Cordae Amari Dunston, known mononymously as Cordae, was born on August 26, 1997. He is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.
Cordae earned two Grammy nominations for his 2019 debut album.
Who is Cordae?
Cordae is an American rapper known for his thoughtful lyricism and technical flow. He first drew attention through viral remixes of Eminem’s “My Name Is” and a response track to J. Cole’s “1985” called “Old N—-s.”
Both videos appeared on WorldStarHipHop’s YouTube channel. They sparked an immediate reaction from fans and the wider hip-hop community.
He later became known simply as Cordae after dropping the YBN prefix from his stage name. Critics at outlets including Pitchfork, Complex, and the New York Times have praised his debut album since its 2019 release.
Early Life of Cordae
Cordae was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 26, 1997. He lived in Zebulon, North Carolina, until he was about nine years old.
His family then moved to Suitland, Maryland, where he spent most of his childhood. That move placed him closer to the Washington, D.C. area hip-hop scene that would later shape his sound.
He has credited his father with introducing him to classic hip-hop. Cordae has said his dad played artists including Big L, Talib Kweli, Nas, and Rakim around the house.
He has a brother named Simba, also a rapper. The two have collaborated on music together and share a close relationship.
Cordae Age
Cordae is 28 years old as of 2026, born on August 26, 1997. His zodiac sign is Virgo.
He began rapping seriously around age 15. Within a few years, that early interest turned into a recording career that led to national recognition before he turned 22.
Cordae Ethnicity and Nationality
Cordae holds American nationality. He was born in North Carolina and spent most of his upbringing in Maryland.
His ethnic background is African American. That heritage runs through his music, which frequently draws on classic hip-hop traditions rooted in Black American culture.
He has spoken about his Maryland roots throughout his career, often referencing his hometown area in interviews and lyrics.
His 2026 collaboration with fellow Maryland native IDK, titled “Prince George,” pays direct homage to that shared background.
Cordae Height and Weight
Cordae stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches, or about 1.75 meters. His exact current weight is not publicly confirmed.
He has black hair and black eyes. He maintains a lean build that suits his energetic stage presence during live performances.
Cordae Musical Style and Influences
Cordae blends hip-hop with elements of trap production, often layering introspective lyrics over sharp, technical flows. His sound draws heavily from artists his father introduced him to as a child, including Nas and Rakim.
He has cited J. Cole and Eminem as direct influences on his early work. Both artists appeared, in different ways, in the viral remixes that launched his career.
His music often explores personal growth and social themes. That approach has earned him comparisons to lyric-driven predecessors in the genre.
Cordae Education
Cordae completed high school in 2015. He then enrolled at Towson University in Maryland.
He left Towson in 2018 to focus fully on his rap career. That decision came shortly before he joined the hip-hop collective YBN and released his breakout material.
Cordae Career
Early Career
Cordae began recording under the name Entendre as a teenager. He released three mixtapes during this period: Anxiety in 2014, I’m So Anxious in 2016, and I’m So Anonymous in 2017.
In early 2018, he traveled to Los Angeles and connected with YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay, both of whom he had met online. That trip led to him joining the YBN collective and adopting the name YBN Cordae.
Breakthrough with The Lost Boy
Cordae’s remixes of “My Name Is” and “Old N—-s” built rapid momentum heading into his solo debut. His 2019 album The Lost Boy peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and featured guests including Chance the Rapper, Anderson. Paak, Pusha T, and Meek Mill.
The album earned two nominations at the 62nd Grammy Awards, for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for the single “Bad Idea.” Following the release, Cordae launched his first headlining tour, The Lost Boy in America Tour, in January 2020.
When the YBN collective disbanded in August 2020, Cordae dropped the prefix from his name. He continued releasing music independently, including the 2021 EP Just Until…, featuring Q-Tip and Young Thug.
Recent Work
Cordae released his second studio album, From a Birds Eye View, in January 2022. The record matched his debut’s chart position and featured guest appearances from Eminem, H.E.R., Gunna, and Stevie Wonder.
In January 2023, he released the collaborative single “Two Tens” with Anderson.Paak. He also appeared on NF’s 2023 song “Careful” and collaborated with Eric Bellinger and Fabolous on “Curious.”
Cordae released his third studio album, The Crossroads, in November 2024. The project underperformed commercially but received positive reviews from critics.
In 2025, he collaborated with rapper IDK on the single “Prince George,” a track honoring their shared Maryland roots that was filmed in Rome.
Cordae Discography
Cordae’s studio albums include:
The Lost Boy (2019)
From a Birds Eye View (2022)
The Crossroads (2024)
Cordae Awards and Recognition
He earned two nominations at the 62nd Grammy Awards for The Lost Boy, for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. He was also named to XXL’s 2019 Freshman Class list that same year.
His single “Bad Idea,” featuring Chance the Rapper, later received an Album of the Year nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards as part of a separate credited project. These nominations placed him among the most recognized new rap artists of his generation.
Cordae Girlfriend
Cordae was previously in a relationship with professional tennis player Naomi Osaka. The two began dating in 2019 after meeting at a Los Angeles Clippers game.
They welcomed a daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Cordae announced the baby’s name during a performance at Canada’s Calgary Stampede that same month.
Osaka confirmed the couple’s breakup in January 2025 through an Instagram post. She described Cordae as “a great person and an awesome dad,” adding that there was no bad blood between them.
Cordae Children
Cordae has one child, a daughter named Shai, born in July 2023 with former partner Naomi Osaka. The two continue to co-parent following their 2025 breakup.
Cordae Net Worth
Cordae’s estimated net worth is $7 million as of 2026. His income comes mainly from music sales, touring, and brand collaborations.
His two Grammy-nominated albums, The Lost Boy and From a Birds Eye View, remain central to his earnings. Guest features on tracks by artists including Nas, Stevie Wonder, and NF have added further income streams.
Touring revenue also plays a role in his finances, dating back to his first headlining run in 2020. His ongoing collaborations, including his 2025 single with IDK, continue to support his music career.
Cordae Social Media
He maintains an active presence on Instagram, where he shares updates on new music and performances. His following grew significantly after his 2019 Grammy nominations.
He is also active on YouTube, where his early remix videos first drew widespread attention. He continues to release official music videos and behind-the-scenes content through the platform.
The Bottom Line
Cordae earned two Grammy nominations for his 2019 debut album, The Lost Boy, which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200. He followed it with From a Birds Eye View in 2022 and The Crossroads in 2024.
Cordae grew up in Suitland, Maryland, after moving from Raleigh, North Carolina, as a child, drawing his early sound from classic hip-hop his father played at home. He left Towson University in 2018 to focus fully on music.
He continues releasing new material, including his 2025 single “Prince George” with fellow Maryland rapper IDK. We hope you enjoyed reading about Cordae. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!