GloRilla to Launch 2025 on ‘Saturday Night Live’ with Dave Chappelle

Rapper GloRilla is starting the new year in style as she steps onto the Saturday Night Live stage as the first musical guest of 2025. Paired with legendary comedian Dave Chappelle, this highly anticipated episode is set to air on January 18, marking a monumental moment for one of hip-hop’s brightest stars.

A Star-Studded Lineup for SNL

On January 10, SNL revealed its guest lineup for the first two episodes of the year. Kicking things off, GloRilla and Dave Chappelle will headline the January 18 episode, combining GloRilla’s musical firepower with Chappelle’s iconic comedic flair. The following week, the show will take a different turn, with Timothée Chalamet stepping into the spotlight as both host and musical guest on January 25.

For GloRilla, this invitation to perform on SNL signifies her explosive impact on the music industry over the past year. Overwhelmed with excitement, the rapper shared the announcement on Instagram, writing, “I’m so excited!!!”

Billboard’s No. 1 Female Rapper of 2024

This news crowns what has been an extraordinary year for GloRilla. In December 2024, Billboard named her the hottest female rapper of the year, an honor that recognizes not only her commercial success but also her ability to bounce back stronger after a challenging 2023.

While 2023 saw her struggle to maintain the same momentum as her breakout hits like “FNF (Let’s Go)” and “Tomorrow 2,” 2024 became her year of redemption. Her comeback single, “Yeah Glo!”, was a confident declaration of her return, reaching the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s success reminded fans and critics alike of her undeniable talent and determination.

She didn’t stop there. Collaborations like “Wanna Be” with Megan Thee Stallion, which soared into the Hot 100 Top 15, and the vibrant summer anthem “TGIF” solidified her position as a dominant force in music.

A Glorious Milestone

In perhaps her most significant achievement to date, GloRilla released her debut album, GLORIOUS, in 2024. The project debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, with an impressive 69,000 album-equivalent units sold in its first week. This marked the highest opening week for a female rapper that year, doubling the sales of her spring mixtape, Ehhthang Ehhthang.

Praise from Industry Titans

Beyond chart success, GloRilla has garnered praise from some of the biggest names in entertainment. Superstars like Rihanna and Taylor Swift have publicly celebrated her as the new “It” girl in rap. Even Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to GloRilla during the final stretch of the 2024 election season, recognizing her influence in mobilizing young voters.

As Carl Lamarre of Billboard noted, GloRilla’s 2024 was defined by her resilience and artistic growth. “She’s a rapper who doesn’t bow to pressure,” Lamarre wrote, pointing to her ability to turn setbacks into stepping stones.

Her meteoric rise has positioned her as one of hip-hop’s most exciting talents, and her upcoming SNL performance is expected to be a highlight of her burgeoning career. Sharing the stage with Dave Chappelle promises to create an unforgettable moment, blending GloRilla’s raw energy with Chappelle’s legendary wit.

For fans of GloRilla and SNL alike, the January 18 episode is more than just a show—it’s a celebration of a star who has worked tirelessly to claim her spot at the top.