Gloria Velez shared candid insights into her time in the hip-hop scene, including dating Jay-Z and her role in his iconic “Big Pimpin'” video.
Contrary to popular belief, Gloria revealed she wasn’t personally chosen by famed director Hype Williams but was brought into music videos through connections like Irv Gotti. She accepted the “Big Pimpin'” gig despite a strained relationship with Jay-Z at the time. Gloria also opened up about a painful episode involving Jay-Z and her then-friend, Keisha. After establishing a close bond with Keisha, Gloria started dating Jay-Z. During a night out, Jay-Z and Keisha secretly hooked up despite Gloria’s clear boundaries, leaving her devastated. Though Jay-Z later apologized, Gloria cut ties with both and stepped away from that world.
Gloria Velez recounts her experience on the set of Nas and Bravehearts’ “Oochie Wally” video, where a complex love triangle unfolded involving Jay-Z’s girlfriend at the time. Gloria, then just 19, was invited by director Benny Boom to join the shoot and quickly formed a platonic friendship with Nas. However, tensions arose when Nas proposed a threesome with Gloria and Jay-Z’s girlfriend, who was also an up-and-coming Rocawear employee. Despite Gloria’s warnings, the girlfriend engaged with Nas, leading Gloria to witness them sleeping together—a discovery that reportedly infuriated Jay-Z. This incident, set against the backdrop of the infamous Jay-Z and Nas rivalry, adds a personal layer to their well-known beef. Gloria also reflected on the toxic environments on other video sets, including one involving Ghostface Killah, emphasizing the struggles women faced in the industry. Today, she remains in contact with Jay-Z’s former girlfriend, who has since moved on with her life.