Joclynn Clyburn (born June 5, 1989), known professionally as Armani Caesar, is an American rapper. She is currently signed to
Griselda Records.
Early and personal life
Caesar was born on June 5, 1989, in
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is a Administrative divisions of New York (state), city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and county seat of Erie County, New York, Erie County. It lies in Western New York at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of ...
. She attended the
Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts
The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BAVPA) is a magnet performing arts high school and part of Buffalo, New York's public school system. It serves grades 5-12 and requires students to apply in the field of their desired major con ...
from grades 5 to 12, and attended marketing classes in
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University (NCCU or NC Central) is a Public university, public Historically black colleges and universities, historically black university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by James E. Shepard in affiliati ...
. 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.
She has been a resident of
Charlotte since 2017. In December 2023, she revealed she was pregnant in a photoshoot.
Career
Caesar created her first song in
DJ Shay's recording studio after finding a flier of his.
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. 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
Bill Kahan Kapri (born Dieuson Octave; June 11, 1997), known professionally as Kodak Black, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He gained initial recognition following the release of his 2014 songs " No Flockin" and " Skrt", both of ...
. The album contains production by
Daringer, Camouflage Monk, Denny Laflare and
BeatKing.
''Pitchfork'' rated the album a 7.4. Both album covers were painted by
Isaac Pelayo.
Outside of music, Caesar owns a clothing store, Armani's Closet. She has also written self-help ebooks.
Artistry
Caesar's music has been described as "luxurious".
She cites
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), Those giving 1974 include:
*
*
*
*
* better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper. She was born and raised in New York City and lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after ...
,
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971), also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began her musical career as a member of the Contemporary R&B, R&B girl group 4 All the Sistas Arou ...
and
Trina
Katrina Laverne Kearse (née Taylor; born December 3, 1974), is an American rapper. She rose to prominence in the late 1990s for her collaborations with Trick Daddy on the singles " Nann Nigga", " Shut Up", and " Take It to da House". In 2000, ...
as influences.
Discography
* ''Bath & Body Work'' (2009)
* ''Hand Bag Addict'' (2011)
* ''Caesar's Palace'' (2015)
* ''Pretty Girls Get Played Too'' (2018)
* ''The Liz'' (2020)
* ''The Liz 2'' (2022)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caesar, Armani
1989 births
Living people
Rappers from New York (state)
21st-century American rappers
African-American rappers