Cordae Biography: Net Worth, Songs, Parents, Age, Height, Girlfriend, Albums, Kids

Biography

Cordae Amari Dunston Brooks, born August 26, 1997, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and raised in Suitland, Maryland, is an acclaimed American rapper, singer, and songwriter.

Influenced by his father’s love for 1990s and 2000s hip-hop icons like Nas and J. Cole, Cordae began rapping as a teen under the moniker Entendre, releasing early mixtapes such as Anxiety (2014) and I’m So Anxious (2016).

After dropping out of Towson University in 2018 to pursue music full-time, he joined the YBN collective, adopting the stage name YBN Cordae. He rose to prominence that year with viral remixes, including Eminem‘s “My Name Is” and a response to J. Cole‘s “1985” titled “Old Niggas,” both shared via WorldStarHipHop.

His debut album, The Lost Boy (2019), earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album and featured collaborations with Anderson .Paak and J. Cole.

Following YBN‘s disbandment in 2020, Cordae released From a Birds Eye View (2022), blending introspective lyricism with contemporary production.

Cordae has been in a relationship with tennis star Naomi Osaka since 2019; the couple welcomed their first child in 2023. Now simply known as Cordae, he continues to bridge generational hip-hop divides with his thoughtful storytelling and sharp wordplay.

American rapper
Cordae
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Cordae Amari Brooks
Stage Name:	Cordae
Born:	26 August 1997 (age 28 years old)
Place of Birth:	Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Westlake High School (Maryland), Towson University
Height:	175 cm
Parents:	Jennifer Dunston
Siblings:	Shiloh Young
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Naomi Osaka (2019-2025)
Children:	Shai Brooks
Occupation:	Rapper • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$7 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Cordae Amari Dunston (now known professionally as Cordae Amari Brooks) was born on August 26, 1997, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.

He spent his early childhood in nearby Zebulon, North Carolina, until around age 9 or 10, when his family relocated to Suitland, Maryland, where he was primarily raised.

Growing up in a music-loving household, Cordae showed an early interest in performance; at just 4 years old, he would sing Usher‘s “U Got It Bad” for his mother, using a flashlight as a pretend microphone.

His father’s passion for classic hip-hop artists like Rakim, Nas, Big L, Talib Kweli, and others sparked Cordae‘s own love for the genre, leading him to start writing raps around age 10 or 15.

By age 16, he had converted his basement into a makeshift studio and began recording under the moniker Entendre. Cordae is biracial, with a Black mother and a White father.

He is a Christian. His mother, Jennifer Dunston, is an aspiring singer who auditioned for shows like American Idol and Making the Band and released her own music, though her career did not fully take off.

She has been a significant influence and supporter in his life, with Cordae featuring her in his NPR Tiny Desk performance and sampling her song “Left Me for Dead” in his track “06 Dreamin’.”

His father, whose name is not publicly disclosed, was largely absent due to incarceration throughout much of Cordae‘s life, creating a strained relationship that he has addressed in songs like “Family Matters.”

Cordae has stated he didn’t know his father was White until later in life, as his father disappeared early on. Cordae is the oldest of five siblings.

One of his brothers, Shiloh Young (also known as Simba), used to rap with him but is currently serving a 24-year prison sentence for armed robbery. Cordae highlighted his brother’s story in the track “Shiloh’s Intro.”

Regarding education, Cordae prioritized his studies in his youth but often got distracted by writing lyrics. He graduated from Westlake High School (Maryland) in 2015 and enrolled at Towson University as a first-generation college student, primarily to please his mother.

However, he dropped out in 2018, feeling that college was “bigger than him,” and moved to Los Angeles to pursue music full-time.

Career

Cordae began rapping at age 10, writing verses over instrumentals and converting his basement into a home studio by 16.

Performing under the name Entendre, he released three mixtapes as a teenager: Anxiety (2014), I’m So Anxious (2016), and I’m So Anonymous (2017).

While attending Towson University, he uploaded freestyle videos to YouTube and built a small local following in Maryland. His breakthrough came in May 2018 with the viral freestyle “My Name Is”—a remake of Eminem’s classic—posted on WorldStarHipHop, amassing millions of views.

Weeks later, he released “Old N*ggas”, a thoughtful response to J. Cole’s “1985,” which caught Cole’s attention and led to an invitation to perform at the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. That same year, Cordae joined the YBN collective (alongside YBN Almighty Jay and YBN Nahmir), rebranding as YBN Cordae and appearing on the group’s debut mixtape YBN: The Mixtape.

