Armani Caesar | |
|---|---|
 Armani Caesar in October 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joclynn Clyburn [1] |
| Born | June 5, 1989 [2] Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | Griselda |
| Website | armanicaesar |
Joclynn Clyburn (born June 5, 1989), known professionally as Armani Caesar, is an American rapper. She is currently signed to Griselda Records.
Caesar was born on June 5, 1989, in Buffalo, New York. She attended the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts from grades 5 to 12, and attended marketing classes in North Carolina Central University. She took a class called "Hip Hop Context 1973–1997", taught by 9th Wonder and Christopher Martin. She worked at strip clubs to support herself. [3]
She has been a resident of Charlotte since 2017. [4] In December 2023, she revealed she was pregnant in a photoshoot. [5] [6]
Caesar created her first song in DJ Shay's recording studio after finding a flier. [3]
Caesar was signed to Westside Gunn's Griselda Records in 2020, becoming the label's first female act. Her first studio album, The Liz was released on September 18, 2020. Pitchfork rated the album a 7.2. [7]
The sequel, The Liz 2, was released on October 21, 2022. The singles were "Hunnit Dolla Hiccup", featuring Benny the Butcher and Stove God Cooks, "Paula Deen", featuring Westside Gunn, and "Diana", featuring Kodak Black. [8] The album contains production by Daringer, Camouflage Monk, Denny Laflare and BeatKing. [9] Pitchfork rated the album a 7.4. [10] Both album covers were painted by Isaac Pelayo. [11]
Outside of music, Caesar owns a clothing store, Armani's Closet. She has also written self-help ebooks. [3]
Caesar's music has been described as "luxurious". [12] She cites Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott and Trina as influences. [3]
Alvin Lamar Worthy, known professionally as Westside Gunn, is an American rapper and fashion designer from New York City. He co-founded the hip-hop record label Griselda Records in 2012 with his paternal half-brother Conway the Machine and their cousin and fellow rapper Benny the Butcher. Gunn is recognized as one of the faces of the underground 2010s grimey boom bap resurgence, juxtaposing vivid narratives of street life, high fashion, and sample-heavy production.
Demond Price, known professionally as Conway the Machine, or simply Conway, is an American rapper and co-founder of the hip hop label Griselda Records, alongside his paternal half-brother Westside Gunn. Acclaimed for his 1990s inspired, dark and gritty lyricism, he rose to prominence following his mixtape Reject 2 (2015) and debut studio album From King to a God (2020). His second album, God Don't Make Mistakes (2022), was released by Shady Records and met with universal acclaim.
Jeremie Damon Pennick, known professionally as Benny the Butcher, or simply Benny, is an American rapper and songwriter. He came to prominence in 2018 following the release of his debut album, Tana Talk 3. Along with his cousins and fellow rappers Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine, with which he forms the collective Griselda, he is known for his '90s inspired rap songs and is often credited with leading a revival of the so called 'grimy' and 'gritty' hip hop music, influenced by mafioso and drug dealing themes.
WWCD is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Griselda. It was released on November 29, 2019, by Griselda, Shady, and Interscope.
Griselda Records is an American independent hip hop record label based in Buffalo, New York. It was founded by rapper Westside Gunn, his brother Conway the Machine, and Mach-Hommy in 2012. In addition to the founding members, Benny the Butcher and in-house producer Daringer make up the flagship artists of the Griselda Records roster.
Pray for Paris is the third studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn. It was released on April 17, 2020 through Griselda Records with distribution by Empire Distribution. The album was produced by Daringer, Beat Butcha, the Alchemist, DJ Muggs, and DJ Premier. It features guest appearances from Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, Joey Badass, Tyler, the Creator, Boldy James, Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, Wale, Joyce Wrice, Billie Essco, Keisha Plum, and Cartier Williams. The album debuted at number 67 on the Billboard 200.
From King to a God is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Conway the Machine. It was released on September 11, 2020, by Griselda Records, Drumwork and Empire Distribution. Production was handled by eleven record producers: Beat Butcha, Daringer, Alchemist, DJ Premier, Erick Sermon, Havoc, Hit-Boy, Khrysis, Murda Beatz, Rockwilder and Signalflow Music. It features guest appearances from Armani Caesar, Benny the Butcher, Dej Loaf, El Camino, Flee Lord, Freddie Gibbs, Havoc, Lloyd Banks, Method Man and Westside Gunn. A deluxe version was released on December 18, 2020.
