# Key Glock
**Key Glock** is the stage name of Markeyvius LaShun Cathey (born 1997), an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from [Memphis, Tennessee](https://www.edgepedia.org/memphis-tennessee), and the cousin of the late Memphis rapper [Young Dolph](https://www.edgepedia.org/young-dolph)[1](https://keyglock.com/). Cathey signed with Dolph's label Paper Route Empire in 2017 and built a catalog of charting mixtapes and albums, including *Yellow Tape* (2020), the *Dum and Dummer* series with Dolph, *Glockoma 2* (2023), and the major-label debut *Glockaveli* (2025)[1](https://keyglock.com/) • [2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and date | Markeyvius LaShun Cathey, born 1997 in Memphis; cousin of Young Dolph[1](https://keyglock.com/) • [3](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/c5460e21-d5e7-4e26-ab4c-ba9c627809f8) |
| Label | Signed to Young Dolph's Paper Route Empire in 2017; partnership with Republic Records announced in 2025[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/) • [5](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/) |
| Breakthrough album | *Yellow Tape* (2020) peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA[1](https://keyglock.com/) |
| Highest-charting album | *Yellow Tape 2* (2021) reached number seven on the Billboard 200[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789) |
| Hot 100 entries | "Let's Go" (No. 59, 12 weeks), "Proud" (No. 73, 12 weeks), "Ungrateful" with Megan Thee Stallion (No. 82, 12 weeks), "Dirt" (No. 88, 12 weeks); zero top-10 hits[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/) |
| Recent albums | *Glockoma 2* (2023, No. 13); *Glockaveli* (May 2, 2025); *Project X* (June 19, 2026)[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789) • [5](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/) • [7](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482) |
## Early life and background
Cathey was born in South Memphis in 1997. His mother was sent to prison when he was still a toddler and spent much of the next 16 years moving between state and federal institutions, while he was raised by his grandmother[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/). Apple Music's biography says he was raised by his grandmother and aunt after his mother was imprisoned before his second birthday[7](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482), while Pitchfork reports he was brought up by his grandmother and great-grandmother, with his father mostly absent[8](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/key-glock-yellow-tape/). He attended Hamilton High School, where his classmates included the future producer [Tay Keith](https://www.edgepedia.org/tay-keith)[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/).
MusicBrainz records the artist under the name Markeyvius Cathey, born 1997 in Memphis, with ISNI code 0000 0004 6659 6476[3](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/c5460e21-d5e7-4e26-ab4c-ba9c627809f8).
## Career beginnings and Paper Route Empire
In 2016 Cathey self-released the mixtape *Whole Lotta Errthang*[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/). Young Dolph heard it and, in 2017, signed Cathey to his Paper Route Empire label, where he released his second mixtape, *Glock Season*[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/). *Glock Season* included the singles "On My Soul" and "Racks Today" featuring Jay Fizzle, with production from Sosa 808, Izze tha Producer, and DJ Squeeky[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789).
Two 2018 releases followed on the label. *Glock Bond* just grazed the Billboard Top 100, while the mixtape *Glockoma*, released November 23, 2018 with 14 songs in 37 minutes, broke into the [Top 40](https://www.edgepedia.org/top-40)[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/) • [7](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482). Its opening track "Since 6Ix" references a childhood raised by his grandmother and aunt after his mother's imprisonment[7](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482).
## Breakthrough and discography
The 2019 joint album with Young Dolph, *Dum and Dummer*, was streamed tens of millions of times[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). *Yellow Tape*, his debut studio album, came out at the end of January 2020 and debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, arriving amid a Memphis rap renaissance that also included [NLE Choppa](https://www.edgepedia.org/nle-choppa) and [BlocBoy JB](https://www.edgepedia.org/blocboy-jb); before the coronavirus outbreak he toured with Dolph on the "No Rules" tour[1](https://keyglock.com/) • [4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/). The 2020 release *Son of a Gun* debuted at number 37 on the Billboard 200[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789).
In 2021, *Dum and Dummer 2* hit number eight on the Billboard 200, and *Yellow Tape 2* followed with the singles "Ambition for Cash," "Da Truth," and "Toolie"[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). *Yellow Tape 2* peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and spawned the multi-platinum single "Ambition for Cash" and "Proud," his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, released after Dolph's death[1](https://keyglock.com/). A deluxe edition of *Yellow Tape 2* and the EP *PRE5L* both appeared in 2022[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789).
## By the numbers
Key Glock's Hot 100 record consists of four entries, each peaking between number 59 and number 88, and Billboard lists zero top-10 hits for him[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/):
- "Proud" debuted February 5, 2022, peaked at number 73, and spent 12 weeks on the chart[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/).
- "Ungrateful," with [Megan Thee Stallion](https://www.edgepedia.org/megan-thee-stallion), charted August 27, 2022, peaked at number 82, and spent 12 weeks[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/).
- "Dirt" charted March 11, 2023, peaked at number 88, and spent 12 weeks[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/).
