Memphis-based rapper GloRilla took home her first BET Award last night, winning in the Gospel/Inspirational category for her song “Rain Down on Me,” a collaboration with Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music.
“It’s a blessing to get the Gospel award first because I owe it all to God,” GloRilla said during her acceptance speech.
For many, the news came as a surprise—including GloRilla herself. She acknowledged that her music isn’t typically recognized in this category.
“Shout out to Kirk Franklin,” she said to the gospel legend, who joined her on stage. “I’m not gon’ lie, I was kind of scared to ask him for a feature on this song because ya’ll know how I be rapping. When he said ‘yes,’ I was so excited, I had this song in the vault for so long.”
When “Rain Down on Me” was released in October, some Maverick City fans expressed mixed feelings about the worship band collaborating with a rapper known for explicit lyrics.
“You don’t have to collaborate with sinners to reach a generation,” one X user wrote. “If God said for them to do the record that’s fine, but where is the discipleship? It’s not judgement…where is the fruit? Are we truly walking with Christ, and reading the word? Cause that’s a thin line.”
Others, however, saw the partnership as an opportunity to reach new audiences.
“If a seed is sown to just one person from her album, that’s doing more for the kingdom than you are making a post about canceling Maverick City,” another user argued.
Ultimately, the BET Awards recognized the inspiration behind the song. GloRilla won over fellow nominees Common, Pastor Mike Jr., Fridayy, Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and Rapsody.
Last year, ahead of her debut album—which features collaborations with artists like Sexyy Red, Megan Thee Stallion, and Latto—GloRilla, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, spoke with Tamron Hall about growing up in church.
“Both my mom and dad were Christians, and we were in church all the time,” she said. “If church could’ve been open seven days a week, we would’ve been there every day. I always have to put God first in whatever I do. I just don’t let too much negativity get to me.”
