GloRilla surprises fans with a soulful cameo on Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s track “Cowboy,” marking a bold step in her rising career as she expands beyond rap and prepares for major performances and her next album.

When GloRilla’s voice appeared unexpectedly on Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s new album I Said I Love You First, fans were stunned — in the best way.

The gritty Southern rapper, known for her raw Memphis flow and unapologetic energy, seemed like an unlikely guest on a dreamy track like “Cowboy.” But that’s exactly what made the moment so impactful.

Her soft-spoken outro line on the song brought a layer of vulnerability and contrast that no one saw coming, and suddenly, GloRilla wasn’t just a rap star — she was a genre-defying artist with range.

For the 24-year-old rapper, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, this collaboration was more than just a one-off feature. It was a strategic leap forward. “I was excited because I love Selena,” she shared in a recent interview. “When Benny hit me up, I was all in.

I love when things surprise people.” And surprise people it did — the combination of Gomez’s pop sweetness, Blanco’s experimental production, and GloRilla’s authentic Southern edge created something fresh and memorable.

But GloRilla isn’t new to breaking expectations. Since her breakthrough hit “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” in 2022, she’s been on a steady rise — performing at award shows, gaining the attention of industry giants, and becoming a mainstay on hip-hop playlists.

She’s been co-signed by Cardi B, performed on Saturday Night Live, and most recently, she kicked off her first headlining tour — the Glorious Tour — in support of her 2024 debut album Glorious.

The album has been met with enthusiasm from fans and critics alike. It shows off her versatility, allowing her to experiment with different sounds while staying true to her roots.

It’s filled with the kind of brash, confident anthems that first put her on the map, but there are moments of introspection, too — moments that hint at an artist who’s evolving. This isn’t just about fame or streams for GloRilla. It’s about impact, and longevity.

She recently performed at the McDonald’s All American Games halftime show at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where she specifically tailored her set to resonate with younger audiences.

“I wanted to do something high school-kid friendly,” she said. “But still keep that energy.” That awareness — of who she’s performing for and how to reach them — shows a maturity that many artists twice her age are still learning.

As for her live shows, she’s putting in the work. On tour, she’s been studying the greats. “I’ve been watching Beyoncé’s 2007 concert over and over,” she admitted. “And Michael Jackson too. I want my shows to have that kind of magic.” The ambition is clear: GloRilla doesn’t want to just perform. She wants to be remembered.

Her feature on “Cowboy” feels like a turning point — a soft launch into a broader soundscape. While it’s just a short outro, it signals that she’s ready to play in new spaces, and with new audiences. Fans might know her as the hard-hitting rapper from Memphis, but she’s letting everyone know she can be more than that.

She’s already working on her next project, and she’s curating it with a sharp eye. “I’m making this next album for the fans,” she explained. “I want to give them something real, something that feels good — not just for the moment, but something that lasts.”

And she’s not slowing down. With upcoming performances at Dreamville Fest and Coachella, she’s positioning herself alongside the most in-demand names in music. These aren’t just shows — they’re statements. GloRilla is here, and she’s ready for the big stage.

Meanwhile, her collaborators are no strangers to success. Benny Blanco, a powerhouse producer behind countless pop and hip-hop hits, has been quietly building his own profile as an artist.

Selena Gomez, on the other hand, is enjoying a new chapter in her career — one where she seems more creatively free than ever. Her recent public romance with Blanco has sparked interest from fans, but it’s clear that her focus remains on music and artistry.

That’s why this collaboration, though brief, feels so organic — a mix of three artists from different corners of the industry coming together for a shared creative moment.

It’s also a signal of where music is headed. Genre lines are dissolving, and artists like GloRilla are at the forefront of that movement. She doesn’t need to conform to any one sound or label.

She can be fierce and funny, loud and introspective, hip-hop and melodic — sometimes all in the same track. And now, with a co-sign from Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, even more doors are likely to open.

What makes this story so compelling isn’t just the surprise factor — it’s the promise of what’s next. GloRilla is an artist in transition, straddling the space between rap stardom and full-fledged global appeal. Her voice might’ve closed out “Cowboy,” but her journey is just getting started.