- "Let's Go," with Young Dolph, debuted March 9, 2024, peaked at number 59 on April 27, 2024, and spent 12 weeks[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/).
His album peaks span number seven (*Yellow Tape 2*) to number 37 (*Son of a Gun*), with *Yellow Tape* at number 14 and certified gold by the RIAA according to his official site[1](https://keyglock.com/) • [2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). The pattern shows a catalog built on consistent mid-level album charting and streaming rather than hit singles: no Hot 100 entry has reached the top 40, while several of his albums landed in the top 15[6](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/) • [2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789).
## Artistry and critical reception
AllMusic describes him as delivering "cold, stark, uncompromising verses about sex, guns, and money," updating the woozy, narcotic style of Memphis greats like [Three 6 Mafia](https://www.edgepedia.org/three-6-mafia)[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). Growing up, he immersed himself in the work of Three 6 Mafia and [Project Pat](https://www.edgepedia.org/project-pat)[7](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482). Pitchfork characterized *Yellow Tape* as a street-rap saga peppered with trenchant narrative detail[8](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/key-glock-yellow-tape/).
On *Glockoma 2*, about half the songs are produced by Paper Route Empire's in-house producer Bandplay, and the beats are husky, off-kilter, and pounding[9](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rapper-key-glock-interview-1234735200/). Glock described the album's intent as reaching listeners unfamiliar with his aggression on records[9](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rapper-key-glock-interview-1234735200/). Regional press at the time of *Yellow Tape* positioned him as heir apparent to Dolph's Memphis rap label, noting that he "wed a distinctive style with an abundance of substance" compared to contemporaries[4](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/).
## Dolph's death and its aftermath (2021–2023)
Young Dolph was fatally shot in Memphis in 2021. One week before the killing, Dolph urged Glock to sign a major-label deal if anything ever happened to him[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/). Pitchfork has written that, after Dolph was killed, Key Glock was deprived of both a cherished relative and creative partner and the person who had shaped his career more than anyone else.[10](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/key-glock-glockoma-2-deluxe/)
*Glockoma 2*, released in late February 2023, was his third studio album and his first since the murder[9](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rapper-key-glock-interview-1234735200/). Pitchfork characterized the deluxe edition as a blues-inflected album that keeps a tight focus while alluding to the loss of his mentor, maintaining the laser-sharp focus of his previous Southern hustle music[10](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/key-glock-glockoma-2-deluxe/).
## What has changed since 2023
*Glockoma 2* reached number 13 on the Billboard 200, and "No Hook 2" previewed the project *Glocktober*; 2024 singles included "The Greatest" and "Big Big Money"[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). Key Glock stepped away from music in 2024 for personal and creative realignment, and on his return in 2025 he had inked a partnership deal with [Republic Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/republic-records) that maintains his long-standing relationship with Paper Route Empire while granting him a wider audience[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/). Of the deal he said, "I feel like I exceeded my goals as an independent artist… In this next chapter, I'm planning on getting platinum albums and more plaques"[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/).
He formally began his major-label era on May 2, 2025, with *Glockaveli*, his fourth studio album, inspired by 2Pac's Makaveli persona and including the [DJ Paul](https://www.edgepedia.org/dj-paul)-produced "3AM in ToKEYo"; the release was accompanied by a 20-city tour[5](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/). A deluxe edition, *Glockaveli: The Don*, followed[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). After guesting on BIA's track "DADE," he returned in November 2025 with the solo single "A+"[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789). In 2026 he released songs with [Sexyy Red](https://www.edgepedia.org/sexyy-red) and MudBaby Ru, then issued the 20-song album *Project X* on June 19, 2026, which includes the top song "BIG 5"[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789) • [7](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482).
## References
1. [Key Glock (official site)](https://keyglock.com/)
2. [Key Glock — Biography, Discography & Reviews, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/key-glock-mn0003641789)
3. [Key Glock, MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/c5460e21-d5e7-4e26-ab4c-ba9c627809f8)
4. [Memphis rapper Key Glock emerges with substance to match style, The Topeka Capital-Journal](https://eu.cjonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/04/memphis-rapper-key-glock-yellow-tape-young-dolph-paper-route-empire/5083463002/)
5. [Key Glock On Channeling 2Pac With 'Glockaveli', Grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/news/key-glock-glockaveli-new-album-interview-tupac/)
6. [Key Glock | Biography, Music & News, Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/artist/key-glock/)
7. [Glockoma, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/glockoma/1442147482)
8. [Key Glock: Yellow Tape Album Review, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/key-glock-yellow-tape/)
9. [Interview: How Memphis Rapper Key Glock Turned Grief Into Motivation, Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rapper-key-glock-interview-1234735200/)
10. [Key Glock: Glockoma 2 (Deluxe) Album Review, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/key-glock-glockoma-2-deluxe/)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Hip hop scenes worldwide › Artists, groups, and people: Hip hop scenes worldwide › Southern US rap (Atlanta, Memphis, Houston, New Orleans, Florida) › Memphis and Tennessee rap*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license