Cordae makes his presence felt with “The Crossroads.”
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TOP 5
5. Saturday Mornings (Ft. Lil Wayne)
Cordae keeps up with Lil Wayne in this track.
There’s no other way to slice it: you get elite rapping in “Saturday Mornings.” Starting the track, which is driven by a soulful beat that barely has a knock to it, Cordae delivers deep bars about the problems he’s facing, the gritty world he comes from, and his major come-up. He also brags about hopping on jets and getting his family homes. Throughout his verse, Cordae masterfully delivers clever punchlines and flawless flows.
Lil Wayne closes out “Saturday Mornings” with a relatively whiny rap verse, discussing the drugs he’s taking, his business ventures, and slam dunking on his opps. Though Wayne starts with a basic flow, he eventually turns things up, delivering what might be one of his best performances this year.
4. Back on the Road (Ft. Lil Wayne)
Cordae is brave for going up against Lil Wayne twice on one album.
I love how effortlessly Cordae and Lil Wayne flow in “Back on the Road.” Over a hard-hitting beat with some smooth undertones, the two dive into topics like loyalty, the gritty side of the music industry, drug struggles, and holding their ground. While Cordae’s tone has a hint of frustration, giving off a “speak-to-the-manager” vibe, Wayne’s cool, composed delivery makes it feel like he might just be the manager himself.
3. Two Tens
J. Cole and Dem Jointz decided to hook Cordae and Anderson .Paak up with a beat that is cooler than The Fonz.
“Two Tens” boasts this competitive, D Boy-like beat produced by J. Cole and Dem Jointz. Over it, Cordae and Anderson .Paak mention what they like and hate about being in relationships. While Anderson takes more of a positive approach, Cordae sounds like that one dude who never wants to see his wifed-up homies happy. I think the back-and-forth structure of the song, combined with the two artists’ spirited verses, makes for a unique listen.
Getting Cole to produce your track might be a bigger flex than getting him to drop a verse on your track.
2. Mad as F*ck
Who drank Cordae’s apple juice?
Yeah, I needed to hear some s**t like this from Cordae. In “Mad as F*ck,” Cordae uses this bratty style of rapping to speak on all the s**t that has him feeling perturbed these days, mentioning high bills and fake n***as. He also brags about his new chick, new cars, and the money he’s stacking up. Overall, I enjoy Cordae’s approach here, in addition to the action-packed, high-tempo beat, consistent flow, and semi-catchy chorus. On the real, the song reminds me of Drake’s “I’m Upset” a little bit.
Damn, if I knew making Cordae angry would get him to produce his best work, I would’ve gotten someone to ratio his ass years ago.
1. Syrup Sandwiches (Ft. Joey Bada$$)
I would love it if Joey Bada$$ went on a generational feature run.
There’s no need to overthink this: “Syrup Sandwiches” is an excellent track. In it, Cordae and Joey Bada$$ put up nearly flawless verses, flowing over the gentle production excellently while hitting us with bars that speak of their love for women with bad habits, their hustling ways, and their strong teams. As a matter of fact, the two rappers skate on the track so efficiently that it feels like it’s only one minute long.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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OVERALL RATING
(B) (86%)
Can we start a petition declaring this as Cordae’s official sophomore album?
Production:
Everyone saw the guest appearances on this album and lost their minds, but I think what really stands out is the production. For The Crossroads, Cordae chose beats that hit hard and carry a timeless, soulful, old-school, or boom-bap vibe. Interestingly, he steers clear of heavy trap beats or overly trippy sounds, which gives the album a refreshing and authentic feel.
The Performances:
Cordae showcases his impressive rap skills on this album, proving his ability to dive deep into nearly every track with aggressive deliveries, clever punchlines, and strong, reflective lyrics that feel wise beyond his years. He also demonstrates an instinct for collaborating, knowing exactly when and how to exchange verses with his guests, creating a strong sense of cohesion throughout the project.
Guest Appearances:
The album’s guest features are exceptional, and what’s impressive is how Cordae draws out the best from each artist, turning many of the tracks into what feel like true two-man cyphers. As a hip-hop fan, it almost feels like we owe him for bringing these artists together and inspiring such high-quality performances.
What Would I Change About This Album?
Cordae still has a few things to refine in his rapping. At times, his punchlines come off as a bit forced, and occasionally, he seems to throw in lines just to make the rhyme work. There are also moments where his delivery can seem a bit overconfident, almost giving a sense that he sees himself as a bigger figure than he currently is. These are minor critiques but worth mentioning.
The Biggest Reason You Should Listen To This Album:
Cordae has delivered some seriously high-quality hip-hop music.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
