She’s everywhere. From the speakers of every passing car in 2022 to the Grammy stage, GloRilla has basically become the face of modern Memphis rap. But behind the deep voice and the "F.N.F." energy, fans are constantly asking the same few questions. When was she born? How old is she really? And where did that name even come from?
The GloRilla date of birth is July 28, 1999.
Honestly, it’s wild to think she’s only in her mid-twenties. She carries herself with the kind of grit and "seen-it-all" wisdom you usually only get from veterans who have been in the game for a decade. But Gloria Hallelujah Woods—yes, that is her actual, government name—is a 90s baby through and through, even if she barely made the cut for that decade.
The Memphis Origins of Gloria Hallelujah Woods
Born in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, Gloria grew up as the eighth of 10 children. Imagine that household. Chaotic? Probably. Loud? Definitely.
She wasn't always the "Big Glo" we know today. In fact, her early years were pretty different from the rap lifestyle. She was homeschooled until the fifth grade and spent a massive chunk of her childhood in church. Her mother was strict, and secular music wasn't exactly the soundtrack of the Woods household.
"I grew up in the church. I got my sound from singing in the choir," she once told Apple Music.
She actually wanted to be a singer first. She had the soul for it, but she says she "lost her voice" (likely from some teenage habits like smoking, as she’s joked about in interviews) and realized her raspy, commanding tone was better suited for bars than ballads.
Why the 1999 Birth Year is Significant
Being born in 1999 puts her at the tail end of the Millennial generation and the very start of Gen Z. It’s a sweet spot. She has the work ethic of the older crowd but knows exactly how to make a song go viral on TikTok.
When "F.N.F. (Let's Go)" dropped on April 29, 2022, she was just 22 years old. By the time she celebrated her 23rd birthday that July, she was already signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG). Talk about a birthday gift.
Beyond the Date: What Makes GloRilla Different?
It isn't just about the age. It's about the era of Memphis she represents. Memphis has always had a specific sound—dark, heavy, and "crunk." People like Three 6 Mafia and Gangsta Boo paved the way, but GloRilla brought that energy into the 2020s.
Her real name, Gloria Hallelujah Woods, sounds like a prophecy. It’s a "church name" that stands in stark contrast to her lyrics about being "Free-N-F***ing." That duality is exactly why people love her. She’s authentic. She’s not trying to hide the fact that she was a choir girl; she just evolved into something else.
Fact Check: Common Misconceptions
Some people think she’s older because of her deep voice. It’s a common mistake. In hip-hop, a deeper register often gets associated with maturity or "old school" vibes. But no, she's firmly a 25-year-old (as of 2024) making moves that people twice her age haven't figured out yet.
- Real Name: Gloria Hallelujah Woods
- Birthplace: Memphis, TN
- Zodiac Sign: Leo (which explains the confidence, let's be real)
- Family: 8th of 10 kids
How to Follow Her Journey Today
If you’re looking to keep up with what she’s doing now, you have to look beyond the basic stats. She’s consistently giving back to her roots. In late 2022, she donated $25,000 to her old high school, Martin Luther King College Prep. She’s proving that while she was born in '99, she’s building a legacy that’s meant to last much longer.
What you should do next:
If you want to understand the sound that came out of that 1999 Memphis upbringing, go back and listen to her debut EP Anyways, Life's Great. It’s the best way to hear how those church choir roots transformed into the crunk anthems of today. You can also track her latest tours through her official site or CMG’s updates, as she’s frequently headlining major festivals now.