100 Albums in 2022 Challenge, 2/100

Cordae’s From A Bird’s Eye View Is Almost A Masterpiece

At 24, he’s got plenty of time and talent to bridge the gap

Photo by Majestic Lukas on Unsplash

Sometimes an artist survives the fray because they study and show themselves approved. This was my first thought after listening to From A Bird’s Eye View, Cordae’s second studio album, released last month.

Not to say he isn’t naturally talented. Standing alongside some of music’s most incredible artists (H.E.R., Gunna, Freddie Gibbs, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Stevie Wonder. Yes, that Stevie Wonder), Cordae comes in with the kind of confidence good students spend their entire lives chasing. He intuitively respects and upholds melody to such a degree, it’s easy to imagine him a mega R&B star in another life. But in this one he’s a rapper with an ear for exceptional beats and no problem finding and staying in the pocket.

Cordae’s created a lane for himself that’s reminiscent of pre-avant-garde rap, his lyrical style mostly void of metaphor, sticking to lines that get straight to the point. “Haunted by these goals that I’m tryna accomplish / underrated, over-hated, I’m tired of the nonsense / things I could’ve done better, it lies in my conscience / and I’ll never forget it / I’m my worst critic / such an overthinker / I’m so…