Cordae’s new single The Parables sees him flexing hard both lyrically and figuratively. Cordae (formerly YBN Cordae) uses an aggressive flow that seems to indicate a response to something (or more likely someone). He never calls out anyone specifically but it’s hard not to hear the venom in his voice when he spits lines like “Watch my moves and I’ma show you what a icon like//Y’all let bygones be bygones, right?”. 

Just ‘Cordae’

     In august of 2020, Cordae dropped the “YBN” from his name and subsequently left the group he was in with YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay. It’s not clear how it went down but in Cordae’s single “Gifted” featuring Roddy Rich, he released the song under his singular name.  Nahmir is on record at the time saying “They left this YBN sh*t in the gutter. Remember that. I’ll turn it up myself.” That quote would seem to indicate bad blood existing between the two after the split. However, Cordae denies a rift.  “And you know, sometimes as friends, you grow apart and you have different visions for what you wanna do and that’s okay. There’s no love lost.” – Cordae

“The Parables”

     Needless to say, when I heard “The Parables”, I couldn’t help but think about the supposed rift between the YBN boys.  As I stated above, Cordae never calls anyone out specifically. The veracity with which he spits though leads me to speculate that this track is aimed at a specific person. Let’s take a closer look at some of the lines. Perhaps you’ll come to the same conclusion I did. 

Quotables

• “N***a, fuck your truce, bust your move” 
  • This line seems like a clear shot at someone.  Maybe it’s not at Nahmir but Cordae is mad enough at somebody to put this in the song. 
• “First and foremost, for every door that’s opened, a door close”
  • Cordae’s debut album “The Lost Boy” was a huge success. He shot into rap’s consciousness and as such paved his own way. Lost Boy opened a door for him and subsequently closed the YBN door simultaneously. 
• “N***a got a problem, then I can make some corrections//Okay, cool, still with the same n***as since grade school//Give a fuck about your shade room when I had made room”
  • YBN started as a gaming collective in which Nahmir and Almighty Jay would freestyle while streaming.  Eventually this led to them focusing on music and subsequently getting bigger.  Cordae came on later and immediately became the most polished rapper in the group. While Cordae didn’t go to grade school with any of the members of YBN, I can’t help but think this is a shot at them and how they came up in the rap game. 
• “It’s certain shit that I can’t say on this song, but let me tell you”
  • Sure, this line could just be classic rap posturing. To me it sounds like there is a deeper meaning that Cordae doesn’t want to put on record. Perhaps, Cordae will address the larger issue once his 2nd full length album comes out.  

Bottom Line

     I have no idea if there is a greater rift between Cordae, Nahmir and Almighty Jay. The song’s tone makes me believe that it is directed at someone specific. However, we can’t be sure unless Cordae addresses it.  I discovered Cordae through YBN but I have no problem with him making his own way. In a lot of ways, he’s already made it by himself. Dropping the YBN was just a formality that he had yet to do until this year. Cordae is one of the best young rappers in the game today. He proves it time and time again with each new piece of music he releases. If “The Parables” is a harbinger of what’s to come on his next album, I can’t wait to hear what else he has in store. 

Rating: 8.5/10

Written by Sean Curley