Cordae
{{short description|American rapper (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Cordae
| image = YBN Cordae - Openair Frauenfeld 2019 02.jpg
| caption = Cordae performing at Openair Frauenfeld in 2019
| origin = Suitland, Maryland, U.S.
| alias = {{hlist|Entendre|YBN Cordae}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1997|8|26}}[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ybn-cordae-mn0003764768/biography YBN Cordae] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028121832/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ybn-cordae-mn0003764768/biography |date=October 28, 2020 }}. allmusic.com
| birth_place = Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap}}
| occupations = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = {{hlist|Atlantic|Art@War|Hi-Level}}
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
- YBN}}
| partner = Naomi Osaka (2019–2025)
| module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| signature = Cordae sig.svg
}}
}}
Cordae Amari Brooks ({{né}} Dunston; born August 26, 1997), known mononymously as Cordae (formerly YBN Cordae and Entendre), is an American rapper. He began his career as a member of the hip hop collective YBN.{{cite web|last1=McKinney|first1=Jessica|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/ybn-cordae-everything-you-need-to-know/|title=Everything You Need to Know About Cordae|work=Complex|date=July 24, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2019|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230131201/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/ybn-cordae-everything-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}
His 2019 debut studio album, The Lost Boy, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and was met with critical acclaim. At the 62nd Grammy Awards, it was nominated for Best Rap Album, while its single, "Bad Idea", featuring Chance the Rapper, was nominated for Best Rap Song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/ybn-cordae|title=YBN Cordae Grammy Awards History|date=November 19, 2019|website=The Recording Academy|language=en|access-date=November 25, 2019}} After the group disbanded in 2020, he dropped the "YBN" from his stage name. His second studio album, From a Birds Eye View (2022), matched the chart position of his previous, and was met with similar critical reception.
Early life
Brooks was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He lived in nearby Zebulon, until he was 9 years old, when his family moved to Suitland, Maryland, where he was mostly raised.{{cite magazine| last =Lamarre| first =Carl| title =How YBN Cordae Went From Waiting Tables To Hitting the Charts| magazine =Billboard| date =August 9, 2019| url =https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8526639/ybn-cordae-up-next-debut-album-interview| access-date =December 2, 2019| archive-date =April 20, 2021| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20210420055606/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8526639/ybn-cordae-up-next-debut-album-interview| url-status =live}} As a young child, he took an interest in music after his father played classic hip hop artists such as Rakim, Nas, Big L, and Talib Kweli.{{cite web|url=https://pigeonsandplanes.com/interviews/2018/05/ybn-cordae-interview|title=Bridging Rap's Generational Divide: An Interview With YBN Cordae|via=Pigeons & Planes|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125053940/https://pigeonsandplanes.com/interviews/2018/05/ybn-cordae-interview|url-status=live}} He began writing raps around the age of fifteen. As he got older, he researched artists through YouTube, attempting to find music like his father played.{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/AsNTQkKabpo?t=68|title=Open Space: YBN Cordae|via=Mass Appeal|access-date=July 30, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Brooks became more interested in pursuing a rap career as he grew older. He prioritized his studies, but often became distracted by writing lyrics. He graduated from high school in 2015 and decided to attend college at Towson University. He dropped out in 2018, explaining that college was "bigger than him" as a first-generation student, and he was mainly doing it for his mother. He moved to Los Angeles shortly afterward.{{cite web|url=https://www.elevatormag.com/ybn-cordae-is-fully-prepared-for-his-bright-future/|title=YBN CORDAE IS FULLY PREPARED FOR HIS BRIGHT FUTURE|via=Elevator Mag|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230151805/https://www.elevatormag.com/ybn-cordae-is-fully-prepared-for-his-bright-future|url-status=dead}}
Career
=2014–2019: Early beginnings, record deal, and ''The Lost Boy''=