In 2019, he signed with Atlantic Records and released his debut studio album, The Lost Boy (July 26, 2019). The critically acclaimed project debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album, and spawned singles like “RNP” (feat. Anderson .Paak) and “Have Mercy”.

The album showcased introspective lyricism, addressing fatherhood, fame, and social issues, and featured guests including Chance the Rapper, Ty Dolla Sign, and Pusha T.

After the YBN collective disbanded in August 2020, Cordae dropped the “YBN” prefix and focused on his solo identity. He released the Just Until… EP in April 2021, followed by his second album, From a Birds Eye View (January 14, 2022).

The album peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and included hits like “Sinister” (feat. Lil Wayne) and “Chronicles” (feat. H.E.R. & Lil Durk). It further solidified his reputation for conscious, technically proficient rap.

Cordae has collaborated with major artists including J. Cole, Roddy Ricch, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, and Common, and earned praise for his NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert in 2022, where he performed with his mother. He has been nominated for two Grammys and won BET Hip Hop Award for Best New Artist (2019).

In 2023–2025, Cordae continued releasing singles and building anticipation for his third album, tentatively titled The Crossroads, while balancing fatherhood and advocacy. Known for bridging old-school lyricism with modern production, he remains one of hip-hop’s most respected young voices.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Cordae
• Facebook: Cordae
• YouTube: Cordae
• Instagram: Cordae’ (@cordae)
• YouTube: Cordae
• SoundCloud: Cordae
• Twitter: Cordae (@cordae) / Posts / X

Personal Life

Cordae Amari Brooks (formerly Dunston), born on August 26, 1997, is 28 years old.

He has never been married and has no recorded marriages. Cordae is currently single, with no wife or current partner mentioned in public records.

He has one child, a daughter named Shai Brooks, born on July 7, 2023, with his former partner, tennis star Naomi Osaka.

The couple shares co-parenting responsibilities, and Osaka has described Cordae as an “awesome dad” following their amicable split.

Cordae stands at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.

His dating history is relatively private, with the most notable relationship being with Naomi Osaka from 2019 to early 2025.

They met at a Los Angeles Clippers game in 2019 and went public with their romance shortly after.

Osaka announced the end of their relationship on January 6, 2025, emphasizing there was “no bad blood” and that they remain committed to co-parenting.

Net Worth

American rapper and singer-songwriter Cordae (born Cordae Amari Dunston) has an estimated net worth of $7 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

This figure reflects his earnings from music sales, streaming royalties, tours, and endorsements, stemming from his rise since joining the YBN collective in 2018 and from the release of Grammy-nominated albums like The Lost Boy (2019) and From a Birds Eye View (2022).

Other estimates vary, placing it between $3-6 million, but his ongoing collaborations and solo projects continue to bolster his financial growth.

Discography

Mixtapes (as Entendre/YBN Cordae)

• Anxiety (2014)
• I’m So Anxious (2016)
• I’m So Anonymous (2017)

EPs

• Just Until… (2021)

Studio Albums

• The Lost Boy (2019) – Debut album; Grammy-nominated for Best Rap Album; peaked at No. 13 on Billboard 200.
• From a Birds Eye View (2022) – Peaked at No. 14 on Billboard 200; features Lil Wayne, Eminem, and H.E.R.
• The Crossroads (2024) – Third album; features Anderson .Paak, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West; released November 15, 2024.

Key Singles and Contributions

• “My Name Is” (Remix) (2018) – Viral Eminem freestyle; breakthrough hit.
• “Old N*ggas” (2018) – Response to J. Cole; from YBN: The Mixtape.
• “RNP” (feat. Anderson .Paak) (2019) – From The Lost Boy.
• “Have Mercy” (2019) – From The Lost Boy.
• “Sinister” (feat. Lil Wayne) (2021) – From From a Birds Eye View.
• “Two Tens” (feat. Anderson .Paak) (2023) – Lead single from The Crossroads.
• “Saturday Mornings” (feat. Lil Wayne) (2024) – From The Crossroads.
• “Summer Drop” (feat. Anderson .Paak) (2024) – From The Crossroads.

Group/Compilation Contributions

• YBN: The Mixtape (2018) – With YBN collective; includes “Old N*ggas” and “Fighting Temptations.”