Cordae

Maryland-based rapper Cordae is praised for his thoughtful narratives and buzzing energy. Starting out as part of the short-lived YBN collective, Cordae first drew attention through the viral singles “My Name Is” and “Old N*ggas,” the first interpolating Eminem’s 1999 breakthrough hit and the second responding to J. Cole’s “1985.” These songs are shining examples of Cordae’s complex lyricism, versatile flows, and sharp technical ability, and he soon followed with original tracks like “Scotty Pippen” and “Kung Fu.” His talent caught the ear of legions of fans as well as earlier generations of rap superstardom. Along with public accolades from 50 Cent, big names like Gucci Mane and Wiz Khalifa showed up for guest spots on YBN: The Mixtape, Cordae’s collaborative 2018 release with YBN Almighty Jay and YBN Nahmir. His major breakthrough came the following year with his Grammy-nominated debut album, The Lost Boy, followed in 2022 by second studio LP From a Birds Eye View. Both albums climbed to the Top 20 of the Billboard chart. He continued charting with the 2023 single “Doomsday” (with Lyrical Lemonade and Juice WRLD).
Cordae was born Cordae Dunston in 1997 and grew up in Suitland, Maryland. He started rapping as a teenager and soon began releasing music under the moniker Entendre, taking cues from influential rap legends like Nas and Talib Kweli. Between 2014 and 2017, he released three mixtapes under the name Entendre, but he didn’t take rap all that seriously until moving to Los Angeles and linking up with friends YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay as part of the YBN (Young Boss N*ggas) collective in the beginning of 2018. Performing as YBN Cordae, he built his reputation throughout the year with original singles like “Fighting Temptations” and an explosive freestyle on the L.A. Leakers interview show that quickly reached millions of listeners. Along with his own tracks and videos, Cordae contributed to collaborative efforts with YBN, as well as performing live, both solo and with the collective.
In 2019, he issued the singles “Bad Idea” with Chance the Rapper and “RNP” with Anderson .Paak. Both tracks landed on his official full-length debut, The Lost Boy. Released that summer, the album featured additional guests Ty Dolla $ign, Pusha T, and Meek Mill. Later that year, Cordae received two Grammy nominations, for Best Rap Album (The Lost Boy) and Best Rap Song (“Bad Idea”). In 2020, he dropped the YBN from his stage name with the abrupt dissolution of the YBN collective. After a scattering of collaborations and the solo single “The Parables,” he returned in 2021 with the EP Just Until...., which featured Q-Tip and Young Thug as guests. Later that year he waxed poetic with Common on the introspective single “What’s Life.” Cordae’s second studio full-length, From a Birds Eye View, was released in January 2022. The album featured appearances from Gunna, Lil Wayne, Eminem, H.E.R., and more, and made it to the number 13 spot on the Billboard chart, just as Cordae’s debut had. The single “Unacceptable” followed in August.
In 2023, Cordae was featured on NF’s “Careful,” and collaborated with Anderson .Paak on the playful single “Two Tens.” Cordae and Juice WRLD were featured on “Doomsday” by the music video company Lyrical Lemonade; the song charted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. The boogie-influenced solo tune “Make Up Your Mind” appeared in August. ~ Fred Thomas