Cordae and Anderson .Paak don’t get enough credit. Every song the two do together is a hit and their latest song, “Summer Drop,” is proof of that. We already did a review of the song itself, but the duo released a music video to go with it. Unsurprisingly, it’s also great. Cordae and Anderson .Paak capture the laid-back vibe of the J. Cole instrumental by driving around with the windows down. The duo seem to be having a blast and honestly, the energy is contagious.
Cordae is going for a very specific aesthetic on his upcoming album. “Saturday Mornings,” his last song with Lil Wayne, and “Summer Drop” both evoke a ’90s nostalgia. The way each setup was shot is reminiscent of an old-school music video, the shifts to grainy black and white. Cordae brings back the rap music of his youth but puts his own spin on it. There’s nothing cheesy or annoyingly retro about the video for “Summer Drop.” It tips its hat to summer anthems of the past, but still has enough of a modern feel to reach fans in 2024.
Cordae remembers his childhood in the 90s in a new video
A big part of the balance that works is the on-screen chemistry between Cordae and Anderson .Paak. In their body language and reference points, the duo recalls groups like De La Soul and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Even the title of Cordae’s upcoming album, The crossingreminds of Bone Thugs. The rapper is visibly wistful, and this is expressed in his lyrics. “I saved up all summer, that’s how I bought myself school clothes,” he raps. “I bought myself some Pumas and some fake necklaces, it was fool’s gold.”
“My n**ga, what do you know about these hot summers? No air conditioning.”
Anderson .Paak, as always, balances Cordae’s understated performance. The instantly recognizable singer drops a memorable opening verse about his success and how much his life has changed since he was a kid. “I’m in my other drop, from beanies to buckets. A hundred bucks in my polo socks,” he spits. “Remember when summer came, we was at Uncle’s. Three n**gas with nothing else to do but wrestle or slapbox.” Honestly, we can’t wait to hear the rest of Cordae’s album.
About the author
Elias is a music writer at HotNewHipHop. He joined the site in 2024 and covers a wide range of topics including pop culture, film, sports, and of course hip hop. He posts work for HNHH Monday through Friday, especially when it comes to covering new albums and singles. His favorite artists are Andre 3000, MF Doom, Kanye West pre-808, and Tyler, The Creator. He loves LA hip hop, but not LA sports teams. The first album he ever bought was Big Willie Style by Will Smith, which he says is still a pretty good listen.
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