YBN Cordae's much-anticipated debut album,"The Lost Boy," is scheduled to be released July 26.
But Cordae, dressed in lightly bleached braids and a military-style vest, was as preternaturally friendly and chill as if he were ordering brunch. Though he came up in a crew of video gamers and MCs , Cordae is the one that everyone from Dr. Dre to H.E.R. is looking to for the genre’s future. The peaks and valleys of his upbringing — including a stint at Maryland’s Towson College and working as a chain-restaurant waiter — gave him a range of perspectives on getting by.
YBN Crew co-founders Nahmir and Almighty Jay first met in 2014 via the online-multiplayer version of “Grand Theft Auto.” Cordae linked up with them on Instagram in 2017, as Nahmir’s “Rubbin’ Off the Paint” went viral and eventually hit No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the summer of 2018, Cordae moved to L.A. and the crew’s ambitions took on a new intensity.
In a world where R. Kelly is an alleged serial predator and Kanye West wears a MAGA hat, who can blame him? But Cordae’s study of craft and history is indebted to heroes including Cole and Jay-Z as well. “ ’Cause we came from the same struggle like Diddy and Dame / Russell was teaching and gained hustle, got rich, remained subtle.”
YbnCordae Hard work paying off
Hope his rap is worthy. I know a lot of folks including myself who survived 12 years of catholic school, life in the ghetto, zero funds, zero jobs. Rap music sux these days so good luck