Memphis rapper Key Glock has shared a haunting conversation with his late mentor and cousin, Young Dolph. Just one week before Dolph’s tragic death in 2021, he advised Glock to sign with a major label—a directive that has now come to fruition with Glock’s recent signing to Republic Records while maintaining his ties to Paper Route Empire (PRE), the label founded by Dolph.
In an April 25, 2025, interview on The Breakfast Club, Key Glock recounted a chilling moment from a roundtable discussion with Dolph, Daddy O, and other close associates, held just days before Dolph’s untimely passing.
“The week before Dolph passed in Memphis, him, Daddy O, and a couple more of our circle just had, you know, just a regular talk, a round table talk, and s**t was so crazy. Dolph said, like, ‘If anything go left, like, if anything happens to me, take Glock to… the majors,'”
Glock recalled.
He emphasized that this advice wasn’t random, as he and Dolph had previously discussed the potential benefits of partnering with a major label, despite their independent success.
Glock described the timing as almost prophetic:
“It wasn’t even needed now. It just was okay. I know bruh wanted me to do this, and he didn’t say it for no reason, and, like, it wasn’t no coincidence he said it like a week before.”
Young Dolph was renowned for his fiercely independent approach to the music industry, a path that Key Glock deeply respected.
“I never wanted to be the biggest independent artist. This was his thing… I never wanted to take that away,”
Glock explained.
However, he acknowledged that they had consistently recognized the financial potential of a major label partnership.
“We always knew how much money we could make with a major. So, that’s why I really kind of did it.”
In March 2025, Republic Records officially announced Key Glock’s signing, marking a significant milestone in his career. While joining the major label, Glock continues to honor his roots by maintaining his affiliation with PRE. This dual commitment reflects his desire to balance commercial aspirations with loyalty to Dolph’s vision.
Key Glock’s move to Republic Records represents a calculated step forward.
“I feel like I exceeded my goals as an independent artist,”
he told Billboard.
“At this point, I’m just working with people that have been operating on the level I already saw myself on. In this next chapter, I’m planning on getting platinum albums and more plaques.”
His independent success—including top 20 Billboard 200 projects like Yellow Tape (2020), Yellow Tape 2 (2021), and Glockoma 2 (2023), as well as the viral hit “Let’s Go” with 178 million streams—has laid a strong foundation for this new phase.
Daddy O, PRE’s president, confirmed that Glock’s decision aligns with his conversations with Dolph before his passing:
“Me and Dolph always discussed that maybe one day if it made a lot of sense and if it was the right partner, it could be a possibility.”
Key Glock’s career has been deeply intertwined with Young Dolph since he signed to PRE in 2017. Born Markeyvius LaShun Cathey and raised in South Memphis, Glock flourished under Dolph’s mentorship, building a loyal fanbase through consistent releases. In a bittersweet announcement, Glock revealed that fans can expect unreleased collaborations with Dolph:
“It’s in route, full project, full album, it’s in route.”
This forthcoming release will undoubtedly hold special significance for fans still mourning Dolph’s November 2021 passing.
Additionally, Glock is set to release his album Glockaveli on May 2, 2025, under Republic Records, with the single “No Sweat” marking the beginning of this new era.
Key Glock’s revelation about Young Dolph’s final advice adds a profound layer to his recent career moves. The timing of Dolph’s guidance, followed by his tragic death, creates a compelling narrative about the enduring power of mentorship and the weight of legacy in the music industry.
As Glock embarks on this next chapter—balancing his Republic partnership with his unwavering connection to PRE—he is honoring Dolph’s vision and forging his own path. With upcoming releases, including the highly anticipated album of unreleased collaborations with Dolph and his new project Glockaveli, Key Glock is poised to carry forward his mentor’s legacy while stepping into his spotlight.
