Chronicles (song)

2022 song by Cordae featuring H.E.R. and Lil Durk

"Chronicles"

Song by Cordae featuring H.E.R. and Lil Durk
from the album  From a Birds Eye View
Released| January 14, 2022
Genre|

* Hip hop
* R&B

Length| 3:32
Label|

* Atlantic
* Art@War
* Hi-Level

Songwriter(s)|

* Cordae Dunston
* Gabriella Wilson
* Durk Banks
* Matthew Samuels
* Miloš Angelov
* Tahrence Brown
* Anderson Hernandez

Producer(s)|

* Boi-1da
* Don Mills
* Audi
* Vinylz

Music video
"Chronicles" on YouTube

"Chronicles" is a song by American rapper and singer Cordae featuring fellow American singer H.E.R. and fellow American rapper and singer Lil Durk. Written alongside producers Boi-1da, Don Mills, Audi, and Vinylz, it is taken from the former's second studio album From a Birds Eye View (2022). The song features a guitar-laden instrumental,[1][2] as well as crooning from Cordae.[3]

## Critical reception

[edit]

The song was well received by music critics. Chris Saunders of Clash wrote, "'Chronicles' gives us Cordae in a light we haven't seen before, attempting a more melodic, R&B inspired sound which surprisingly comes off fantastically well and is a standout moment on the album. Cordae's voice is filled with personality and confidence over the guitar sample laced throughout the track and he sounds completely at home while harmonising with an incredible vocalist in H.E.R on the chorus."[1] Preezy Brown of Vibe described the song as the "real jewel" on From a Birds Eye View in terms of collaborations, also commenting that it "has the makings of a dark-horse hit that will surely get consistent spins on my personal playlist."[2] NME's Kyann-Sian Williams called the song a highlight of the album.[4] Uproxx's Aaron Williams regarded the song as a standout of the album that shows off Cordae's "star power",[5] while David Blake of HipHopDX considered it one of the album's highest moments because of Cordae "breaking from the monotony and delivering the heartfelt feeling that is sorely lacking from this album."[3] Robert Blair of HotNewHipHop wrote, "Alongside Lil Durk, 'Chronicles' with H.E.R sees him coax the global star out of her comfort zone to wondrous effect. While on Cordae's part, he finally unleashes those soothing vocal chops that had occasionally appeared on the peripheries of his output. With production overseen by Boi-1da, it's a track that feels predestined to be felt further afield and, with the proper promotion, could grant him the breakout commercial single that's proved elusive up until this point."[6] Jayson Buford of Pitchfork stated, "The standout 'Chronicles' is an example of what Cordae could do if he took himself less seriously. The production hints at 2010s Jeremih, and H.E.R. turns in a great guest performance."[7]

## Live performances

[edit]

On January 11, 2022, Cordae performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon along with "Sinister".[8]

## Music video

[edit]

A music video for the song premiered on January 19, 2022. It was directed by Aplus, Fredo Tovar, Scott Fleishman and Edwin Tovar.[9] The video opens with Cordae heading to a diner at night,[10] and sees the three artists performing the song atop the hood of a convertible in the parking lot,[9][11] while each of them is also involved in a relationship of their own. Cordae works as a cook in the diner and becomes acquainted with a beautiful waitress,[11] laughing and joking with her;[12] H.E.R. is on a date at the diner with a man, whom she has "ups and downs" with; and Lil Durk hangs out in the parking lot, talking with his romantic interest, who rolls her eyes as he makes promises he cannot keep.[11][12]

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Chronicles"  Chart (2022)  | Peak
position

|

New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] | 14
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[14] | 7
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] | 47

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Saunders, Chris (January 14, 2022). "Cordae – From a Bird's Eye View". Clash. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
2. ^ a b Brown, Preezy (January 14, 2022). "Cordae 'From A Birds Eye View' Album Raised The Bar This New Music Friday". Vibe. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
3. ^ a b Brake, David (January 27, 2022). "Cordae 'From A Bird's Eye View' Reveals The Pitfalls Of Idolizing Rap Purism". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
4. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (January 14, 2022). "Cordae – From a Birds Eye View review: confident rhymes and nostalgic hip-hop sounds". NME. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
5. ^ Williams, Aaron (January 18, 2022). "Cordae Wears His Wisdom Well On The Expansive 'From A Bird's Eye View'". Uproxx. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
6. ^ Blair, Robert (January 18, 2022). "Cordae "From A Birds Eye View" Review". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
7. ^ Buford, Jayson (January 21, 2022). "Cordae: From a Bird's Eye View Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
8. ^ "Cordae: Sinister / Chronicles". YouTube. January 11, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
9. ^ a b Caraan, Sophie (January 19, 2022). "Cordae Unveils "Chronicles" Music Video With H.E.R. and Lil Durk". Hypebeast. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
10. ^ Cho, Regina (January 20, 2022). "H.E.R. and Lil Durk join Cordae for new "Chronicles" video". Revolt. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
11. ^ a b c Williams, Aaron (January 19, 2022). "Cordae Tries To Spark A Workplace Romance In His 'Chronicles' Video With HER Lil And Durk". Uproxx. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
12. ^ a b Coates, Taiyo (January 19, 2022). "Cordae Kicks It With H.E.R. And Lil Durk In "Chronicles" Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
13. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 24, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
14. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: January 29, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
15. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: January 29, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