He released three mixtapes as a teenager under the name Entendre: Anxiety (2014), I'm So Anxious (2016), and I'm So Anonymous (2017).{{cite web |date=June 24, 2014 |title=Entendre – Anxiety [Mixtape] |url=http://www.ok-tho.com/2014/06/entendre-anxiety-mixtape.html |access-date=July 30, 2018 |via="OK-THO" Blog |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230151753/http://www.ok-tho.com/2014/06/entendre-anxiety-mixtape.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=August 8, 2016 |title=Entendre – I'm So Anxious (Mixtape) |url=http://musiconthedot.com/entendre-im-anxious-mixtape/ |access-date=July 30, 2018 |newspaper=Music On The Dot |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230151758/https://musiconthedot.com/entendre-im-anxious-mixtape/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=August 9, 2017 |title=I'm so Anonymous |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/im-so-anonymous/1271420541 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |via=iTunes |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817180701/https://music.apple.com/us/album/im-so-anonymous/1271420541 |url-status=live }}
Cordae began taking his rap career seriously in early 2018. When visiting Los Angeles, he hung around YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay, whom he'd met through social media. Nahmir had reached out to Cordae after hearing a song by Brooks, the only member of YBN who hadn't been introduced through video games.{{cite web |title=YBN CORDAE MET NAHMIR AND ALMIGHTY JAY THROUGH XBOX LIVE |url=https://www.elevatormag.com/ybn-cordae-met-nahmir-and-almighty-jay-through-xbox-live/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001735/https://www.elevatormag.com/ybn-cordae-met-nahmir-and-almighty-jay-through-xbox-live/ |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |via=Elevator Mag}}{{cite web |date=May 13, 2018 |title=YBN cordae is easily the best out of the group |url=http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=7780865.18 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |via=kanyetothe.com |archive-date=August 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001712/http://www.kanyetothe.com/forum/index.php?topic=7780865.18 |url-status=live }} Cordae said he already felt like a part of YBN, and so changed from "Entendre" to "YBN Cordae". He also said that Entendre had been a name that he'd wanted to change for while: "I was just always around Nahmir and shit, those were just like my brothers... And, I was thinking, yo, I need to change my shit to like, Cordae, and shit, my actual first name. I was already "YBN" without the social tag".
In May 2018, Cordae released his first single, which he called his "introduction to the world": a remix of the 1999 song "My Name Is" by Eminem. He released the song along with a music video via WorldStarHipHop on YouTube. He then released "Old Niggas" as a response to "1985" by J. Cole, followed by the tracks "Fighting Temptations" and "Kung Fu".{{cite web|url=https://www.z-pov.com/music/2018/5/19/ybn-cordae-the-outspoken-artist-declaring-the-new-generation-of-rap-has-promise|title=YBN Cordae, The Outspoken Artist Declaring The New Generation of Rap Has Promise|via=z-pov.com|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204151704/https://www.z-pov.com/music/2018/5/19/ybn-cordae-the-outspoken-artist-declaring-the-new-generation-of-rap-has-promise|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/05/17/the-10-best-new-rap-songs-right-now|title=The 10 best new rap songs right now|via=The Fader|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808180108/http://www.thefader.com/2018/05/17/the-10-best-new-rap-songs-right-now|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://revolt.tv/stories/2018/07/11/ybn-cordae-releases-track-video-kung-fu-070080e9ff|title=YBN Cordae releases new track and video "Kung Fu"|via=Revolt TV|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814002111/https://revolt.tv/stories/2018/07/11/ybn-cordae-releases-track-video-kung-fu-070080e9ff|url-status=dead}}
In May 2018, Cordae made his debut live performance at the annual Rolling Loud music festival, where he performed with YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay. He performed with the duo again at the 2018 XXL Freshman Show in New York City, after Nahmir was announced as an inductee of the yearly freshman class.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/07/2018-xxl-freshman-show-new-york/|title=HERE'S WHAT WENT DOWN AT THE 2018 XXL FRESHMAN SHOW IN NEW YORK|date=July 16, 2018|via=XXL Magazine|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020215553/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/07/2018-xxl-freshman-show-new-york/|url-status=live}} Brooks was then announced to be joining Juice Wrld on his North American WRLD Domination tour from May to September 2018, along with Lil Mosey and Blake, ended up reaching 28 cities.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/juice-wrld-announces-wrld-domination-tour-dates-news.54241.html|title=Juice WRLD Announces "WRLD Domination" Tour Dates|date=July 4, 2018|via=HotNewHipHop|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814035923/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/juice-wrld-announces-wrld-domination-tour-dates-news.54241.html|url-status=live}}
