Sound Advice: Key Glock

Join Key Glock on Sound Advice, the weekly interview series covering artists’ journeys and their creative process. In this episode, we discuss his 2025 album ‘Glockaveli,’ collaborating with producers, staying motivated, using SoundCloud since day one and more.

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Welcome to Sound Advice, the series spotlighting artists’ creative process and their SoundCloud journey. We’ll get the inside knowledge straight from the source on how musicians, producers and creatives are leaning into everything SoundCloud offers to elevate their sound, get heard and catapult their careers. Sound Advice is now available in audio format on the SoundCloud Stories profile.

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In this installment of Sound Advice, we’re talking to none other than Key Glock. Born Markeyvius Cathey, the rapper, now 27, first jumped on the scene in 2016 with his first mixtape ‘Whole Lotta Errthang.’ Soon after, he signed with Paper Route Empire; the label formed by his older cousin and mentor, the late, great Young Dolph. With each release, Key Glock has gone from strength to strength; showing off tight bars, vivid storytelling, heaps of charisma and a laser focus, while often paying homage to the analog warmth and gritty soul of the Memphis classics. 

In May 2025, he released his long-awaited ‘Glockaveli’ album, comprised of 18 songs of straight heat, start to finish, with big singles “3AM In ToKEYo,” “The Grinch” and “Glockaveli.” We talk to Key Glock about the making of the record, his influences — from 2Pac to Keith Sweat — and the evolution of his sound; from a high schooler recording in his bedroom to his present-day baller status.

During our conversation, Key Glock also shared some insights into his creative process and his famed “no features” policy, and even offered advice to artists who are trying to push through the hardships and stay motivated.

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LISTEN TO THE AUDIO EPISODE OF SOUND ADVICE FEATURING KEY GLOCK

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LISTEN TO ‘GLOCKAVELI’ BY KEY GLOCK

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Things We Talked About In This Episode of Sound Advice

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Key Glock Returns in 2025 With ‘Glockaveli,’ His Most Expansive and Ambitious Records Yet
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• We begin the conversation by talking about ‘Glockaveli,’ Key Glock’s fifth studio album. Over 21 tracks, Glock flexes on beats that sound as triumphant as he does. Opening up about the making of the project, Glock shares more about his approach to the whole sound of ‘Glockaveli,’ which is a bolder, more determined and more personal one than his previous work. The project places a greater emphasis on storytelling among the party anthems, with deep, lyrical tracks that resonate.
• It’s a style that Key Glock knows that his fans have come to love him for, and that he’s growing ever-confident in. Reflecting on the making of ‘Glockaveli,’ he says that he wouldn’t change a thing; that he’s as committed to music-making today as ever before, spending more time in the recording studio than at home.

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Key Glock’s Early Rap Days in Memphis, Making DIY Music and Using SoundCloud to Promote His Developing Sound 
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• Going all the way back, Key Glock tells us the story of how he got into making music. At just 15 years old, inspired by his favorite rappers Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane, Key Glock tells us that he made his first tracks on digital software program called Mixcraft — a sign of a pre-Pro Tools world — while his friend set up a microphone at his house for him to record with. As Key Glock tells it, those early days were all about learning how to record himself. 
• After Key Glock’s grandmother, a devoted figure in his life, bought him a laptop and microphone for Christmas, he devoted himself to writing and recording bars. Before he linked up in high school with producers like Tay Keith, he learned to rap over beats he found on YouTube and uploaded them to his SoundCloud page from his phone. After over 10 years on the platform, Key Glock sees SoundCloud as playing a pivotal role in his process, giving him access to fans that have grown up with him. 
• This raw, direct way of working allowed him to produce music at a rapidfire rate, and made him a stronger, more versatile rapper. As he tells it, it also gave him momentum; after he stopped playing sports during his school days, he pulled back from street life and, on the encouragement of those close to him, refocused all of his energy on rap music. 
• Looking back on that time, and thinking about how up-and-coming artists may be going through a similar period of change and sacrifice, Key Glock shares sage advice: Treat every track you make as if it’ll be the best and the last one you’ll ever make, and your catalog will only become stronger.