Cordae

Studio albums|

* The Lost Boy
* From a Birds Eye View
* The Crossroads

EPs|

* Just Until...

Singles|

* "Kung Fu"
* "Have Mercy"
* "Bad Idea"
* "RNP"
* "Gifted"
* "Super"
* "Sinister"
* "Two Tens"
* "Doomsday"
* "Saturday Mornings"

Featured singles|

* "Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate"
* "Killer (Remix)"

Other songs|

* "Broke as Fuck"
* "Chronicles"

* v
* t
* e

H.E.R.

* Discography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* Back of My Mind

Compilation albums|

* H.E.R.
* I Used to Know Her

EPs|

* I Used to Know Her: The Prelude
* I Used to Know Her: Part 2

Singles|

* "Focus"
* "Best Part"
* "Could've Been"
* "Hard Place"
* "Slide"
* "I Can't Breathe"
* "Damage"
* "Fight for You"
* "Come Through"
* "Lonely at the Top"

Featured singles|

* "Smile"
* "Closer"
* "Playa"

Other songs|

* "Thursday"
* "Come Together"
* "B.S."
* "Chronicles"

* v
* t
* e

Lil Durk

Discography

Studio albums|

* Remember My Name (2015)
* Lil Durk 2X (2016)
* Signed to the Streets 3 (2018)
* Love Songs 4 the Streets 2 (2019)
* Just Cause Y'all Waited 2 (2020)
* The Voice (2020)
* 7220 (2022)
* Almost Healed (2023)
* Deep Thoughts (2025)

Collaborative albums|

* The Voice of the Heroes (with Lil Baby) (2021)

Compilation albums|

* Family over Everything (with Only the Family) (2019)
* Loyal Bros (with Only the Family) (2021)
* Loyal Bros 2 (with Only the Family) (2022)
* Nightmares in the Trenches (with Only the Family) (2023)

Mixtapes|

* Life Ain't No Joke (2012)
* Signed to the Streets (2013)
* Signed to the Streets 2 (2014)
* They Forgot (2016)
* Bloodas (with Tee Grizzley) (2017)
* Just Cause Y'all Waited (2018)

Singles|

* "Like Me"
* "My Beyoncé"
* "Extravagant"
* "3 Headed Goat"
* "The Voice"
* "Stay Down"
* "Backdoor"
* "Voice of the Heroes"
* "Pissed Me Off"
* "Lion Eyes"
* "Broadway Girls"
* "Ahhh Ha"
* "Golden Child"
* "Computer Murderers"
* "Hot Shit"
* "Hanging with Wolves"
* "All My Life"
* "Pelle Coat"
* "Stand by Me"
* "F*ck U Thought"
* "Hellcats SRTs 2"
* "Smurk Carter"
* "Old Days"
* "We Uh Shoot"
* "Turn Up a Notch"
* "Monitoring Me"
* "Can't Hide It"

Featured singles|

* "Crazy Story 2.0"
* "Heart on Ice" (Remix)
* "All These Niggas"
* "Laugh Now Cry Later"
* "U 2 Luv" (Remix)
* "Back in Blood"
* "Pain Away"
* "No More Parties" (Remix)
* "Go Crazy" (Remix)
* "Every Chance I Get"
* "24 Hours"
* "Sharing Locations"
* "Who Want Smoke??"
* "Rumors"
* "Twin"
* "Leave the Club"
* "Vultures"

Other songs|

* "Still Trappin'"
* "No Time"
* "Already Won"
* "Hats Off"
* "Jonah"
* "In the Bible"
* "Chronicles"
* "What Happened to Virgil"
* "Mad Max"
* "War Bout It"
* "Cross the Globe"
* "Stand by Me"
* "Dangerous"

Related articles|

* Only the Family

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