Dunston gained popularity by releasing remixes of popular songs, such as "My Name Is" by Eminem, and "Old N***as" which was a response to the song "1985" by J. Cole. Videos to both remixes were uploaded to the WorldStarHipHop's YouTube channel, which led to an immense and immediate positive response from both mainstream media and the online rap community. His debut studio album, The Lost Boy was released on July 26, 2019 and received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards. Cordae was a member of the YBN collective from 2018 until the group disbanded in 2020.
Dunston was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, but moved to Suitland, Maryland. As a young child, he'd taken an interest in music as his father would always play classic hip hop around him, from artists such as Rakim, Nas, Big L, and Talib Kweli. He began writing raps around the age of fifteen, but did not take it seriously, as it was only a hobby for him. Following the influence he gained from the music his father listened to, he would do research on certain artists through YouTube, attempting to find similar music and "getting lost" in the recommended videos section. Dunston began gaining more interest in pursuing a rap career as he aged, but focused on his education first, although writing lyrics often distracted him from his studies. He released three mixtapes as a teenager under the name "Entendre" – Anxiety (2014), I’m So Anxious (2016), and I’m So Anonymous (2017). He graduated from high school in 2015 and decided to go to college at Towson University, later dropping out in 2018, explaining that college was "bigger than him" as a first-generation student, and he was mainly doing it for his mother. He moved to Los Angeles shortly afterward.
Dunston began taking his rap career seriously in the beginning of 2018. Although he hadn't been releasing any music with them, he'd often hang around YBN Nahmir and Almighty Jay when visiting Los Angeles, whom he'd initially met through social media. Nahmir had taken interest in a song that Dunston had made with fellow rapper and brother Simba, and reached out to him. Dunston is the only member of YBN that hadn't been introduced to everyone as a gamer, as he doesn't take gaming too seriously. He already felt like he was a part of YBN, the only thing that hadn't solidified his presence being his social media handles, which he soon changed from Entendre to YBN Cordae. He also stated that Entendre had been a name that he'd wanted to change for while, stating "I was just always around Nahmir and shit, those were just like my brothers... And, I was thinking, yo, I need to change my shit to like, Cordae, and shit, my actual first name. I was already "YBN" without the social tag, you know what I'm saying?" He released his first single, which he called his "introduction to the world", in May 2018. It was a remix of the 1999 song "My Name Is" by Eminem, which he released along with a music video via WorldStarHipHop on YouTube. Subsequently, he released "Old N***as", as a response to "1985" by J. Cole, then released the tracks Fighting Temptations and Kung Fu, respectively.
His debut live performance was at the annual Rolling Loud music festival in May 2018, in which he performed with both YBN Nahmir and Almighty Jay. He performed with the duo again for the 2018 XXL Freshman Show in New York City, after Nahmir was announced to be an inductee of the yearly freshman class. Dunston was then announced to be joining Juice WRLD on his North American WRLD Domination tour from May to September 2018, along with Lil Mosey and Blake, ended up reaching 28 cities. Soon after, it was announced that YBN would be going on a month-long tour in Europe as a collective. Dunston then said he would release multiple singles up until his debut project is complete. On August 2, 2018, both Nahmir and Cordae released a video for their single "Pain Away". On August 12, YBN Nahmir announced that an official YBN Mixtape, featuring the trio, would be released September 7, 2018. He released the music video for his single, "Scotty Pippen", on August 23, 2018.
On January 28, 2019, Cordae released a music video for a new song titled, "Locationships" on his YouTube channel before releasing another song titled, "Have Mercy" in March 2019, with the latter song becoming the lead single from his debut studio album, The Lost Boy. He was later named as one of the members of XXL's "2019 Freshman Class" on June 20, 2019.[26] Cordae later released "Bad Idea" and "RNP" as the second and third singles from the album respectively. The Lost Boy was released on July 26, 2019. The album landed YBN Cordae two nominations at the 62nd Grammy Awards; Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for the single "Bad Idea". In November 2019, Cordae announced that he would be headlining "The Lost Boy in America Tour", which began in January 2020.
