CORDAE BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Cordae is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his thoughtful lyricism and classic approach to modern hip-hop. Born Cordae Amari West Brooks on August 26, 1997, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and raised in Suitland, Maryland, he broke through in 2018 with a run of viral remixes, including his response to J. Cole's "1985," which earned him a public co-sign from Dr. Dre.

His debut studio album, The Lost Boy, arrived on July 26, 2019, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and earned him Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and for Best Rap Song with "Bad Idea" featuring Chance the Rapper. In 2026, he teamed up with Anderson .Paak for the joint album Heavy Is the Crown, released October 23, 2026, on APESHIT / Mass Appeal / EMPIRE with the lead single "A Good Day." Read the Anderson .Paak biography for more on his collaborator.

Cordae Quick Facts

Full Name: Cordae Amari West Brooks (born Cordae Amari Dunston)
Born: August 26, 1997 (age 29)
Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter
Years Active: 2014-present
Breakthrough: 2018 viral remixes; 2019 XXL Freshman
Awards: Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song ("Bad Idea")

Early Life

Cordae was born Cordae Amari Dunston on August 26, 1997, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was raised in Suitland, Maryland. He began pursuing music as a teenager in the Washington, D.C. area, writing and recording for years before his 2018 breakthrough brought him national attention.

Career

Cordae began releasing music in 2014 and spent his early years as a member of the YBN collective, performing as YBN Cordae (also credited as YBN Entendre). His career turned a corner in 2018 when his remixes of popular songs went viral, most notably his response to J. Cole's "1985," which drew public praise from Dr. Dre. The following year, he was named to the 2019 XXL Freshman class. For more on the rapper he famously answered, see the J. Cole biography.

Signed to Atlantic Records alongside Art@War and Hi-Level, Cordae released his debut album The Lost Boy on July 26, 2019. It debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and earned two Grammy nominations: Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for "Bad Idea" featuring Chance the Rapper. He followed it with From a Birds Eye View (2022) and The Crossroads (November 2024).

In 2026, Cordae and Anderson .Paak released the joint album Heavy Is the Crown album by Anderson .Paak & Cordae on October 23, 2026, via APESHIT, Mass Appeal, and EMPIRE, with "A Good Day" as the lead single. Fans can also check out the I'm On lyrics by Anderson .Paak & Cordae, another collaboration between the two.

Personal Life

Cordae was in a relationship with tennis star Naomi Osaka from 2019 to 2025. The couple welcomed their daughter, Shai, in July 2023. He generally keeps his private life out of the spotlight.

Watch the Official Audio

Watch the official audio of "Have Mercy," the lead single from The Lost Boy, below:

Recent Work (2026)

"Heavy Is The Crown", his joint album with Anderson .Paak (released 23 October 2026), debuted at No. 10 on the HITS Top 50 chart dated 30 October with 30,290 first-week activity - the week's biggest debut. The duo closed out their multi-city pop-up shop tour in New York City with a live performance of lead single "A Good Day".

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cordae's real name?
His full name is Cordae Amari West Brooks; he was born Cordae Amari Dunston.

How old is Cordae?
He was born on August 26, 1997, which makes him 29 years old.

What is Cordae's most successful album?
His debut album, The Lost Boy (2019), peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and earned him Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and for Best Rap Song with "Bad Idea."

What is Heavy Is the Crown?
Heavy Is the Crown is Cordae's 2026 joint album with Anderson .Paak, released on October 23, 2026, on APESHIT / Mass Appeal / EMPIRE, with "A Good Day" as the lead single.