As Gloss Up joins the Zoom call, she’s sporting a bright smile in her room as she prepares for her project, Not Your Girl: Act l, to be released. “I hate these days before my project [releases] because I get so nervous [laughs],” she tells GU. The 26-year-old is coming off the heels of major recognition including signing with Atlanta label Quality Control. Throughout her career, she experienced the industry while also maneuvering the ebbs and flows of motherhood along with being in your 20s, so she knew with this era, it was time to tell her story with her project. “Originally, the title was Soft Girl Era because I was dealing with somebody, and then a lot of stuff started happening, and my manager came up with Not Your Girl,” she says.
The seven-track EP highlights the rapper’s southern flow against bass-thumping beats as she taps into different layers of herself while also including features from Jacquees, Hunxho, and Skilla Baby. Kicking it off with the opener “See What I’m Saying,” she’s using all of her energy to let her fans and haters see her growth as an artist. Known as Jerrica Russel in her hometown, her journey in rap started in Memphis, where she recorded songs on her phone and later joined a rap group.
“Then we started rap beefing,” she says. “When we started rap beefing in Memphis on Facebook, everybody started going crazy, and I started getting recognition.” The thrill she got from spitting braggadocious bars and cocky melodies opened up a new perspective for her that solidified her dream to become an artist. From Moneybagg Yo to Blac Youngsta, she remixed the tracks of several city natives that drew several eyes to her, ultimately welcoming her into the next class of artists representing Memphis. “I’m so glad I’m one of them girls out of Memphis because a lot of girls from back home were haters,” she says. As the Zillennial rapstress catches up with GU, she chats about musical growth, industry friendships, and self-love.
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Girls United: You kicked off this era with a movie-like trailer. What was it like putting this together?
Gloss Up: We shot three videos in one day and recently shot the other videos, and they came together like a movie. I know we have to do a good rollout, so I thought this was the best way to do it to make people tune in. In my recent projects, I never had a good rollout, and I used to just go live and expect to get streams, but it doesn’t work like that.
GU: As you keep elevating your artistry, what have you learned about the marketing and business side of rolling out projects and making this a whole moment for you?
Gloss Up: You have to catch their attention because the world’s attention span is so short. You have to be yourself and relatable when doing certain things. I open up a lot, and I let my fans in by telling them how I’m feeling, and I think that’s important.
GU: Yes, we have to talk about the Glitter Gang. How does it feel to have them cling to you and want to get to know your story throughout your career?
Gloss Up: I like it because when I talk to them, they give me feedback and help me with my artistry. When I go to the studio, I always ask what they like and I appreciate them because they like me and my personality.
GU: What was the creative process like recording and what mental space were you in at the time?
Gloss Up: Originally I wanted to be on some soft girl stuff and I wanted to be different and that’s how I got the songs with Jacquees and Hunxho because everybody else was like “f-ck a n-gga,” but I just having fun and being creative.
GU: Aside from the features, what was your favorite solo song to record?
Gloss Up: The first song on my project “See What I’m Saying,” is my favorite. I recorded that in my house downstairs in my closet. I was in my element and feeling unf-ckwitable [laughs].
GU: As you reflect on your rise in the industry another standout aspect is your friendship with GloRilla, Aleza, K Carbon, and Slimeroni. How does it feel to watch you and your friends grow in the industry?
Gloss Up: It’s fun because we don’t hate each other or hate on each other, which is the best part about it because I’m so used to it with my old friends who used to rap.
GU: What would you say you’re most excited for the Glitter Gang to take away from this project?
Gloss Up: Hearing the overall project, because I tapped into another side of me, I want them to feel self-confident.
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About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.