Soon after, it was announced that the YBN collective would make a month-long tour in Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/07/ybn-nahmir-ybn-almighty-jay-ybn-cordae-european-tour/|title=YBN NAHMIR SHARES DATES FOR EUROPEAN TOUR WITH YBN ALMIGHTY JAY AND YBN CORDAE|date=July 13, 2018|via=XXL Magazine|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917050432/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/07/ybn-nahmir-ybn-almighty-jay-ybn-cordae-european-tour/|url-status=live}} Brooks said he would release singles until his debut project was complete.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ybn-cordae-is-bridging-the-generational-rap-gap-news.55739.html|title=YBN Cordae Is Bridging The Generational Rap Gap|date=July 24, 2018|via=HotNewHipHop|access-date=July 30, 2018}} On August 2, 2018, Nahmir and Cordae released a video for their single "Pain Away".{{cite web|url=https://respect-mag.com/2018/08/ybns-nahmir-cordae-connect-on-pain-away/|title=YBN's Nahmir & Cordae Connect on "Pain Away"|via=Respect Magazine|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802191256/http://respect-mag.com/2018/08/ybns-nahmir-cordae-connect-on-pain-away/|url-status=live}} On August 12, YBN Nahmir announced that an official YBN Mixtape featuring the trio would be released September 7, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/08/ybn-nahmir-ybn-mixtape-release-date/|title=YBN NAHMIR SETS RELEASE DATE FOR YBN MIXTAPE|via=XXL Magazine|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204151742/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/08/ybn-nahmir-ybn-mixtape-release-date/|url-status=live}} Cordae released the music video for his single, "Scotty Pippen", on August 23, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://digitaldripped.com/s/YBN-Cordae-Scotty-Pippen.70666|title=Alaska YBN Cordae|via=Digital Dripped|access-date=August 23, 2018|archive-date=August 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824070149/http://digitaldripped.com/s/YBN-Cordae-Scotty-Pippen.70666|url-status=dead}}
On January 28, 2019, Cordae released a music video for a new song, "Locationships", on his YouTube channel. In March, he released "Have Mercy", the lead single from his debut studio album, The Lost Boy. He was named as one of the members of XXL's "2019 Freshman Class" on June 20.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/06/2019-xxl-freshman-cover/|title=XXL Freshman 2019 Cover Revealed|publisher=XXL|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620235242/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/06/2019-xxl-freshman-cover/|url-status=live}} Cordae released "Bad Idea" and "RNP" as the second and third singles from the album, and finally the album itself on July 26, 2019.{{cite web |date=July 26, 2019 |title=The Lost Boy by YBN Cordae |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-lost-boy/1471022583 |access-date=July 26, 2019 |via=Apple Music |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230131200/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-lost-boy/1471022583 |url-status=live }} The album landed YBN Cordae two nominations at the 62nd Grammy Awards: Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for the single "Bad Idea". In November, YBN Cordae announced that he would be headlining "The Lost Boy in America Tour", which began in January 2020.{{cite news| last =Young| first =Alex| title =YBN Cordae announces 2020 headlining tour| work =Consequence of Sound| date =November 14, 2019| url =https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/11/ybn-cordae-tour/| access-date =December 2, 2019| archive-date =December 3, 2019| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20191203005102/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/11/ybn-cordae-tour/| url-status =live}}
=2020–present: Disbanding of YBN, ''From a Birds Eye View'', and ''The Crossroads''=
On August 6, 2020, YBN Nahmir announced on Twitter that the YBN collective had disbanded after a period of tension during which he and Cordae had stopped communicating.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60792/title.ybn-nahmir-says-cordae-talked-to-him-before-dropping-ybn-from-rap-name|title=YBN Nahmir Says Cordae Talked to Him Before Dropping YBN From Rap Name|first=Devon|last=Jefferson|work=HipHopDX|date=February 25, 2021|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115194016/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60792/title.ybn-nahmir-says-cordae-talked-to-him-before-dropping-ybn-from-rap-name|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=YBN Nahmir Announces YBN Crew's Disbandment|url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/ybn-nahmir-ybn-crew-split-almighty-jay-cordae|access-date=August 13, 2020|website=Hypebeast|date=August 8, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810130621/https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/ybn-nahmir-ybn-crew-split-almighty-jay-cordae|url-status=live}} Cordae subsequently dropped the YBN from his stage name and asked YBN Nahmir for his blessing of the name change.