On August 6, 2020, YBN Nahmir took to Twitter to announce that the YBN collective officially disbanded. Cordae subsequently dropped the YBN from his stage name. On August 27, Cordae released a new single, "Gifted", featuring Roddy Ricch, marking Cordae's first release of 2020. Cordae has been currently working on his second album. During an interview with Apple Music, he stated, "I'm like a hundred songs deep in. Like this next one, I'm really taking everything to a whole 'nother level. I really love doing music and perfecting my craft and I'm getting better every day. And the new music from here on out is going to show that"
Lost & Found
Cordae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yuh, yuh, uh, huh
Yeah, I was a lost boy, now I'm found
Niggas switched up, they can't come around
To these rap niggas biting my sound
Shout out my bitch for holdin' it down
I had to switch up my lifestyle
Momma always told me I was a bright child
Naked pictures saved on my iCloud
My goodness, my God, my gracious
Got a bad little bitch, my favorite
And I eat the pussy like it's caviar
Nigga I ain't talkin' bout that playlist
Most necessary, cold February
Flow never bury, shit is everlastin'
Opportunity is never passin'
Was just in school, skippin' hella classes
New whip hit the pedal thrashin'
Grew up where I heard the metal blastin'
I know that greed is the Devil's passion
Wears Prada and Stilleto fashion
Gucci has become the ghetto fashion
I am just another rebel rappin'
But that studio time led to Louis Vitton, that I just bought for my mom
Celebration, mix Ciroc and a lime
Rest in peace X, the Pac of his time
Was manifested, can't stop the divine
Nigga speakin' like Barack in his prime
But I'm Bill Clinton with the ill writtens, make the real listen
Seen Monica Lewinsky in the Hills strippin'
I was late, call me Mike Jones 'cause I'm still tippin'
Call up Scotty with the shotty, 'cause I feel Pippen
I'm a real Fresh Prince, Uncle Phil, listen
And tell Will Smith how I kill shit
And to please adopt a young nigga, man I'm tryna get real rich
Nah I'm playin', shoutout to Jaden
So iconic how I go Super Saiyan
New bitch foreign, straight from the Himalayans
On top soon, Lord knows I been prayin'
'Cause I'm on my grind, watch how I kickflip
Money notorious, I'm buyin' big shit
God is so glorious, bless me with riches
I was just broke, now I'm a rich kid
Gas what I smoke, that shit is vicious
Give me that throat, say it's delicious
Rappers is jokes, I'm a musician
Rappers is jokes, I'm a musician
None of these niggas want smoke with me
So hopefully, my flow will breed, some rappers with actual potency
Spit hot lava, erode the beat, my God
What you think of that, Brent?
In Lost & Found, Cordae talks about his journey from being a lost boy to finding himself and his success in the music industry. He acknowledges the people who have tried to copy his sound and recognizes the importance of having a supportive partner. Cordae also talks about his desire for a different lifestyle and how he had to switch it up to achieve it.
The lyrics also showcase Cordae's confidence in his talent and his ability to stand out in a sea of rappers. He mentions his success and how he was able to buy luxury items for himself and his mother. Cordae also references influential figures like Tupac and Barack Obama while asserting his own identity as a musician. He ends the song with a bold statement about his skills in comparison to other rappers and his determination to make a mark in the industry.
Overall, Lost & Found is a track that showcases Cordae's lyrical prowess and his journey to success. It is a reflection of his confidence, ambition and individuality as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
Switch up my lifestyle
I changed the way I live
Yeah, I was a lost boy, now I'm found
I was lost before but now I'm found
Niggas switched up, they can't come around
My friends changed, they can't be around me anymore
To these rap niggas biting my sound
These rappers are copying my sound
Shout out my bitch for holdin' it down
Thanks to my girl for supporting me
I had to switch up my lifestyle
I had to change my life to achieve success
If she bad I'ma go fuck her lights out
If a girl is attractive, I'll have sex with her
Momma always told me I was a bright child
My mother said I was a smart kid
Naked pictures saved on my iCloud
I have nude photos on my iCloud
My goodness, my God, my gracious
Expression of surprise or amazement
Got a bad little bitch, my favorite
I have a very attractive girlfriend who I like a lot
And I eat the pussy like it's caviar
I perform oral sex on my girlfriend at a high level
Nigga I ain't talkin' bout that playlist
I'm not talking about music right now
Most necessary, cold February
I'm important, like February is significantly cold
Flow never bury, shit is everlastin'
My rap style is unstoppable and eternal