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The Origins of Key Glock’s “No Features” Policy and Staying Motivated As an Artist
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• We return to the subject of ‘Glockaveli.’ Despite its tracks being written over the course of nearly two years, Key Glock tells us that his vision for the album was one of cohesion; across tempos, moods and sample choices. One thing that’s a constant in ‘Glockaveli’ — like much of Key Glock’s discography — is the lack of featured artists on his tracks. His “no features” policy is well-known in the rap game. Here, he shares the backstory that led him to build the reputation he has today for not actively pursuing features on his projects.
• Back in 2018, Key Glock explains he approached a “top five” rapper for a paid feature on one of his tracks, and when he hears nothing back — in his “young” and “hot-headed” ways — swore that he just couldn’t understand that side of the music business, and decided against approaching others in the future. While the experience may have rubbed him the wrong way at the time, he explains how it also motivated him as an artist. 
• On the point of staying motivated, Key Glock gives guidance to fellow artists: What works for you might not work for everyone else, so you have to go with your gut and be yourself. You can’t worry about or blame the next person for your work not being what it can be, or where it could be — it always starts and ends with you. 
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Working with DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, Being Inspired by Tupac’s Makaveli and Getting Creative With Sampling
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• On ‘Glockaveli,’ Key Glock notes he was inspired by several artists from across the genre spectrum. The lead inspiration is the late icon, Tupac Shakur, aka 2Pac, and his Makaveli persona. Key Glock tells us that, for all of the youthful independent music discovery he did on his own, it actually was his mother who introduced him to 2Pac, explaining how he was immediately drawn to 2Pac’s introspective deep cuts, like “Dear Mama.” Glock shares more about how, besides naming the project after 2Pac’s famed persona, the more lyrical tracks and strategic choice of beats and samples is another way he’s paying homage on ‘Glockaveli.”
• We learn more about how Key Glock came to collaborate with DJ Paul of legendary Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia, who he tapped to produce on ‘Glockaveli,’ including the album’s lead single, “3AM in ToKEYo.” Here, Glock explains the importance of building relationships with fellow creatives beyond the walls of a studio. He notes that the collaboration came together in the first place based on the strength of him and DJ Paul checking in on one another and keeping in touch.
• Key Glock goes on to flex his broad musical tastes; across soul, blues and R&B, drawing from artists like Erykah Badu, Curtis Mayfield and Keith Sweat; on tracks like “She Ready,” which showcase a more melodic, R&B side of him, and “No Sweat,” which is inspired by New Jack Swing. 
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Key Glock’s Goals and Moves for 2025 and Onwards
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• Looking forward, and with ‘Glockaveli’ out now, Key Glock is getting ready to hit the road on a solo headline tour of the US, followed by a selection of dates across Europe. You can find out more information about his tour dates and tickets here, and you can check out Key Glock’s latest music videos for ‘Glockaveli’ here.
• Key Glock signs off with some final words of wisdom for creatives today: “Nothing is promised and only you know what you want, so work hard and know your worth.”
  
  

Links and Extras
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Follow Key Glock’s journey on SoundCloud.
‍Press play on Key Glock’s 2025 album, ‘Glockaveli.’
Check out Key Glock’s 2025 tour dates and tickets here.
Follow Tay Keith, who produces beats for Key Glock.
Go back to where it all began with Key Glock’s 2017 debut single, “On My Soul.”
Explore some of Key Glock’s wide-ranging influences, including Lil Wayne, Young Dolph, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat and Gucci Mane, to name a few.
Listen to the Hip-Hop Motivation playlist on SoundCloud.
Never miss an episode and follow the official Sound Advice playlist on SoundCloud.

Getting The Most Out of SoundCloud
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• Learn more about using DMs to connect with fellow artists and potential collaborators.
• Learn more about how to make a custom playlist on SoundCloud.
• Learn more about unlimited uploads, available with an Artist Pro subscription.
• Learn more unlocking access to unlimited distribution, available with Artist Pro.
• Learn more about getting heard with SoundCloud’s updated algorithm, available to Artist and Artist Pro subscribers.
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To discover additional features a SoundCloud Artist or Artist Pro subscription offers, visit here. To catch up on past installments of Sound Advice and make sure you don’t miss out on future episodes, visit here.

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_{CREDITS Host: Vivian Host, Executive Producer: Mike Spinella, Producer: KC Orcutt, Audio Engineer: David “DibS” Shackney, Coordinator: Trevor McGee, Editorial Associate: Lauren Martin}