Crunk, gospel, glorious: glorilla goes from memphis to mainstage

The South Side Ballroom doesn’t often feel this alive. Nestled in the heart of Deep Ellum, its brick walls and industrial loft vibe are perfect for intimate shows—but on March 6, 2025, it became a pressure cooker of pure energy. From the moment fans filed in, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air, a collective anticipation that felt almost tangible. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a movement, a communal exhale, and Memphis’ native GloRilla was about to lead it.

The South Side Ballroom has an unmistakable charm consisting of all exposed beams, polished concrete, and high ceilings. That night it hummed like a live wire. Neon lights danced off the walls, smoke curled from stage effects, and the sound system thumped so hard you could feel it in the depth of your chest. There’s a certain intimacy here—you can see the sweat on the singer’s forehead, the wide-eyed awe on the fans’ faces—but that closeness only magnified the raw power of GloRilla’s performance. From the first beat of “TGIF” to the final high note, GloRilla radiated confidence and charisma. Her moves were sharp, her presence magnetic. But the real magic wasn’t just on stage—it was in the shared gasps, laughter, and shouts from the audience. There was a fleeting, almost electric feeling that only exists in a room full of people united by music. Every verse felt like a spark, every chorus an eruption.

The setlist pulsed with highs and lows: bangers like “Tomorrow 2” had the crowd roaring, while tracks like “Let Her Cook” allowed moments of breathless connection. Between songs, GloRilla spoke to the audience with warmth and authenticity, sharing stories and jokes that turned strangers into a family. Fans were as diverse as the city itself. But that is a common theme and arguably one of the best parts of hip-hop culture itself. From seasoned hip-hop heads sporting vintage jerseys, couples swaying arm in arm, to longtime fans who’ve been following GloRilla since the early viral days—Dallas was buzzing that night.

GloRilla didn’t just headline that night—she transformed it. And if you weren’t there, you missed the kind of energy that only exists once in a while, in a city ready to be set on fire by a woman who came crawling from one of the most iconic music cities in all of America. Memphis showed Texas they produced nothing but stars.