by Jeremy Lesserson
One of rap music’s most promising young talents is finally back with his sophomore album, From a Birds Eye View. Teasing the album since late 2020 with his single The Parables, Cordae opens his book just a little more and enlightens his audience with his smooth, reflective rhymes. His 2018 debut album The Lost Boy was about opening up, but From a Birds Eye View is about pushing the pace to achieve greatness through his craft.
The 14-track project lasts 41 minutes, and spills out themes of past hardship, focus, and displaying emotion. It also displays a hungry Cordae, who seems to know that a lot is riding on his career after the success of his debut album. He takes influence from the criticism and responds through his lyrics.
Cordae continued to tease the album with a 4-track EP titled Just Until… which was released in April 2021 and contains features from Q-Tip and Young Thug. He subsequently dropped two singles off the album, first with Super and then with the Lil Wayne-assisted Sinister that was released in October and December, respectively. The Parables and Gifted were two other pre-released singles that were added to the end of the album with remixes.
Jean-Michel
This slow and steady instrumental contains harmonized humming that coincides with the piano chords. After a dragged-out drum solo that lasts a full 4/4 measure, it’s almost as if the second track of the album is setting the tone and laying the groundwork for the track and the album as a whole. Cordae spits reflections and realizations through the tribulations he’s faced.
And on my mama, I will die for the right cause
Mmm, 'cause what's life without sacrifice?
And you just wasting talent if you never strategize
Stared death in the face with the saddest eyes
Taking risks, situations getting magnified
What's your ideal way of demise?
The price of fame costs your life, but staying alive was more important
Throughout the song, Cordae maintains the belief that the desire for power and fame never end. People will backstab and lie just to climb their way to the top, and this track is Cordae putting it out there for reflection.
Want From Me
Cordae’s theme persists, as Want From Me is a reflective, personal track over a mellow beat about what he believes is his purpose. He seems to have a reputable name that has come with pressures and bad influences. Surrounding a chorus that rings “what do you want from me, what do you need?” Cordae preaches his imperfections and the ways he overcomes adversity from the masses that try to tear him down.
Improper inner circles, gotta sanitize
I clean house 'cause some only like to vandalize
Plotting on your downfall although I plan to rise
Life's your biggest fuckin' test and this ain't standardized
Quite remedial, the type to see it through
I write for me and you, accomplish shit that isn't feasible
Continually asking his audience “what do you want from me?” is his way of asking why people ask so much of him. He hears the outside voices like walls closing in, and Want From Me is his way of responding to people that only want to take from him. The selfishness and ignorance don't faze Cordae, it only inspires him.
Champagne Glasses
A flute-driven instrumental guides Cordae as he measures his success with how much he gives back to his family. The champagne glasses he’s referring to are shared with his family, to whom Cordae has given backstage access to his shows. At the same time, Cordae tours the country and has underlying internal pain. He’s still stressed even though he’s making money and making his family proud, something he didn’t expect.
I grew up in them trenches, boy, your house had wine cellar
If anybody ever had a problem, gave 'em hell
I got my auntie, brothers, daddy, cousin backstage passes
Everybody celebratin' with they champagne glasses
I'm just sittin' full of pain as I'm tourin' the country
Thought the stress-free life was gon' come with the money
Freddie Gibbs adds a braggadocious verse after the second chorus and subtracts the drums. He utilizes an ear-catching, rapid flow for his last three lines. The outro is a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder, who allows the track to fade away along with the singing voices that fill the background.
Conclusion
Above everything that Cordae preached about and spoke about throughout his 41-minute album, he has officially established himself as one of the most prominent, influential voices in rap today. Not just among his age group, but among the entire genre as a whole. Cordae is right up there with some of the most accomplished and acclaimed lyricists, such as Freddie Gibbs, Lil Wayne, Benny The Butcher, Tyler, The Creator, Conway The Machine, Bas, etc. The former two appear on his album, further boosting Cordae’s resume. Only two albums deep and Cordae has elevated among his peers as the voice of the youth and a voice for old-school rap fans to gravitate towards. His potential has been displayed since 2018 when he dropped singles Old N***as and My Name Is. The foundation that he laid down back then has set the tone for how he perceives his life right now. Cordae released From a Birds Eye View to represent that he has a brain that is decades older than him. The female-sounding vocal samples paired with the clear, untouched drums finally unlock his full potential. He has a plethora of knowledge that is rare for rappers his age, and he’s passionate about the truth. Cordae is one of the ambassadors of modern lyricism, and an indicator that “real rap” isn’t dead. His intelligence goes way beyond his years. A mixture of honest, confident, and reflective, Cordae has shaped his sound so fluidly. It’s targeted to project his message yet inspiring to one who eagerly wants to learn about gaining success and the struggles of maintaining it. The sky's the limit for Cordae, who projected a “20-year career, minimum.”