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/cordae-asked-ybn-nahmir-for-his-blessing-before-changing-name-news.141705.html|title=Cordae Asked YBN Nahmir For His Blessing Before Changing Name|work=HotNewHipHop|first=Erika|last=Marie|date=October 27, 2021|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115194009/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/cordae-asked-ybn-nahmir-for-his-blessing-before-changing-name-news.141705.html|url-status=live}} On August 27, Cordae released a new single, "Gifted", featuring Roddy Ricch.{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/cordae/status/1298768574413062146|title=New song drops tomorrow 12 EST #Gifted|number=1298768574413062146|user=Cordae|author=Cordae (confirmed account)|date=August 26, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2020/08/27/cordae-roddy-ricch-gifted/|title=Cordae and Roddy Ricch Connect on 'Gifted'|work=Rap-Up|date=August 27, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112214736/https://www.rap-up.com/article/2020/08/27/cordae-roddy-ricch-gifted|url-status=live}}
On April 22, 2021, Cordae released the EP Just Until..., featuring Q-Tip and Young Thug, in anticipation of his second studio album.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.61725/|title=Cordae Releases 'Just Until....' EP Featuring Q-Tip & Young Thug|website=HipHopDX|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=April 22, 2021|accessdate=May 31, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709203537/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.61725|url-status=live}} On October 7, 2021, he released the single "Super".{{Cite web|date=October 7, 2021|title=Cordae Drops New Single and Music Video "Super"|url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/10/cordae-super-song-music-video|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=Hypebeast|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019024358/https://hypebeast.com/2021/10/cordae-super-song-music-video|url-status=live}}
Cordae released his second studio album, From a Birds Eye View, on January 14, 2022. The 14-song album features Eminem, Stevie Wonder, Gunna, and others.{{cite web |title=Cordae Announces 'From a Bird's Eye View' Release Date |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2021/12/08/cordae-from-a-birds-eye-view-release-date/ |website=Rap-Up |access-date=28 April 2022 |date=December 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121073119/https://www.rap-up.com/2021/12/08/cordae-from-a-birds-eye-view-release-date/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Cordae Reveals 'From a Birds Eye View' Tracklist |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2022/01/10/cordae-from-a-birds-eye-view-tracklist/ |website=Rap-Up |access-date=28 April 2022 |date=January 10, 2022 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128201454/https://www.rap-up.com/2022/01/10/cordae-from-a-birds-eye-view-tracklist/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Brandle |first1=Lars |title=Cordae Lifts Off With 'From a Bird's Eye View': Stream It Now |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/cordae-a-birds-eye-view-album-stream-1235019049/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 April 2022 |date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428203926/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/cordae-a-birds-eye-view-album-stream-1235019049/ |url-status=live }}
File:Cordae at the 2023 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash event.png
Cordae is featured by NF in the song "Careful", is the third song of the album Hope, released on April 7, 2023. This song reached the Billboard Hot 100 for a week and landed on position 85.{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2023-06-13 |title=NF Chart history Billboard hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/nf/chart-history/hsi/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418065001/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nf/chart-history/hsi/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=NF Careful release date |url=https://genius.com/Nf-and-cordae-careful-lyrics/q/release-date |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Genius |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613164709/https://genius.com/Nf-and-cordae-careful-lyrics/q/release-date |url-status=live }}
In July 2023, Cordae performed on the Lyrical Lemonade track "Doomsday" alongside the late rapper Juice Wrld; the song is the first single off the Lyrical Lemonade debut compilation album All Is Yellow (2024).
