Glock’s move from Memphis to Atlanta wasn’t just a relocation but a bold step forward. With Dolph’s guidance, he found a safer spot to build his life and sound. He brought his family along, left the dangers behind, and kept his fans front and center with every lyric he writes.
As he keeps climbing, Glock carries Dolph’s lessons with him.
“He showed me the way, now I’m running with it.”
He said.
From South Memphis streets to Atlanta’s spotlight, Key Glock’s proving he’s here to stay—delivering the music his fans can’t live without.