Page 22 - The Culture Report

The Culture Report

The Year of YBN

If you haven’t heard of YBN Corde, it’s not too late to get on board. YBN Cordae is back with a track
he dropped on the last day of 2018, saluting his banner year. The North Carolina-born rapper says,
“I’m just getting started,” in a recent sit
down with Complex.

Part of the YBN collective, YBN Cordae
first drew attention through viral singles
My Name Is, the first reinterpolating of
Eminem's 1999 breakthrough hit. The
song was a shining example of Cordae's
complex lyricism, versatile flows, and
sharp technical ability, and he soon
followed with original tracks like "Scotty
Pippen" and "Kung Fu."

The online rap community really took
notice when YBN fired back in a response
to J Cole’s 1985 with his track “Old
N*ggas.”

While some might have expected a
clapback from the younger rapper,
Cordae's message is actually a rather
sound one as he tries to bridge the gap that
continues to grow between the styles of
the new and old generations of the genre. He spits over the "1985" boom bap style instrumental, "I
understand both sides, let me break it in half," and says how when rap first started to blossom back in
the day, it was met with the same criticism that this newer style is met with today.

His talent caught the ear of legions of fans as well as earlier generations of rap superstardom. Along
with public accolades from 50 Cent, big names like Gucci Mane and Wiz Khalifa showed up for guest
spots on YBN: The Mixtape, Cordae's collaborative 2018 mixtape with YBN Almighty Jay and YBN
Nahmir.
Dr. Dre has taken a genuine interest in playing mentor for the young lyricist. We've already heard
reports of a "sixteen-hour-studio session" with the Good Doctor, but now, Cordae has opened up about
his relationship with the legendary figure.

"I love working with him because it's like going through basketball drills," Cordae tells Billboard. "I
felt myself getting better by the hour. [Dr. Dre's] working with me on this solo project. That's a mentor
of mine. He had all his Grammy plaques and I've never seen one in person before which was
motivational."

ANB House of Royalty Publications