On November 15, 2024, Cordae released his third studio album, The Crossroads.{{Cite web|last=Horvath|first=Zachary|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/860380-cordae-the-crossroads-stream|title=Cordae Claims The Crossroads Is The One|work=HotNewHipHop|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 19, 2024|archive-date=May 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501181301/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/860380-cordae-the-crossroads-stream|url-status=live}}
Musical style and influences
Cordae lists Nas, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Eminem, Capital Steez, Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Big L, Travis Scott, and Kendrick Lamar as some of his biggest influences.{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/z6dbnZo47l8?t=1338|title=The YBN Cordae Interview|via=YouTube|access-date=July 30, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Shortly after the release of The Lost Boy, he said his five favorite rappers were Jay-Z, Nas, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., and Big L. He has called Nas' album It Was Written a big influence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/ybn-cordae-lists-top-5-rappers|title=YBN Cordae Lists His Top 5 Rappers|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230144810/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/ybn-cordae-lists-top-5-rappers|url-status=live}} He has repeatedly said that, given his musical background and understanding of old school hip-hop and what hip-hop is evolving into, he can be the key in bridging the generational gap in hip-hop.{{cite web|url=https://www.elevatormag.com/ybn-cordae-is-bridging-the-generational-gap-in-hip-hop/|title=CORDAE IS BRIDGING HIP-HOP'S GENERATIONAL GAP|via=Elevator Mag|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230144818/https://www.elevatormag.com/ybn-cordae-is-bridging-the-generational-gap-in-hip-hop|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/05/ybn-cordae-j-cole-1985-response-old-niggas/|title=YBN Cordae Attempts To Bridge Generational Gap In J. Cole Response Track, "Old Ni**as"|date=May 18, 2018|via=Vibe|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209192523/https://www.vibe.com/2018/05/ybn-cordae-j-cole-1985-response-old-niggas|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/a/ybn-cordae-breaks-down-old-n-ggas-on-genius-series-verified|title=YBN Cordae Breaks Down "Old N*ggas" On Genius' Series 'Verified'|via=Genius|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814002012/https://genius.com/a/ybn-cordae-breaks-down-old-n-ggas-on-genius-series-verified|url-status=live}}
Respect Magazine opined in 2018 on Brooks' trajectory as a rapper. "He is a mix of the old and new school, and the deliverance and perception of his music sets himself apart from the new generation of rappers these days. We get a clear glimpse of this in his music videos for "Old N*ggas," 'My Name Is,' and 'Kung Fu,' which all have over 5 million views on YouTube. He is building a solid buzz for himself day by day, and letting the world know his bars and rhymes are ahead of his time. He has yet to drop a project proving such."{{cite web|url=https://respect-mag.com/2018/08/ahead-of-the-game-ybn-cordae/|title=Ahead Of The Game: Cordae|via=Respect Magazine|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807224300/https://respect-mag.com/2018/08/ahead-of-the-game-ybn-cordae/|url-status=live}}
Revolt TV said in 2018, "There's always going to be artists who go against the grain and manage to generate conversation without being mundane or routine. Cordae is the result of perfect timing, a need for change and managing to bridge the gap between aesthetic and talent. He's the Gohan of the YBN collective, appearing docile and juvenile but displaying a 'mastery' over words that seems at odds with old-school "hip-hoppers" belief about his age group. It is yet to be seen if his talent warrants the praise he's receiving."{{cite web|url=https://revolt.tv/stories/2018/05/31/industry-plant-conversation-longer-place-rap-music-070040ea8f|title=The 'industry plant' conversation no longer has a place in rap music|via=Revolt TV|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814002107/https://revolt.tv/stories/2018/05/31/industry-plant-conversation-longer-place-rap-music-070040ea8f|url-status=dead}}
Personal life
