The unexpected collaboration between West Philadelphia rapper Armani White and pop icon Billie Eilish represents one of the most remarkable stories in recent music history, beginning with a viral TikTok hit and culminating in an unforgettable live performance that captivated audiences worldwide.
The Birth of a Viral Phenomenon
Enoch Armani Tolbert, known professionally as Armani White, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born September 25, 1996. The Philadelphia-based artist began rapping in second grade and developed his craft throughout his childhood, surrounded by a musical family that nurtured his passion.
White’s breakthrough came with his 2022 single “Billie Eilish,” which originated from an unexpected moment of inspiration. The rapper explained that he was browsing social media when he came across a tweet that read, “I’m not a fan of Billie Eilish, but I love her because she dresses like the franchise boys.” This observation sparked the creative process that would transform his career.
The song references Billie Eilish’s signature oversized clothing style, particularly her baggy t-shirts and unique fashion aesthetic. The track peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned a remix featuring rappers Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and N.O.R.E.
TikTok Success and Cultural Impact
The song “Billie Eilish” became a massive TikTok sensation, with more than one million videos created by users featuring the track. The viral nature of the song demonstrated the power of social media in amplifying music and creating cultural moments that transcend traditional marketing strategies.
Armani White’s career trajectory changed dramatically after the song’s release. He went from never having a post reach one million views to having over one million posts featuring his music on various platforms. The track’s success led to significant industry recognition and opportunities.
Billie Eilish’s Response and Approval
A crucial moment in the song’s journey came when Billie Eilish herself cleared the usage of her name, allowing the track to be officially released. White described Eilish reposting a snippet of the song before its release as a “monumental moment” that brought him to tears because he initially thought the song would never come out.
Eilish’s approval of the song demonstrated her appreciation for White’s artistic interpretation of her style and persona. The pop star’s endorsement provided legitimacy and momentum for the track’s continued success.
Record Deal and Industry Recognition
Following the success of “Billie Eilish,” White was signed to Def Jam Recordings, marking a significant milestone in his career. When discussing his collaboration with Def Jam Records, White shared that he felt “blessed” to work with people who believe in him and understand both the culture and his artistic vision.
The song achieved impressive certifications, becoming gold-certified in America and Poland, Platinum in Canada, and quadruple Platinum in Australia. These achievements solidified White’s position as a rising force in hip-hop.
The Historic Osheaga Performance
The most memorable moment in the Armani White and Billie Eilish story occurred at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival in August 2023, when Eilish brought White on stage during her headlining performance.
During her set, Eilish posed a question to the audience: “You know that song that’s like, ‘Glock tucked, big t-shirt, Billie Eilish’?” The crowd erupted as the instrumental of White’s song began playing, and White himself appeared on stage to perform his viral hit.
The performance was electric, with Eilish serving as White’s enthusiastic hype person, jumping around the stage and celebrating during every name-drop. The collaboration showcased genuine mutual respect and appreciation between the two artists.
According to reports, this performance marked the first time the pair had actually met in person, making the moment even more special for both artists and the audience of 40,000 festival-goers.
Armani White’s Musical Evolution
White describes his musical style as “happy hood music,” combining dexterous flows with dense introspection and spurts of impassioned melodies. The artist delivers what he calls a colorful but poignant soundtrack for survivors.
White’s musical journey has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. In 2016, his father Lee Tolbert was diagnosed with prostate cancer and died the same year. Additionally, in 2019, White and his brother were arrested for arson after a house fire erupted in their Philadelphia home, though the charges were later dropped.
These experiences influenced his 2021 EP “Things We Lost In The Fire,” which addressed personal tragedy with unflinching transparency and served as a prelude to his breakthrough success with “Billie Eilish.”
Latest Developments and Future Projects
In March 2025, Armani White released his latest single “Cut The Lights,” marking his first release of the year and kickstarting his next musical phase. The track was initially teased at the NFC Championship game where the Philadelphia Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl.
After accumulating over 9.2 billion streams throughout his career, White continues to evolve as an artist. His previous release “TTSO” in 2024 followed his successful “Road to CASABLANCO” EP, which helped push him further into mainstream recognition.
White has achieved significant recognition beyond music, becoming a U.S. Global Music Ambassador as part of a diplomacy program run by the U.S. Department of State in 2024. He also performed his first NFL halftime show on January 26, 2025, during the NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders.
Billie Eilish’s Continued Success
While White was building on his viral success, Billie Eilish continued her own remarkable journey. Her third studio album “Hit Me Hard and Soft” was released on May 17, 2024, and achieved massive commercial success.
The album marked several milestones for Eilish, including her largest first-week units in the US with 339,000 equivalent album units and highest pure sales. Notably, 90,000 units of the first-week sales were vinyl, demonstrating her continued appeal across different formats.
All ten songs from “Hit Me Hard and Soft” debuted in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing the album’s comprehensive appeal. The album was certified double Platinum by the RIAA on March 14, 2025, for moving two million album-equivalent units in the US.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The connection between Armani White and Billie Eilish represents more than just a musical collaboration; it demonstrates the power of authentic artistic expression and mutual respect across genre boundaries. White has expressed his admiration for Eilish’s ability to be an “anomaly” in her genre, stating his aspiration to achieve similar uniqueness in hip-hop.
Their collaboration has inspired countless other artists and fans, showing how viral moments can transform into lasting artistic relationships and meaningful cultural exchanges.
Industry Recognition and Awards
White has received significant industry recognition, delivering showstopping performances at prestigious events including the BET Hip Hop Awards, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, MTV EMAS, Dick Clark’s NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE, and the Streamy Awards. BET christened him a “BET Amplified Artist,” and MTV recognized him as a Global PUSH artist.
The success of both artists continues to influence the music industry, demonstrating how authentic artistic expression and cross-genre collaboration can create lasting impact and commercial success.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Armani White come up with the “Billie Eilish” song?
Armani White created the song after seeing a tweet while browsing social media that read, “I’m not a fan of Billie Eilish, but I love her because she dresses like the franchise boys.” This observation inspired him to develop the cadence and concept around Billie Eilish’s distinctive fashion style.
Did Billie Eilish approve of Armani White using her name?
Yes, Billie Eilish cleared the usage of her name for the song, which was crucial for its official release. White described her approval and reposting of a snippet as a “monumental moment” that brought him to tears.
When did Armani White and Billie Eilish perform together?
They performed together at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival in August 2023, where Billie Eilish brought Armani White on stage during her headlining set to perform his viral hit “Billie Eilish” for a crowd of 40,000 people.
What record label is Armani White signed to?
Armani White is signed to Def Jam Recordings, a deal he secured following the success of his viral hit “Billie Eilish.”
What is Armani White’s latest release?
Armani White’s latest release is “Cut The Lights,” which came out in March 2025 as his first single of the year, marking the beginning of his next musical phase.
How successful was the “Billie Eilish” song commercially?
The song peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved gold certification in America and Poland, Platinum in Canada, and quadruple Platinum in Australia. It also spawned a remix featuring Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and N.O.R.E.