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We’re counting down the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, and taking No. 4 is Drake. The rapper has topped Billboard’s charts numerous amount of times. Keep watching to see how he dominated the Hot 100, Billboard 200 and so much more! Tetris Kelly: With 13 Billboard Hot 100 No.1’s, 13 No.1 on […]
Cordae’s latest project, The Crossroads, marks what he might describe as the most refined version of himself as an artist. In an exclusive interview with Billboard News, Cordae deep-dives into why this album — which comes out on Friday — feels like his strongest work yet.
Cordae is clear on why now is the right time to drop this album. “I think it’s ready. I think I’m better than I’ve ever been as an artist,” he says.
He spent time focusing on his craft and drawing inspiration from life to make sure he was putting his best foot forward. “I feel like I needed that time to just live life, assess life,” he says. “This album in particular, I needed to get better.”
For Cordae, growth has been about everything from beat selection to songwriting. “I wanted to get better, like, as a songwriter, as a rapper. I wanted my verses to be better. I wanted my storytelling to be better. I wanted my beat selection and taste in beat selection to get better, and that requires work and time, so I feel like this is my best foot forward thus far.”
The album title, The Crossroads, speaks to a turning point that he felt he reached. “I felt like I was at a crossroads in my life,” he says, describing a period when every decision felt high-stakes. “It was like life or death. … If I go right, everything is gonna be perfect and yay, life is great, and if I go left, all life is horrible.” Over time, he’s learned that life is rarely shaped by a single choice. “I’ve kinda realized that one decision doesn’t hold that much weight. It’s a culmination of decisions.”
Cordae also reflects on his journey with J. Cole, a major influence. After rapping over J. Cole’s “1985” beat and calling it “Old N—as,” the track went viral when WorldStarHipHop labeled it as a response to J. Cole’s original. That music video caught Cole’s attention, eventually leading to their collaboration. “That’s what ended up getting me the beats and us locking in,” he says.
Cordae credits the recent Drake and Kendrick Lamar rivalry for energizing hip-hop’s competitive edge. “It was great for hip-hop,” he says. “The competitive nature is kind of the fundamentals of hip-hop, like, ‘Nah, I’m nicer than you, son.’” The rivalry, he adds, energized the culture. “It kind of just put a battery in everyone’s back, like, nah, we can just say how we feel — even if it’s like, ‘F— this guy.’”
Watch the full interview with Cordae in the video above.
KATSEYE had the perfect “Touch” which helped them be named as Billboard’s new Chartbreaker. Keep watching to see the girls talk about what the title means to them, the meaning of “Touch” and what’s to come with their music! Manon: It is unbelievable. We honestly did not expect that, plus we kind of did, but […]
Doja Cat posts her possible track list, Young Thug is seen in the studio and Cordae reveals his features on The Crossroads. Keep watching to see the latest on Hip Hop music! Tetris Kelly:It looks like we can expect some new tunes from Young Thug, Cordae and Doja Cat. In a now-deleted tweet, rapper-singer Doja […]
Cordae discusses his personal growth on new album The Crossroads, his collaboration with Lil Wayne, his dynamic with J. Cole and Anderson .Paak, the impact of the Drake and Kendrick rivalry on hip-hop culture, balancing fatherhood with his career and more!
Catrise J:Hey everyone, it’s your girl, Catrise J and we are here with Cordae.
Cordae:What’s up?
We’re here to talk about your new album, The Crossroads.
Yep.
Very, very excited for you. It’s been, what, two years?
Two and some change.
So why is it time for you to drop this album? Why do you feel ready?
Because I think it’s ready. I think I’m better than I’ve ever been as an artist. Like, I feel like I needed that time to just live life, assess life. This album in particular, I needed to get better. I wanted to get better, like, as a songwriter, as a rapper, I wanted my verses to be better. I wanted my storytelling to be better. I wanted my beat selection and taste in beat selection to get better and that requires, like, work and time, you know, so I feel like this is my best foot forward thus far.
So why the title The Crossroads?
Because I felt like I was at a crossroads in my life, and just so many avenues at the time, right? I felt like it was like life or death. Felt like, literally, my next decision. If I go right, everything is gonna be perfect and yay, life is great, and if I go left, all life is horrible. I’ve kinda realized that one decision doesn’t hold that much weight. It’s a culmination of decisions.
Keep watching for more!
Jung Kook brought his sparkling talent to his ‘GOLDEN: The Moments’ Exhibition, where fans can walk through the golden moments that helped shape his career. Keep watching for an exclusive look inside! Tetris Kelly: Holy Jung Kook! Guest 1: Um, I just like to look at him. Tetris Kelly: Hey, what’s up? It’s Tetris with […]
K-pop has been shaking up the music industry for the last decade-plus, but which artists have made their way to the Billboard Hot 100? From BTS to PSY and so many more, keep watching to find out who blasted their way onto the chart. Who is your favorite K-pop artist? Let us know in the […]
Tyla pulled up to the MTV EMA’s in an Aaliyah-inspired dress and took home three wins. Keep watching to see her performance and more! Tetris Kelly:Tyla showed up and showed out at the EMAs in Manchester, England, last night. Hitting the red carpet dressed in a look inspired by R&B legend Aaliyah’s early 2000s VMA […]
Shaboozey makes history on the Billboard Hot 100. Tetris Kelly: History is made on the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 for the week dated November 16. Another Tyler track cracks the top 10. Morgan Wallen slips a spot to nine, and Benson is back in the top 10. “Taste” is up to No. 7. Post […]
After nearly 24 years in the music industry as both a soloist and member of supergroup Swedish House Mafia, Steve Angello has seen it all — superstar collaborations, Billboard chart hits, and some of the biggest festival stages in the world — and he shows no signs of slowing down. The DJ-producer released his latest […]