Key Glock is preparing to expand his role in hip-hop this summer with the launch of a new record label. This move is deeply connected to the legacy of his late cousin and mentor, Young Dolph. For Glock, now 28, the venture appears less about industry status and more about continuing a model of mentorship. This mentorship helped shape his own rise in Memphis rap. As his career grows beyond mixtapes and touring, he has increasingly spoken about creating opportunities for younger artists coming up behind him.
That vision became clearer as he discussed his first signee, Memphis rapper Zo Trapalot, during a recent interview with Esquire. “He reminded me of me,” Glock said. “He listens. We’ve got a budding relationship outside of music, so I’m just taking him under my wing, just like Dolph did with me. He’s like the little brother I never had.” Rather than framing the label as a quick business expansion, Glock described it as something rooted in trust, guidance, and shared experience.
Key Glock Builds on Young Dolph’s Legacy
The project naturally carries the weight of Paper Route Empire, the independent label Young Dolph built into one of Memphis rap’s defining platforms. Dolph signed Glock in 2017, introducing him to a wider audience. Dolph also helped him develop into one of the city’s most commercially successful artists. That history remains inseparable from Dolph’s death in November 2021, when he was fatally shot outside a cookie shop in South Memphis. The killing led to a lengthy legal case that resulted in multiple convictions tied to the shooting.
Away from the label rollout, Glock’s profile has continued to grow across music and fashion. He recently appeared alongside Megan Thee Stallion in True Religion’s “Make It True” campaign. He has also been recording material connected to his upcoming album Project X. Still, the label launch may ultimately stand as the clearest reflection of where Glock sees his career heading. He imagines not only a solo artist but also as someone attempting to build a lasting infrastructure for the next generation of Memphis talent.
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