Naomi Osaka‘s ex-boyfriend, rapper Cordae, appears to suggest that the tennis star’s love for him had faded in his new song “Helpless,” while seemingly revealing that he is expecting his second child. The former couple share a three-year-old daughter, Shai.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka and the American rapper went public with their relationship in September 2019, when the Japanese tennis star shared a photo of them embracing against the backdrop of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood sign. In July 2023, they welcomed their baby girl.
After months of noticeable lack of joint appearances and social media posts, speculation about a possible split began to mount. In early January 2025, Osaka confirmed that she and Cordae had separated, while making it clear that there was no animosity between them.
“No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together,” Osaka wrote at the time.
Now, Cordae appears to be offering his perspective on the breakup through “Helpless,” a collaboration with Anderson .Paak. The lyrics also appear to reveal that Cordae is expecting his second child, although he does not identify the mother.
“I’m finna have my second child, although we still ain’t said our vows / Was never my intention to raise my daughter in separate homes / Gave your mom my all, but the love she had for me dead and gone / Although you ain’t a man if you can’t admit it when you was wrong / Can’t see it coming down my eyes, so do it through this song,” Cordae raps.
“Helpless” appears on Heavy Is the Crown, the 11-track collaborative album by Cordae and Anderson .Paak, released on Friday, October 23.
Osaka, meanwhile, has moved on. The former world No. 1 first publicly spoke about her new boyfriend this summer while competing at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C. Asked about the special connection she felt with the city, Osaka appeared slightly unsure of how to describe her relationship before opening up about it.
“I think, obviously, I don’t know if I’m supposed to say partner or my boyfriend. His family’s from here. He grew up here a little bit,” she said. (via Sportskeeda)
Wow racist title 😒