Anderson .Paak and Cordae’s chemistry on “Heavy Is the Crown” is f**king awesome.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. Helpless

What “Helpless” lacks in excitement, it makes up for in honesty. The soulful production doesn’t have much knock, so an early-morning listen without cocaine in your system could have you fighting for your life against sleep.

Lyrically, though, our two heroes give us plenty to connect with. Cordae gets into raising his daughter under unfortunate circumstances, losing love, and dealing with loneliness, while Anderson .Paak reflects on temptation and fake individuals. I gravitated toward Cordae’s part because of the feeling in his tone, but Anderson’s passionate delivery gives the track a much-needed surge of energy. Overall, the vulnerability is what makes this s**t worth sitting with.

4. 58th Floor

“58th Floor,” the intro, does a fantastic job of setting expectations for the kind of project you’re getting into.

Over sly production, Anderson .Paak and Cordae initially sound like light-skinned thugs handling business. Then Ando’s situation with a girl he shouldn’t have f**ked with pops up, and suddenly, all that tough talk comes with a sitcom-sized complication. I love how it introduces the project’s sense of humor.

Eventually, the production gets tough as hell, giving both rappers room to show off slick flows and reflect on their come-ups. They sound confident, comfortable, and ready to rap their asses off. Between the storytelling, humor, and bars, this opener gives me exactly what I came for (Ps: You can’t tell me they didn’t take the main story from that one episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air).

3. A Good Day

Honestly, I just like the feel-good vibes of “A Good Day.” The track samples Bill Withers’ timeless “Lovely Day,” updating its warmth with heavier bass, Fatman Scoop ad-libs, and enough edge to make the production feel fresh. Anderson and Cordae go back and forth effortlessly, discussing wooing women, enjoying luxurious lifestyles, and blocking anyone who attempts to ruin their mood.

Cordae supplies his signature smooth flows, while Anderson brings charisma to every second he occupies. He also delivers a polished vocal performance that adds another layer of soul to the record.

Honestly, though, the music video might be the best part. Anderson and Cordae compete for the attention of the same gorgeous woman, resorting to Looney Tunes-level antics as they battle their way toward the throne. Their comedic timing and friendship make every scene feel natural.

2. I’m On

I’m On” brings out the dogs in Anderson .Paak and Cordae. The beat is dramatic and familiar, sounding like something every modern rapper has taken a swing at. Thankfully, these two come ready, delivering fierce, punchy verses about their cars, money, and the big plays they’re making. The bragging is excessive in the best way, and the energy backs it up. This is some grab-the-nearest-railing music.

1. Days Like This

Anderson .Paak is special on “Days Like This.” He lets his vocals sting a little more here, sounding divine—like a rogue preacher—as he takes full command of the track. His performance pairs perfectly with the timeless, fiery production. S**t, this might be my favorite beat on the project.

Lyrically, there’s some bragging, but most of it revolves around responsible moves and accomplishments you can actually aspire to. Cordae doesn’t stand out quite as much as Anderson, but he still brings some heat, flowing comfortably over the production and delivering striking punchlines.

Frfr, I can hear this playing right before a commercial break during a massive college football game. It has that kind of big-moment energy.

SONG BY SONG RATING

58th Floor (4.5/5)

Airbender (4/5)

I’m On (4.5/5)

A Good Day (4.5/5)

You’re Mine (4/5)

Days Go By (4.5/5)

Crown (4/5)

Days Like This (4/5)

Karma Tax (4/5)

Helpless (4/5)

Godfather II (4/5)

RGM RATING

Creativity isn’t a word we use enough in hip-hop today. Heavy Is the Crown is creative as hell. From sticky situations and excessive bragging to production that moves between old-school flips and some tough s**t, Cordae and Anderson .Paak sound willing to throw everything at the wall. The impressive part is how much sticks. There’s also plenty of storytelling, delivered so naturally that you sometimes don’t realize they’re walking you through a whole situation until you’re already invested.

I really feel like this could be the perfect reset for Cordae. His output since his debut hasn’t consistently connected with me, but he gets to it here. The punchlines are sharper, the flows are less predictable, and his confidence makes the performances feel alive. He sounds comfortable taking chances, and that gives his rapping some much-needed personality.

As for Anderson, the strongest moments still come when he lets those vocals loose, like on “Days Like This.” The fact that he also brings major bars feels like house money. His creativity, animation, and ability to switch between humor, aggression, and vulnerability keep the album feeling like a roller coaster. Their chemistry makes those turns enjoyable instead of exhausting.

With producers including J. Cole, Conductor Williams, 9th Wonder, and Swizz Beatz, this could’ve sounded scattered. Thankfully, the production holds together, balancing cinematic touches, bass, and classic hip-hop energy while giving both artists room to work.

I enjoyed every second of this project. It’s fun, polished, and full of personality, with both artists sounding completely themselves. This is the kind of collaboration that makes you want them to clear their schedules and do it again.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.