Cordae
An American rapper who bridged hip-hop generations with thoughtful lyricism, earning Grammy nods and respect from rap's old guard.
Born 1997 (age 29)·American rapper·Birthday: August 26·Generation Z
Biography
Cordae emerged from the online collective YBN, but his ambition always stretched beyond digital fame. He announced his serious intent with the 2019 track 'Old Niggas,' a nuanced response to criticisms from established artists, which showcased a maturity rare for a newcomer. His debut album, 'The Lost Boy,' was a critical triumph, a cohesive project that blended soulful production with introspective storytelling about family, legacy, and his journey. The album earned him two Grammy nominations, instantly validating his place as part of hip-hop's new thoughtful vanguard. While his early affiliations linked him to a wave of internet-born rappers, Cordae's music consciously reaches for the timeless, drawing comparisons to greats who valued narrative and flow over fleeting trends. He represents a modern artist with a classicist's heart.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Cordae was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cordae Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Cordae's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received two Grammy Award nominations in 2020 for Best Rap Album ('The Lost Boy') and Best Rap Song ('Bad Idea').
- Founded his own record label, Hi-Level Productions, following his departure from the YBN collective.
- Performed at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, highlighting his cultural influence beyond music.
Did You Know?
He is an avid chess player and has participated in charity chess tournaments with other celebrities.
He changed his stage name from YBN Cordae to simply Cordae to mark a new chapter in his career.
He attended Towson University on a scholarship before leaving to pursue music full-time.
“I'm just trying to make music that's gonna last forever, you know? Not just for right now.”
