At this current moment in time, it’s impossible to ignore the overflow of feminine energy within the rap industry. The number of successes, dominations, and record-breaking moments women have acquired within the rap game this year alone has yet to fall short. As rappers in the industry, women have simply taken things to the next level. There are the names we hear every day, but then there are names like Griselda Records ‘first lady’ Armani Caesar that come fully backed by hip-hops favorites, Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, and Benny the Butcher who have silently made their way up the ranks to the biggest of leagues.
Like the guys, Armani was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. A student of music and lover of fashion, she dug into her interests at a young age, having begun rapping at age 12. “I started rapping way before I actually let it be known that this is what I do,” she tells. “I'm a perfectionist so If I do something I want to make sure I'm nice already, that it’s right,” - and that’s exactly what she did.
In a moment of fate or a simple coincidence, she met the guys of Griselda at Buff City Studios in their hometown. While she waited to check the space out, she wrote a rhyme that impressed the trio so much, she ended up alongside the guys at shows as one of the Buff City Records artists. “They put my first mixtape out. I did like my first show with them. I wasn’t even old enough to be in the club I was performing at.” This moment gave her a taste of what was to come. Unknowingly to just how big, Armani took a minor break from rap to go to school in North Carolina. “After that, I kind of just [rapped] at my leisure.”
Armani would keep in touch with the guys, and as time progressed and her interests spread to other things, she never put the pen down. Fast forward to March of 2020, she was announced the ‘first lady’ of one of hip-hop’s grittiest groups. Which unknown to so many people, was her first start years ago. “I feel like how I did when I was the first lady of Buff City. It’s still a vibe, but it's still like family. I don’t look at them no different,” she details. “I'm more so excited that we all get to do what we love together and be able to reap the benefits of all of the work that we've been putting in for all these years.”
“It wasn’t one person that made it, it was everybody,” a statement proven true with every release under the Griselda Records umbrella. Even as the notable ‘first lady’, Armani is still the same Armani from before and the family still functions as they did back at Buff City Studios. Her goals are still the same, be the best regardless of age or gender. “When I first started rapping, I didn't go into it trying to be the best female, you know. I came into a group of all men and so I wanted to be the best, period.”
“I’m a great addition to the squad, period. It’s no more pressure with me being a female or anything because I don't hold myself to that standard. I'm just an artist, just like them. I had to make sure I held my own,” Armani tells. “They don't hold no punches with me. They are very on it. If I can go harder, they gon let me know. Luckily it’s just all been working out, and I know it’s all love. I know that if I do have to take their advice, they’re going to not only be honest with me but I can take their critiques seriously because they’re nice.”
With that said, Armani doesn’t hold back and never uses her brothers as a crutch. Known for their ability to bring to life the classic sound of hip-hop, Griselda has taken over the ears of rap fanatics of all ages with their grit and powerful verses. Just like the guys, the talented Armani can gloss over hard-hitting beats taking her fans to her world full of glam and grit. Much like her counterparts, she’s perfected the modernized version of hip-hop origin sounds and fluidity. With a beautiful face, brown skin, and style that compliments her energetic pull, Armani makes sure the focus is still on the lyrics even with all other features on a thousand. Her debut album, THE LIZ plays on each aspect of her persona. The title inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and West’s childhood crush, wrestling star Elizabeth from Brooklyn hints at the strength and elegance she holds. Though, like all art, the album, the title, and Armani are up for interpretation. What is clear, however, is that she deserves the titles she holds.
“It took me two days to record everything that's on there. That was my first time recording since quarantine started because initially, we were supposed to do this back in March when I first got signed but then the world closed down. Once I came out, I was just ready to get back in the studio. I was ready to get to work.”
“I just recorded mad songs and then from there, we just picked from the best ones. It came together super organic because West is kind of just,” pausing to think, “Knowing that I had come from rapping on more uptempo beats Southern beats, he just wanted to see what I was going to do with everything. So he was just tossing a little bit of everything at me just to see what I would do on it.”
And that’s exactly what she did. Songs like “Palm Angels” show off her sexy side while tracks like “Simply Done” featuring Benny the Butcher tap in with her hardcore side. “I never wanted to put myself in a box, and I wanted to be able to show that I can balance well on those rough gritty beats as well as trap beats and just not be intimidated by anything.” Keeping true to herself, the intention behind that album was as simple as the title, showcase the complex nature of a woman named Armani Caesar. “I'm a Gemini I'm already a little multifaceted by nature so, in a sense, it is just being able to tell the story about being every woman. Every woman has a freaky side and every woman has a gangster side, a chill side, a cool side, a dorky side. With my art, I embody all of that, not on purpose but just by being myself. That's my superpower.”
Never forgetting who she is, Armani may run with the boys, but she’s here for the girls. The day we spoke over the phone also happened to be the day of Breonna Taylor’s grand jury verdict, which she and Armani share a birthday. The topic, which was a must-have seeing that Armani supports and pushes women not only with boss ass empowering lyrics but with fashion as the owner of Armani’s Closet boutique. As we all know, the pandemic also came with a surge of civil and racial battles. As a Black woman, entrepreneur, and artist, Armani poured into her community, including the long and undeserving trial and misjudgment of Breonna Taylor.
“I donated to [Breonna Taylor’s] foundation and her family that day. That whole movement of just empowering lack people has been something I've been doing for years just behind the scenes because I feel like it wasn’t about the clout for me,” she declared. “It’s more so about making a difference and leaving a legacy of philanthropy. Making sure I’m an example for not only my peers but the people that look up to me.”
She cites Tupac and Nipsey Hussle as her examples of how to give back to your people. She tells it as it’s who she is, and it’s true. This is what Armani does. “We are one. When it happens to one person, then it’s like it’s happening to us,” and the same could be said for a positive. Like many of the powerful figures of hip-hop and the world before Armani, the goal may not be to change the world but to aid in sparking that one person who will.
“I feel like we live in a new Renaissance where things are changing, not only in the rap game but just in the world period. I feel like out of this time, revolutionaries are born. Millionaires are born. Those way makers are definitely born. I feel like I've stepped up to the plate and actually started moving differently, you know. Treating my people differently, treating my different body and I can only be an example for someone else.”
Understanding of her power, she walks with her head high ready to take on whatever anyone puts in her way. The hustler is in her spirit and nothing is getting in her way.
“I think just moving in greatness and excellence. Being a part of Griselda who is the team that's bringing hip-hop, like that real authentic lyrical hip-hop back to the forefront - that’s definitely changing the world.”
“It’s definitely a movement and it’s a wave, and we got the wave right now.”
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