Drake Takes a Jab at LeBron James During Australia Concert: ‘Not LeBron, Man’
Drake is making waves once again, this time with a subtle yet pointed jab at NBA superstar LeBron James during the launch of his Anita Max Win tour in Australia. The Grammy-winning artist, known for his clever wordplay and sometimes cryptic lyrics, used his Perth show on February 4 to shift the lines of one of his biggest hits, “Nonstop,” leaving fans and critics alike wondering what might be brewing between the two icons.
In the original 2018 version of “Nonstop,” Drake raps, “How I go from 6 to 23 like I’m LeBron?” This lyric alluded to his rise in the rap game, drawing a parallel to LeBron’s transition from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ number 23 jersey to his eventual championship-winning dominance. However, during the February 4 concert, Drake tweaked the line, throwing a subtle but sharp shade: “How do I go from 6 to 23 but not LeBron, man?” The change is significant and suggests more than just a lyrical shift—it hints at unresolved tensions that have been simmering between the rapper and the basketball legend over the past year.
Drake’s altercation with LeBron’s camp has been the subject of speculation for some time, especially following the release of his “Fighting Irish Freestyle.” In that track, which is named after LeBron’s high school mascot, the rapper throws multiple shots at his former friend, even referencing LeBron’s presence at Kendrick Lamar’s Pop Out concert the previous summer. With lines like, “The world fell in love with the gimmicks, even my brothers got tickets / Seemed like they loved every minute,” it’s clear Drake feels some kind of betrayal, one rooted in more than just business.
This isn’t the first time Drake has addressed his strained relationship with LeBron. The rapper has often spoken about their once-close bond, which seemed to be more than just casual friendship. “Remember we tradin’ watches? I gave you that Arabic dial, you gave me a numbered edition,” Drake rapped in the freestyle, referencing the intimate moments and exchanges they once shared. He continued to reveal the depth of their falling out, adding, “You would even check up on my son like a pediatrician / Sure convinced the gang this shit was rooted in love when it isn’t.” It’s clear that Drake feels a sense of betrayal, even while acknowledging the connection that once existed.
The conflict comes as a larger part of Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. In the same freestyle, the 6 God makes it evident that the tension between him and LeBron is also linked to his issues with Kendrick. He raps about how his relationship with both individuals has soured, speaking to the broken bonds of what once seemed like strong alliances. “I guess now you boys gotta abandon your summer tradition / Cold shoulders I gave in the Hamptons, it come with the distance,” Drake spits, capturing the feeling of distance and betrayal that has arisen between the stars.
Drake’s reference to “summer tradition” might evoke the image of the good old days, a time when he, LeBron, and Kendrick would be seen together, unified under a shared camaraderie. But as the rapper confesses in his lines, “I was sadly mistaken, the loyalty wasn’t a given,” it’s apparent that he now views those moments as false security, one that has been shattered by unseen fractures.
Throughout this entire episode, Drake has made it clear that loyalty and personal bonds mean a great deal to him. His latest words appear to resonate with a sense of disillusionment with not just LeBron, but the industry in general. Yet, despite all the drama and the tension that seems to follow him, Drake’s closing statement at the concert was a powerful reminder of his place in the game: “My name is Drake. I started doing music in 2008. I come all the way from Toronto, Canada. The year is now 2025, and no matter what, Drizzy Drake is very much alive and that’s all thanks to you. I love you.”
In the end, while the world watches and waits for the next development in Drake’s ongoing saga with LeBron, it’s clear that the rapper isn’t backing down from speaking his truth—no matter who might be hurt along the way. As the artist continues his tour, fans are left to wonder if this subtle jab at LeBron is only the beginning of a more public airing of grievances, or if the two will eventually reconcile and let bygones be bygones.
For now, Drake’s tour continues to roll on, with the rapper in full command of his stage presence, as he reminds us all that no matter the drama, Drizzy Drake is still on top.