Cordae has a tongue thrust.{{Cite web |title=2019 XXL Freshmen Read Mean Comments |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SSCH8N6OPgk&pp=ygUtMjAxOSB4eGwgZnJlc2htYW4gcmVhZCBtZWFuIGNvbW1lbnRzIHJlYWN0aW9u |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=YouTube | date=June 24, 2019 }} Before leaving college, he worked at a local T.G.I. Friday's in Maryland. He told Adam22 on the No Jumper podcast that he "hated" it and that he knew he was destined for more.{{cite web|title=Who is YBN Cordae? The rapper bridging 'old heads' with the new generation|url=https://kulturehub.com/who-is-ybn-cordae/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001752/https://kulturehub.com/who-is-ybn-cordae/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 14, 2018|access-date=July 30, 2018|via=Kulture Hub}}
Cordae participated in a Black Lives Matter protest in 2016, rapping among the crowd about the struggles he faced, and the issues he'd been noticing in his community.{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/8u7jli/ybn_cordae_at_dmv_protests_2_years_ago/|title=YBN Cordae at DMV Protests 2 years ago|date=June 27, 2018|via=Reddit|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726132854/https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/8u7jli/ybn_cordae_at_dmv_protests_2_years_ago/|url-status=live}} In July 2020, Brooks was arrested at a Breonna Taylor protest in Louisville, Kentucky, along with American professional football player Kenny Stills.{{Cite web|title=YBN Cordae and Kenny Stills Among Those Arrested at Breonna Taylor Protest in Louisville|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/07/ybn-cordae-kenny-stills-arrested-breonna-taylor-protest|access-date=July 15, 2020|website=Complex|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230133751/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/07/ybn-cordae-kenny-stills-arrested-breonna-taylor-protest|url-status=live}} He wore a defund the police t-shirt while watching the 2020 US Open women's singles final.
He began dating tennis star Naomi Osaka in 2019, whom he met at a Los Angeles Clippers game.{{cite web|title=YBN Cordae Discusses Girlfriend Naomi Osaka's U.S. Open Success|url=https://www.complex.com/sports/2019/09/ybn-cordae-discusses-girlfriend-naomi-osakas-us-open-success|website=Complex|access-date=September 2, 2019|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902213833/https://www.complex.com/sports/2019/09/ybn-cordae-discusses-girlfriend-naomi-osakas-us-open-success|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Top 5 Photos 8/26: Osaka wishes Cordae a happy birthday |url=http://baseline.tennis.com/article/90278/top-5-photos-wta-atp |website=Baseline Tennis |access-date=September 2, 2020 |date=August 26, 2020 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030082219/http://baseline.tennis.com/article/90278/top-5-photos-wta-atp |url-status=live }} On January 11, 2023, they announced that they are expecting their first child.{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=2023-01-11 |title=Cordae Is Expecting a Baby With Naomi Osaka |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/naomi-osaka-is-pregnant-expecting-child-with-cordae-1235197328/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} On July 7, 2023, the couple welcomed a baby girl.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/naomi-osaka-boyfriend-cordae-welcome-first-baby-daughter-exclusive-7504607|title=Naomi Osaka Welcomes First Baby, a Girl, with Boyfriend Cordae (Exclusive)|work=People|language=EN|date=July 7, 2023|access-date=July 7, 2023}}
In September 2024, Cordae revealed via his Instagram story that he legally changed his last name from Dunston to Brooks.
On January 6, 2025, Naomi Osaka announced she and Cordae were no longer in a relationship. Osaka stated there was "no bad blood" between the two and that Cordae is "a great person and an awesome dad".{{Cite web |date=2025-01-06 |title=Tennis star Naomi Osaka says she and rapper Cordae are no longer in a relationship |url=https://apnews.com/article/naomi-osaka-cordae-australian-open-c1c3f163a2f5d9e3d80c0c2e19033927 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114100019/https://apnews.com/article/naomi-osaka-cordae-australian-open-c1c3f163a2f5d9e3d80c0c2e19033927 |url-status=live }}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Extended plays, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | EP details |
| scope="row"| Just Until...
