There is a young generation of Argentine artists lucky to have Cazzu paving the way before them. He cleared a path with a steady hand and a generous spirit that feels almost maternal. This artist remains a powerful female reference in the wildly popular urban scene in her homeland, Argentina, an essential piece to understanding the country’s current rise. Alongside stars like Nicky Nicole and Maria Becerra, she stands as a beacon for a generation that is redefining local music.
“I wish the road had been easier, but someone had to clear the land. I’m glad it was me because I imagine more fragile artists in my place. If being the first hurts me, I accept it,” Cazzu shares in her diary. Juliet Emilia Cazzuchelli, at 28 years old, has always aimed to protect upcoming artists. “I have always wanted to shield them in some way. It isn’t easy to come up so quickly. It isn’t easy to stand out among so many male colleagues. It isn’t easy,” she adds.
Breaking the Argentine trap wave in a country rooted in rock and cumbia proved tough. Prejudice hit every pioneer, a movement that found life in public squares and freestyle battles, echoing what happened in Spain years earlier. Parallel scenes wrestled with the need to shout for generations that now intersect and face a grim present as well as a challenging future. “When resources are scarce, creativity intensifies. If this happened in Spain, you would be in a first-world setting. Here we’re third and getting worse,” he notes.
The challenge was even greater for a woman, and Cazzu fought to keep the new wave grounded. “The main goal was to create a safe space for women,” says the artist, who continuously focuses on empowerment through action and dialogue.
Beyond her musical critique, she faced the pressure of being a female artist who challenged established aesthetics. Abundant tattoos mark her body, and she has undergone constant stylistic changes in a bid to stand out. “I was born with a body society accepted, but aesthetically I’ve always liked the strange and extravagant. I’m proud to offer something that isn’t about being cute and beautiful. It is very hard to stay true to oneself in a music world that often favors conformity,” she explains.
From Cumbia to Trap: A Bold Musical Path
Initially, Cazzu explored cumbia, then shifted to reggaeton and later excelled in trap. “The cumbia scene was always a shadowy space. I decided to do the genres I loved, regardless of whether they were popular,” she reveals. Her career gained solid momentum with the 2018 project .Mad, a collaboration with Khea and Duki, two pioneers of Argentina’s urban music. She frequently found herself as the only woman on a track with several artists. “I am patient with anyone who disrespects the stage; I choose to stand strong,” she notes.
Affectionately nicknamed the trap queen by fans, she can be seen as a force that commands respect. The nickname carries a sense of purpose that she embraces. “I was pushing back then so they wouldn’t call me just a side figure. Queens handle big moments and own them, right?” she asks. Her latest album Nena trap includes a track titled Jefa, a perfect summation of Cazzu’s stance: a leader of the block who empowers without fear or sadness, a partner in the music that remains unapologetic and bold.