Drake‘s latest drop, “Fighting Irish Freestyle” has caused a stir due to most realizing that the Toronto rapper is calling out LeBron James on the track. While he is likely just one of many targets, the song’s title (‘The Fighting Irish’ is the name of Lebron’s high school mascot) and some pretty specific bars point to James being the main addressee.
While many are questioning Drake’s decision to air out his feelings with an old friend publicly, others are citing the pair’s shared history as a legitimate reason for the “Family Matters” artist to feel betrayed, as LeBron has publicly embraced Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss aimed at him, and was recently seen reciting lyrics from K. Dot’s “man at the garden.”
Streamer DJ Akademiks is the latest to weigh-in, alleging that Drake helped LeBron cheat on wife Savannah James in the past, and questioning why the baller would turn on the MC. This claim, however, should be taken with a grain of salt.
As the tension continues to build between these former friends, take a look back at their relationship timeline for context on just how close the pair were before Summer ’24.
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Drake’s ‘So Far Gone’ Mixtape Release Party- 2009
Image Credit: OVO. LeBron and Drake‘s relationship first began to blossom following the baller showing up to Drizzy’s Toronto So Far Gone mixtape release party in February 2009. Drake spoke of the moment in 2019 while celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the classic tape.
“A decade ago you came to my release party at 6 Degrees and made me the biggest artist in the city off your presence alone,” Drake wrote of LeBron in a since-deleted Instagram post. He also discussed the moment on Uninterrupted, acknowledging James’ presence at the party as a pivotal moment in his career.
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JAY-Z Afterparty – 2010
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) The pair continued to support one another and strengthen their friendship with texts, calls, and occasional outings, including Drake‘s 26th birthday party and both gentlemen attending JAY-Z’s official Madison Square Garden Concert After Party at Hov’s now defunct 40/40 Club.
NEW YORK – MARCH 02: (L-R) Drake and LeBron James attend Jay-Z’s Official Madison Square Garden Concert After Party at the 40 / 40 Club on March 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
NEW YORK – MARCH 02: (L-R) Drake, “OG” Juan Perez, LeBron James, and Jay-Z attend Jay-Z’s Official Madison Square Garden Concert After Party at the 40 / 40 Club on March 2, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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“Tonight Is Your Night” – 2011
Image Credit: Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images The pair continued to build their relationship over the next few years, regularly texting each other via their Blackberrys with encouraging words ahead of major games and career milestones. In 2011, Drake texted (Miami Heat player at the time) LeBron, “Tonight is your night” ahead of his face-off with Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals that year.
“I always let him know that it’s his night,” Drake told Yahoo! Sports of their supportive relationship at the time. “Let’s get it, let’s go out there with a clear mind and forget all the other stuff going on and just stay focused on the task. That ring. Tonight, I told him it was his night. And it was his night tonight.”
James went on to describe himself and Drake as “real family” within the same interview.
“What we have is real family,” James said at the time. “It’s not just because we are successful at what we do. We really care about one another on a day-to-day basis. Anytime you get a friend that can come and support you in what you do, I really respect that.”
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Family Ties – 2011-2023
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Remy Martin) For over a decade, Drake and LeBron would show up for the other’s various achievements, parties, and even family gatherings, with Drake attending LeBron’s son, Bronny’s, high school basketball games and LeBron complimenting Drake on becoming a parent himself.
“We’ve grown closer and closer every year, and I’m proud of who he is today,” James said of his pal in 2018 on The Shop. “Not only as an artist, not only as a son but as a father.”
Check out snaps of the duo from several events below. Be sure to check the captions for dates and context!
LeBron James and Drake attend the 5th Annual “Two Kings” Dinner at Craft on February 19, 2011 in Century City, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Drake and LeBron James attend The Two Kings Dinner presented by Sprite at RDG + Bar Annie on February 16, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
(L-R) Drake, Kevin Hart and LeBron James attend the Beats In The Six And Drake Welcome Dinner at Fring’s on February 11, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
Kevin Hart will lose his drink to LeBron James who passes it onto Drake during the 65th NBA All-Star Game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. February 14, 2016. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference is introduced and greeted by rapper Drake on stage before the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Centre on February 14, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario.
(L-R) Lebron James and Drake attend the Drake And Lebron James Pool Party In Toronto For Caribana 2017 on August 5, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Remy Martin)
CEO UNINTERRUPTED Canada Scott Moore, UNINTERRUPTED CCO Vinay Virami, Rapper Drake, NBA Player Lebron James and Maverick Carter attend the Uninterrupted Canada Launch held at Louis Louis at The St. Regis Toronto on August 02, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images)
Diego Osorio, LeBron James and Drake attend the Lobos 1707 Official Launch into Canadian market at Harbour 60 in Toronto, Ontario, 2019. (Photo by Ryan Emberley/Getty Images for Lobos 1707).
Drake and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk after the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Lakers at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. -
“Not Like Us” – 2024
Image Credit: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Cash App.
While Drake engaged in two major rap feuds (Meek Mill and Pusha T) during his friendship with LeBron, Kendrick Lamar diss track “Not Like Us” seems to have brought a rift between the longtime friends.
Other NBA buddies of Drake’s have either established their loyalty — like Kevin Durant — or said they’re just plain tired of hearing the song — like Steph Curry. James, on the other hand, leaned into the viral earworm, saying he “loves” the track and attending K. Dot’s Pop-Out show during the peak of the song’s popularity.
Considering the track’s contents and their shared history, Drake has taken issue with LeBron’s affinity for the record.
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“man at the garden” – 2024
In addition to embracing “Not Like Us,” LeBron was filmed at his 40th birthday party reciting lyrics to Kendrick Lamar’s “man at the garden.”
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“Fighting Irish Freestyle” – 2025
While Drake didn’t name names, it is pretty obvious that he is speaking of feeling betrayed by James on his latest “Fighting Irish Freestyle,” where he speaks of his “brothers” turning on him after his rap feud loss to Kendrick.
“The world fell in love with the gimmicks, even my brothers got tickets/ Seemed like they loved every minute, just know this sh*t is personal to us, and it wasn’t just business.” He later added, “Sure convinced the gang this sh*t is rooted in love when it isn’t… I guess now you boys got to abandon your summer tradition/ Cold shoulders I gave in the Hamptons, it come with the distance
Figured we was always gon’ be close, like ovens and kitchens/ I was sadly mistaken, the loyalty wasn’t a given.”James has yet to respond to Drake’s “Fighting Irish Freestyle.” Listen to the track below.
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