|
|
|---|
=Mixtapes=
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="5"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certification ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US {{cite tweet|user=billboardcharts|number=1675961637449371648|title=Juice WRLD & @cordae's "Doomsday" debuts at No. 58 on this week's #Hot100.|date=July 3, 2023|access-date=July 4, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" | US
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| CAN
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| IRE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| NZ
|
| scope="row" | "My Name Is"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrUqA4WLqDQ|title=Cordae – "My Name Is" (Eminem Remix)[Official Music Video]|work=YouTube|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228124132/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrUqA4WLqDQ|url-status=live}}
| rowspan="6" | 2018 | — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Old Niggas"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/old-n-s/1387674978|title=Old N****s – Single by Cordae|via=Apple Music|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416174412/https://music.apple.com/us/album/old-n-s/1387674978|url-status=dead}}
| — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Fighting Temptations"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mNFHR6ZOtU|title=Cordae "Fighting Temptations" (WSHH Exclusive – Official Music Video)|work=YouTube|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729180821/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mNFHR6ZOtU|url-status=live}}
| — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Kung Fu"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ayYlhkarU|title=Cordae "Kung Fu" (WSHH Exclusive – Official Music Video)|work=YouTube|date=July 11, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319031521/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ayYlhkarU&index=182&list=PLcK0neBMyFxSpYgDfKCsHRwgxlN-Tnt9D|url-status=live}}
| — || — || — || — || — |
| rowspan="2" | YBN: The Mixtape |
| scope="row" | "Alaska (Scotty Pippen)"{{cite web|last1=Montes|first1=Patrick|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/8/ybn-cordae-scotty-pippen-music-video|title=YBN Cordae Drops Cole Bennett-Directed "Scotty Pippen" Video|work=Hypebeast|date=August 27, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2019}}
| — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "What's Life"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d-az_n6jec|title=Cordae – Whats Life|work=YouTube|date=December 31, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2020}}
| — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Locationships"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/locationships/1450151809|title=Locationships – Single by YBN Cordae|date=January 28, 2019|via=Apple Music|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726202614/https://music.apple.com/us/album/locationships/1450151809|url-status=live}}
| rowspan="4" | 2019 | — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Have Mercy"{{cite web|last=Montes|first=Patrick|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/3/ybn-cordae-have-mercy-stream|title=YBN Cordae Delivers More Hard-Hitting Bars for New Single, "Have Mercy"|work=Hypebeast|date=March 8, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111748/https://hypebeast.com/2019/3/ybn-cordae-have-mercy-stream|url-status=live}}
| — || — || — || — || 32 | | rowspan="3" | The Lost Boy |
| scope="row"| "Bad Idea" (featuring Chance the Rapper){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bad-idea-feat-chance-the-rapper/1468339932|title=Bad Idea (feat. Chance the Rapper) – Single by YBN Cordae|date=June 17, 2019|via=Apple Music|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111745/https://music.apple.com/us/album/bad-idea-feat-chance-the-rapper/1468339932|url-status=live}} | — || — || — || — || 22 | |
| scope="row"| "RNP" (featuring Anderson .Paak){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rnp-feat-anderson-paak/1473606124|title=RNP (feat. Anderson .Paak) – Single by Cordae|via=Apple Music|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726202616/https://music.apple.com/us/album/rnp-feat-anderson-paak/1473606124|url-status=dead}} | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"RNP" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ybn-cordae/chart-history/hbu/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226204509/https://www.billboard.com/music/ybn-cordae/chart-history/hbu|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2019|title=YBN Cordae – Chart history: Bubbling Under Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 7, 2023}}}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"RNP" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, but peaked at number three on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/ybn-cordae/chart-history/bubbling-under-r-b-hip-hop-songs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226204504/https://www.billboard.com/music/ybn-cordae/chart-history/bubbling-under-r-b-hip-hop-songs|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2019|title=YBN Cordae – Chart history: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 26, 2019}}}} || 84 || 92 || 4 | |
| scope="row"| "Gifted" (featuring Roddy Ricch) | rowspan="2" | 2020 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Gifted" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/roddy-ricch/chart-history/hbu/|title=Roddy Ricch – Chart history: Bubbling Under Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 26, 2019}}}} || 37 || 84 || — || 9 | | From a Birds Eye View |
