Two artists who have traded verses for seven years are finally making a full album together. Anderson .Paak and Cordae release Heavy Is the Crown this Friday, October 23, through APESHIT, Mass Appeal and EMPIRE. With the drop just days away, here is what we know.
Heavy Is the Crown Release Date and Rollout
The album arrives October 23. The rollout began in August with a teaser video styled after the poster for the comedy Step Brothers. .Paak has stoked anticipation on the album, saying, “We can’t wait for y’all to hear this one.”
Fans have already had a taste. The first release, “A Good Day,” samples Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day.” A full tracklist had not been published at the time of writing.
From “RNP” to a Full-Length Collaboration
The partnership began with “RNP,” a track on Cordae’s Grammy-nominated 2019 debut, The Lost Boy. They reunited on “Two Tens” in 2023 and “Summer Drop” in 2024, both from Cordae’s The Crossroads. They have also performed together on TV, including at the BET Awards. Given their shared history, the album is seems more like a natural next step rather than a one-off pairing.
Who Else Is on Heavy Is the Crown?
J. Cole, 9th Wonder, Conductor Williams and Swizz Beatz are all reportedly listed as collaborators. Cole’s involvement comes full-circle, as he produced both “RNP” and “Two Tens.”
Heavy Is the Crown Vinyl, CD and Cassette Editions
The physical release is built for collectors. It includes six retailer-exclusive vinyl products, an animated zoetrope edition for direct-to-consumer sales, a cassette, and a CD with a lenticular cover. In another nod to Step Brothers, that particular cover shifts between the album artwork and an image of the pair fighting.
Why Heavy Is the Crown Is an Independent Release
The album comes through APESHIT, Mass Appeal and EMPIRE, a lineup of artist-driven and independent partners. .Paak has worked with the same distributor before, as he marked the 10th anniversary of Malibu with exclusive vinyl and cassettes in partnership with EMPIRE. Although the two are certified Grammy-level artists, their strict control over the release makes this a decidedly independent offering.
The Meaning Behind the Title
Beneath the jokes, the project carries real weight. Label copy describes the title as a reference to the shared weight both artists carry as providers and anchors for their families, balanced against “uncompromising fun.”
How to Listen
Heavy Is the Crown is out Friday, October 23, on all major streaming platforms, with physical editions available through retailers.
Breaking news: We just found out that MMMG — with which Cordae has an exclusive ownership agreement — is suing the artist for copyright infringement, breach of contract, and tortious interference. The $25 million lawsuit centers on the release of the single “A Good Day,” which is included in the upcoming Heavy Is the Crown album. The album is still set to drop this Friday, October 23, despite an injunction request being included in the suit. MMGG stated that more copyright infringement claims will be added if the release pushes through. We’ll keep you updated on further developments.
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