For over thirty years, hip-hop and NBA basketball have maintained a close relationship, frequently intersecting through collaborations and mutual admiration. Rappers often reference NBA stars in their lyrics, while top basketball players engage in the music world beyond the court. This dynamic is evident in the connection between rapper Drake and basketball icons such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, who share common interests and social circles, blending sports, entertainment, and investment ventures.
Drake and LeBron James: Friendship Tested by Rap Rivalry
Drake and LeBron James enjoy a friendship that transcends mere fandom, having celebrated milestones and personal moments together. In 2023, following LeBron’s cardiac arrest and recovery, Drake even brought LeBron’s son Bronny on stage, showing their close ties. However, the longstanding relationship faced tension in 2024 when LeBron publicly supported Kendrick Lamar, who was embroiled in a beef with Drake. This allegiance complicates the personal and professional landscape, especially as Drake maintains friendly relations with other NBA players like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
Brandon Jennings Offers Perspective on the Drake and LeBron Divide
Drake’s recent lyrics targeting LeBron James in songs and leaked freestyles have sparked widespread media discussions. On the opposite side, former NBA player Brandon Jennings defended LeBron by highlighting past events. Jennings pointed out that Drake had celebrated with Durant and Curry during their NBA Finals victories over LeBron’s teams. He remarked,
“They was celebrating, Drake and them was celebrating with KD and Steph when they was whooping their a** in the Finals. So what’s the difference? And that’s his biggest moment too. So how do you think he’s gonna feel? It’s petty, but I’m just saying, if I’m losing in the Finals, and these are my rivals, and y’all gonna be here ki-kiing and laughing and celebrating, which is fine too, but it’s like alright, whoa. It’s not even your time, the song just happened to be about you.” —Brandon Jennings, Former NBA Player
Jennings’ comments suggest that Drake’s reaction to LeBron’s embrace of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track might be hypocritical, as he previously aligned with opponents of LeBron during significant moments. This analogy by Jennings draws attention to the complexities of loyalty and rivalry within the intertwined worlds of basketball and hip-hop.
LeBron James Remains Unbothered Amid Drake’s Criticism
Drake’s direct references to LeBron in his track What Did I Miss? included lines such as,
I saw bro at the Pop Out with them but been d**k-riding gang since ‘Headlines’
which allude to LeBron’s attendance at Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth Pop Out concert in 2024, where LeBron was seen enjoying Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” aimed at Drake. Despite these lyrical jabs, LeBron’s demeanor appears unaffected.
Additional provocations arose during Drake’s performance at the Wireless Festival in London in July 2025, where he altered the lyrics of his song “Nonstop” to include the line,
How I go from 6 to 23, but not LeBron?
, targeting LeBron by contrasting his own legacy with James’. Drake also covered up a tattoo of LeBron’s high school jersey, replacing it with one representing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, subtly signaling the intensification of their feud.
Meanwhile, LeBron and his wife Savannah have been seen enjoying the controversial song “Not Like Us” during their vacation events in Cannes, in the company of close associates such as Maverick Carter and notable personalities like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. These moments were captured in viral clips, underscoring LeBron’s apparent disregard for Drake’s disses and his confidence in confronting the ongoing rivalry.
Contextualizing the Drake-LeBron Rivalry Within Sports and Entertainment
The conflicts surrounding Drake and LeBron James reflect deeper intersections between sports, music, and popular culture, where personal relationships and professional competition collide. Drake’s alliances with players like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant contrast sharply with LeBron’s alignment with Kendrick Lamar, feeding ongoing tensions. Public reactions, as shown through social media and sports forums, illustrate the fervor with which fans and commentators engage with these high-profile personalities.
Brandon Jennings and Gilbert Arenas have both contributed to the discourse by framing the dispute within contexts of loyalty and celebration. Their perspectives highlight how past interactions and public displays of camaraderie influence the interpretation of current events. Jennings’ sound analogy, in particular, clarifies why LeBron’s enjoyment of Lamar’s track can be seen as a natural response to Drake celebrating with his opponents during the NBA Finals.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of This Feud on NBA and Hip-Hop Relations
As the Drake and LeBron James beef continues to develop, its influence extends beyond mere entertainment gossip, affecting fan dynamics and how celebrities from different industries engage with one another. The persistence of these tensions may lead to evolving alliances both on and off the court, shifting how players and artists express solidarity or rivalry publicly.
For now, LeBron’s composed response and Jennings’ defense suggest that this dispute may deepen but will also provoke further discussion about respect, rivalry, and friendship in the overlapping worlds of hip-hop and professional basketball, where personal history often informs public conflict.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does LeBron James sleep 12 hours?
A. Professional athletes use a lot more energy than most people, so they usually sleep more than the suggested 8 hours. For instance, LeBron James typically gets around 12 hours of sleep each night. This is remarkable, especially since top athletes frequently travel for games, which can make it difficult to rest well.