| scope="row"| "The Parables"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gh/album/the-parables-single/1541433671|title=The Parables - Single by Cordae|via=Apple Music|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=January 15, 2022|archive-date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114233315/https://music.apple.com/gh/album/the-parables-single/1541433671|url-status=live}}
| — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Taxes"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gh/album/taxes-from-the-netflix-series-we-the-people-single/1574402149|title=Taxes (from the Netflix Series "We The People") - Single by Cordae|via=Apple Music|date=July 2, 2021|access-date=December 10, 2021|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211192747/https://music.apple.com/gh/album/taxes-from-the-netflix-series-we-the-people-single/1574402149|url-status=live}}
| rowspan="4"| 2021 | — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Killer (Remix)" (with Eminem and Jack Harlow) | 62 || — || 37 || 64 || 2 | |
| scope="row"| "Super"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Super" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 23 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2021-10-23/|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: Week of October 23, 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2021}}}} || — || — || — || 27 | | rowspan="2" | From a Birds Eye View |
| scope="row"| "Sinister" {{small|(featuring Lil Wayne)}} | — || — || — || — || 40 | |
| scope="row"| "Unacceptable" / "So with That"
| rowspan="2" | 2022 | — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Checkmate" {{small|(with Hit-Boy)}} | — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Two Tens" {{small|(featuring Anderson .Paak)}} | rowspan="3"| 2023 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Two Tens" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 25 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2023-02-11/|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: Week of February 11, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207113601/https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2023-02-11/|url-status=live}}}} || — || 74 || — || 8 | | The Crossroads |
| scope="row"| "Curious" (with Eric Bellinger and Fabolous){{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|title=Top 40/Rhythmic Future Releases|publisher=All Access Music Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405091447/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|archive-date=April 5, 2023|access-date=April 7, 2023}} | — || — || — || — || — | |1-800-Hit Eazy: Line 2 |
| scope="row"| "Doomsday" (with Lyrical Lemonade and Juice Wrld) | 58 || 19 || 49 || 83 || 3 | |
| scope="row"| "Saturday Mornings" {{small|(featuring Lil Wayne)}} | rowspan="3"| 2024 | — || 41 || — || — || 37 | | rowspan="3" | The Crossroads |
| scope="row"| "Summer Drop" {{small|(featuring Anderson .Paak)}} | — || — || — || — || 27 | |
| scope="row"| "No Bad News" {{small|(featuring Kanye West)}} | — || — || — || — || 37 | |
| colspan="10" font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
== As featured artist ==
= Other charted songs =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" |Certifications ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/nf/chart-history/hsi/|title=NF – Chart history: Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 20, 2023|archive-date=April 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418065001/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nf/chart-history/hsi/|url-status=live}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| NZ |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Mama / Show Love" (Logic featuring Cordae) | rowspan="2"| 2019 | — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Mama / Show Love" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number six on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.}} || 18 | |
| scope="row"| "Broke as Fuck"
| — || — || 22 | | The Lost Boy |
| scope="row"| "Dream in Color"
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | — || — || 20 | | rowspan="2" | Just Until... |
| scope="row"| "Wassup" (featuring Young Thug) | — || — || 37 | |
| scope="row"| "Today" (featuring Gunna) | rowspan="3"| 2022 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Today" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 11 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2022-01-29/|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: Week of January 29, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 26, 2022}}}} || — || 28 | | rowspan="3" | From a Birds Eye View |
| scope="row"| "Chronicles" (featuring H.E.R. and Lil Durk) | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Chronicles" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number seven on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || 47 || 14 | |
| scope="row"| "Parables (Remix)" (featuring Eminem) | — || — || 31 | |
| scope="row"| "Careful" (NF featuring Cordae) | 2023 | 85 || 29 || 10 | | Hope |
| colspan="7" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
= Guest appearances =
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Cordae}}
{{authority control}}
Category:21st-century African-American male singers
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:21st-century American male rappers
Category:African-American male singer-songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:Atlantic Records artists
Category:Musicians from Prince George's County, Maryland
Category:Rappers from Maryland
Category:Rappers from North Carolina
Category:Singer-songwriters from Maryland