It looks like the once-tight bond between NBA icon LeBron James and rap superstar Drake may be cooling off. Recent events suggest their friendship isn’t as strong as it once was, especially as LeBron continues to vibe with Kendrick Lamar amid the rapper’s ongoing feud with Drake.
On Monday (Feb. 17), LeBron shared an Instagram Story of himself working out with his daughter, Zhuri, with Kendrick’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City playing in the background. Earlier that night, at a Lobos 1707 Tequila event, Kendrick’s Not Like Us was blasting in the club—adding more fuel to the speculation.
The timing is interesting, as Drake just dropped a new album with PartyNextDoor, but LeBron has stayed silent about it. His lack of support for Drake’s latest project stands out, especially given their history of mutual shoutouts and public appreciation.
LeBron Shows Love to Kendrick
This isn’t the first time LeBron has openly supported Kendrick since the Drake-K.Dot rivalry took center stage. He was spotted rapping along to Not Like Us at a party after its release last May, and later during a Lakers game in December. His 40th birthday bash also saw him rapping Kendrick’s Man at the Garden, making it clear where his playlist loyalties lie.
Drake’s Subtle Clapbacks?
Drake, known for addressing personal matters through his lyrics, has seemingly hinted at feeling slighted by LeBron. In December, his Fighting Irish Freestyle dropped cryptic bars about loyalty and shifting friendships, sparking speculation that he was referencing LeBron.
More recently, during a concert in Australia, Drake altered the lyrics to his song Nonstop, which originally referenced LeBron’s jersey numbers. The tweak didn’t go unnoticed, further fueling rumors that their friendship may be on shaky ground.
While Drake has yet to directly respond to LeBron’s recent Kendrick co-signs, all signs point to a shift in their dynamic. Is this just a rough patch, or is their bromance officially over? Only time—and maybe a few more Instagram stories—will tell.