Who Made the Sunshine is the fourth studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn. When it was originally scheduled to be released on August 28, 2020, it was postponed following the death of Griselda Records collaborator DJ Shay from COVID-19. It was finally released on October 2, 2020, through Griselda, Shady, and Interscope.
"Keep My Spirit Alive" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The song features vocals from fellow American rappers Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn and originally featured additional vocals from KayCyy.
God Don't Make Mistakes is the second studio album by American rapper Conway the Machine. It was released through Drumwork, Griselda, Shady, and Interscope on February 25, 2022. The album was preceded by two singles, "Piano Love" and "John Woo Flick". It features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, 7xvethegenius, Jae Skeese, T.I., Novel, Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn, Wallo267, Jill Scott, and Keisha Plum.
Tana Talk 3 is the debut studio album by American rapper Benny the Butcher. It was released on November 23, 2018 through Griselda Records and Black Soprano Family. The album is exclusively produced by The Alchemist and Daringer. It features guest appearances by labelmates Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn and other appearances by Keisha Plum, Meyhem Lauren, Melanie Rutherford and Royce da 5'9".
"Johnny P's Caddy" is a song by American rappers Benny the Butcher and J. Cole. It was released on January 28, 2022 as the lead single from the former's third studio album Tana Talk 4. The song was produced by The Alchemist, and is Benny the Butcher's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. On April 13, 2023 the single was certified GOLD marking the first RIAA certification for both Benny & the Griselda Records label. The song is known as one of the most acknowledged features by J. Cole and is widely considered to be his best feature.
Mach-Hommy is an American rapper and record producer of Haitian descent. He is known for concealing his real name and face in all public appearances, a practice that has led him to be described as "one of hip-hop's most elusive artists".
Pray for Haiti is the twenty-second studio album by Haitian-American rapper Mach-Hommy. It was released on May 21, 2021, through Griselda Records and Daupe!. Production was handled by Camoflauge Monk, Conductor Williams, Denny LaFlare, Cee Gee, DJ Green Lantern, Messiah Muzik, Nicholas Craven and Sadhu Gold, with Westside Gunn and Mach-Hommy serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Westside Gunn, Keisha Plum, Melanie Charles as well as Tha God Fahim and received universal acclaim from critics.
And Then You Pray for Me is the fifth studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn, released on October 13, 2023, by Griselda Records and Empire. The album is a sequel to Gunn's 2020 album Pray for Paris. With guest appearances from AA Rashid, JID, Conway The Machine, Cartier A Williams, Benny the Butcher, DJ Drama, Stove God Cooks, Rick Ross, Estee Nack, Trap-A-Holics, Giggs, Ty Dolla Sign, Keisha Plum, Denzel Curry, Boldy James, EST Gee, Jeezy, DJ Swamp Izzo, DJ Holiday, Peezy, Rome Streetz, and KayCyy, the album features a shift in sound from Gunn's signature boom bap style, incorporating trap elements reminiscent of the late 2000s and 2010s. The album debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200, making it Gunn's highest commercial debut on the chart.
Denzel Williams, known professionally as Conductor Williams, is an American record producer from Kansas City, Missouri. He is known for his work with the musical collective Griselda and has produced for rappers Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Boldy James, and Rome Streetz, as well as their former member and associate Mach-Hommy. He is also known for his work with other artists such as Tyler, The Creator, Drake, JID, and J. Cole.
Jerome Allen, better known by his stage name Rome Streetz, is an American rapper from Queens, New York currently signed to Griselda Records.
Demetrius Chawton Robinson, known professionally as DJ Shay, was an American disc jockey and record producer who often collaborated with Griselda Records artists.
Conflicted is an American 2021 crime drama film by Amire K. Reed. It was written by Duece King, and stars Griselda rappers Benny the Butcher and Westside Gunn.
Isaac Pelayo is an American painter.