Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka is dating American rapper, Cordae Amari Dunston (formerly known as YBN Cordae) since 2019.
The four-time Grand Slam champion and Cordae are a notoriously private couple. They didn’t debut their relationship until later in 2019. In an interview with GQ in February 2021, Cordae explained why they decided to keep their relationship under wraps for so long.
He said, “We were dating for almost a year before people knew about us. So we kind of move very reclusively. We don’t really post intimate moments, because I feel as though they’re sacred. A relationship is really a sacred thing. Once you let outside influences get into it, it becomes less sacred.”
Who is Cordae Amari Dunston?
Cordae Dunston is a rapper who goes by Cordae. He has already been nominated for two Grammys. In 2019, he was up for Best Rap Album for his debut, “The Lost Boy” and Best Rap Song for “Bad Idea.”
Growing up listening to hip-hop with his dad, Cordae started experimenting with his own lyrics early. According to Billboard, he released his first mixtape when he was 15. While studying at Towson State University in Maryland, he befriended hip-hop artist YBN Nahmir and soon started performing with the YBN Collective as YBN Cordae.
Post-match interview of Naomi Osaka after the Miami Open 2022 Final. Positive outlook in the future. ✨ pic.twitter.com/I5w7YDUtwL
— Naomi Nozomi (@Naomi_Nozomi) April 6, 2022
Cordae first attracted serious attention for his remake of Eminem’s “My Name Is” and hasn’t stopped since. He sees hip-hop as a vehicle for social uplift. He said, “We [musicians] ain’t out here selling drugs. Instead of being a product of our environment, we’re able to speak on the sh*t that’s going on.”
Cordae has even included some subtle shout-outs to his girlfriend in his songs over the years. He first mentioned Osaka on April 2021’s “More Life,” where he raps, “My girl a tennis star.” Cordae also referenced the tennis champ on another song off of his 2021 EP: “My girl would forfeit a tennis match to meet my grandmama / Man, she truly a keeper,” he raps on “Dream In Color.”
GQ magazine described the couple as a “young dynamic couple” after their interview with Naomi and Cordae.
