Cordae Says Advice From Weezy Was 'Standard We Followed' on New Album

A sage piece of advice from Lil Wayne proved pivotal during the creative process behind Cordae’s new album The Crossroads, out today.

As Cordae himself explained in a pre-release note to fans on Thursday, he had a specific manta in mind—“push that pen, push that pen”—while writing what would become his third full-length studio album. But it was some widely applicable words of wisdom from Weezy, who appears on two tracks off Crossroads, that ultimately set the artistic tone of the project.

“The GOAT, Wayne, gave me gray advice that I put on a whiteboard. ‘Treat every song like it’s people’s first time hearing you,’” Cordae said. “And that was the standard we followed while making this jaint. Vulnerable and transparent as I ever been, this motherfucker gives me goosebumps playing it.”

From there, Cordae urged fans to listen to the album as intended, i.e. in its proper sequencing and in one sitting.

While Wayne is aboard for Crossroads cuts “Back on the Road” and “Saturday Mornings,” the artist formerly known as Kanye West pops up for “No Bad News” ahead of the release of his presumably imminent new solo album Bully. Though the track is a mere two letters from sharing a title with a key 808s & Heartbreak track, there is no relation between the two songs. Still, fans were quick to praise the chorus-focused feature from Ye, who last month gave fans what’s believed to be an excerpt from a new song tentatively titled “Beauty and the Beast.”

Anderson .Paak, Juicy J, Jordan Ward, Ravyn Lenae, Joey Badass, and Ye’s Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 partner Ty Dolla Sign also make appearances across Cordae’s 17-track new album. Listen to the full thing here.

Leading into the release, Cordae rolled out a swiftly praised Power 106 freestyle over GloRilla’s “TGIF,” calling the beat one of his favorites of 2024. Production on the Glorious single is credited to zenjikozen, Jess Jackson, and Dillon Brophy.