Anderson .Paak and Cordae's Heavy Is The Crown lands 23 October: 11 songs and a Step Brothers cover

Two artists who have been trading verses for seven years are finally putting a full record on the table. Anderson .Paak and Cordae release Heavy Is The Crown on 23 October 2026, an 11-song collaborative album.

What we know

The record comes through APESHIT, Mass Appeal and EMPIRE, and the Apple Music listing for the project carries the credit line "APESHIT + EMPIRE / Hi Level + Mass Appeal". It is currently up as a pre-release with 11 tracks. The tracklist itself has not been published, and the only song the listing names is the video for "A Good Day".

The announcement graphic names four collaborators: J. Cole, 9th Wonder, Conductor Williams and Swizz Beatz. It does not say who is a guest on the mic and who is behind the boards, so we are not guessing at roles until the credits land. Physical copies are on pre-order through EMPIRE, including an Amazon-exclusive vinyl.

The cover, meanwhile, is a nod to the 2008 comedy Step Brothers, which tells you the record is not all gravitas. The title points at the other side of it: the weight two artists carry as providers and anchors for their families.

Why this pairing makes sense

For anyone meeting them for the first time: Anderson .Paak is the Oxnard, California drummer-singer-rapper behind Malibu and half of Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars. Cordae is the Maryland rapper who broke through with his 2019 debut The Lost Boy.

Their partnership starts on that album, with "RNP". They have since reunited on "Two Tens" and "Summer Drop", and have performed together at the BET Awards and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. J. Cole is one of rap's biggest names and a frequent ally of both artists' circle. 9th Wonder is among the best-known soul-sample producers in rap, so on paper the credit list leans toward the sample-rich, live-feeling sound both artists favour. That is our read of the names, not a verdict on music we have not heard.

What to watch

.Paak is also on the road in support of Bruno Mars' The Romantic Tour, where he opens as DJ Pee .Wee and joins Mars for Silk Sonic songs. No album tour has been announced for Heavy Is The Crown yet. We will update when dates, singles or the full tracklist arrive.

Until then, the Apple Music page is the place to pre-save and watch for the tracklist.