Opportunity is never passin'
I always take advantage of opportunities
Was just in school, skippin' hella classes
I used to skip a lot of school
New whip hit the pedal thrashin'
I bought a new car and drive it fast
Grew up where I heard the metal blastin'
I came from a violent environment where guns were often shot
I know that greed is the Devil's passion
I know that excessive desire for wealth can lead to negative consequences
Wears Prada and Stilleto fashion
I wear expensive clothes and shoes
Gucci has become the ghetto fashion
Gucci is a popular brand among people from the inner city
I am just another rebel rappin'
I'm a rapper who goes against the norms and does things my own way
But that studio time led to Louis Vitton, that I just bought for my mom
Time spent in the studio allowed me to make money and buy a Louis Vuitton purse for my mom
Celebration, mix Ciroc and a lime
I like to celebrate with Ciroc and lime mixed drinks
Rest in peace X, the Pac of his time
I pay respects to the late rapper XXXtentacion, who I consider to be a legend in his time
Was manifested, can't stop the divine
I believe in fate and that things happen for a reason
Nigga speakin' like Barack in his prime
I'm speaking confidently and intelligently, like former President Barack Obama during his prime
But I'm Bill Clinton with the ill writtens, make the real listen
I have a way with words and make people listen, like former President Bill Clinton
Seen Monica Lewinsky in the Hills strippin'
I witnessed a woman in West Hollywood (the Hills) stripping, like Monica Lewinsky who was involved in a scandal with Bill Clinton
I was late, call me Mike Jones 'cause I'm still tippin'
I arrived late, like rapper Mike Jones, and I'm still on my grind
Call up Scotty with the shotty, 'cause I feel Pippen
I feel powerful, like former NBA player Scottie Pippen
I'm a real Fresh Prince, Uncle Phil, listen
I relate to the TV character the Fresh Prince and his uncle Phil
And tell Will Smith how I kill shit
I want to impress Will Smith with my rapping skills
And to please adopt a young nigga, man I'm tryna get real rich
I'm jokingly asking Will Smith to adopt me so I can become wealthy
Nah I'm playin', shoutout to Jaden
I'm joking, but I want to give a shoutout to Jaden Smith
So iconic how I go Super Saiyan
I feel like a powerful anime character when I rap
New bitch foreign, straight from the Himalayans
My new girlfriend is exotic and from the Himalayas
On top soon, Lord knows I been prayin'
I hope to be successful soon, and I've been praying for it
'Cause I'm on my grind, watch how I kickflip
I'm working hard and doing well, watch how I show off my skills
Money notorious, I'm buyin' big shit
I have a lot of money and I'm buying expensive things
God is so glorious, bless me with riches
I thank God for blessing me with wealth
I was just broke, now I'm a rich kid
I used to be poor, but now I'm wealthy
Gas what I smoke, that shit is vicious
I smoke strong and potent weed
Give me that throat, say it's delicious
I want a girl to perform oral sex on me and enjoy it
Rappers is jokes, I'm a musician
I take my craft seriously, unlike many other rappers
None of these niggas want smoke with me
No other rappers want to challenge me
So hopefully, my flow will breed, some rappers with actual potency
I hope my style will inspire other rappers to have more impact and influence
Spit hot lava, erode the beat, my God
My rapping is powerful and I destroy beats with it
What you think of that, Brent?
What do you think of my lyrics, Brent?
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cordae Dunston, Maneesh Bidaye, Rasool Diaz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jussaygt1009
Lyrics....
Beats....
Melody....
Flow...
Long ago...all lyricists lived in harmony
Then everything changed when the mumble rappers attacked🔥
Only the Avatar, master of all 4 elements can stop them but when the world needed him most...he vanished
Cultured rap fans..found a new avatar, a lyricist named cordae and even though his rapping is great, he has a long way to go before he can save anyone
But I believe Cordae can save the world
(Dope ass avatar intro music plays)
@yungax1368
Like if cordae doesn’t disappoint
@Milani-qe7jp
He can flow so good.
@liamsmith1413
YOU ARE CORRECT MY BROTHA!! 🙏🔥
@flamediamond1515
Shouldn’t have to like a comment to show my appreciation of Cordae
@kingblaze7656
@@flamediamond1515 then don't like
@tuffestmanalive
He is always good
@jonathansalazar4782
"Shout to Jaden, so iconic how I go super saiyan"🔥🔥🔥
@jarrongordon7034
Jonathan Salazar my fav verse
@yoboizab6621
1:30 Yo the wordplay level was over 9000. He said, "so iconic how I go super saiyan" but the words 'iconic how' was said like 'kamehameha'! Just genius 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
@jxy6907
cause jaden is an icon living started a record label MSFTS did it