LeBron James stirred controversy after he skipped Toronto’s annual Caribana weekend in August 2025, triggering a public reaction from Drake’s close associate, OVO Chubbs. On August 3, 2025, X user Kurrco shared a screenshot showing Chubbs’ Instagram Story, where the OVO affiliate highlighted LeBron’s absence in a tone that seemed playful but pointed, adding fuel to ongoing speculation.
OVO Chubbs’ Instagram Story stated:
“Mans stayed home this Banna??? Lolololol Thought it was tradition”
LeBron has frequently attended the Caribana festivities since 2017, often alongside Drake at well-known spots like Lavelle and Cabana Pool Bar. However, his decision not to participate in this year’s event, coupled with Chubbs’ comment, sparked rumors about a possible strain in the relationship between the basketball superstar and the Toronto rapper.
Mixed Reactions Emerge Following Chubbs’ Remarks
The screenshot from X quickly attracted various responses from social media users. Some took Chubbs’ message lightly, while others expressed that it represented genuine disappointment over a tradition now broken. Criticism was also directed at OVO Chubbs for publicly calling out LeBron about his absence at the Caribana festival.
“These guys are pushing 40+ years old, acting like high school gossipers,”
commented one X user, reflecting frustration over the maturity of those involved. Additional criticism included remarks about Chubbs’ tendency to confront individuals linked to Drake’s current grievances:
“Chubbs has been taking shots at everyone that Drake currently doesn’t like,”
“Chubbs still ain’t crash nothin,”
“who does chubbs think he is? bro you are only known as drake’s right hand man…this is LEBRON james,”
Despite this backlash, other commentators sympathized with Chubbs, arguing that LeBron’s longstanding friendship with Drake made his no-show feel more meaningful and personal.
“Shame on Lebron,”
“Worst thing is bron could have pulled upped and talked it out,”
“I think out of everything in this beef , LeBron going to the pop-out show hurt Drake the most,”
The Changing Nature of LeBron James and Drake’s Relationship
LeBron James and Drake once enjoyed a prominent, publicly celebrated friendship that began in 2007 and flourished over the following decade. Notably, the two shared several moments on stage and in media, including a 2018 Los Angeles concert where LeBron performed alongside Drake, showcasing their closeness amidst a crowd of fans.
Drake also supported LeBron’s son, Bronny James, by wearing his AAU jersey in the 2019 “Money in the Grave” music video. Both LeBron and Bronny appeared on Drake’s “It’s All A Blur” tour in 2023, further affirming their camaraderie.
However, this strong bond began to show signs of strain in 2024, coinciding with the heated rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. This conflict put mutual friends, including LeBron, in delicate positions. While some <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA stars such as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant chose to remain silent, LeBron initially responded in a measured way.
On April 14, 2024, LeBron posted an owl emoji—a nod to Drake’s OVO brand—accompanied by fire emojis at the start of the feud on social media. Moments later, LeBron tweeted:
“Nothing like 2 heavyweights doing What They Do Best! For the love off of the sport”
This was widely interpreted as LeBron appreciating the rivalry, especially as Drake’s “First Person Shooter” and Lamar’s “Like That” were gaining attention on streaming platforms.
Escalating Tensions During Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s Rap Feud
Following this, tensions escalated rapidly. Lamar responded with diss tracks “Euphoria” and “6:16 in LA” targeting Drake’s “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” Drake fired back with “Family Matters” and “Buried Alive Interlude, Pt. 2,” but Lamar’s retaliations intensified with the release of “Not Like Us,” branding Drake a certified p*dophile.
Lamar directly addressed public figures associated with Drake in “Meet the Grahams,” specifically calling out LeBron James and Stephen Curry with the verse:
“Ayy, LeBron, keep the family away, hey, Curry, keep the family away / To anybody that embody the love for their kids, keep the family away / They lookin’ at you too if you standin’ by him, keep the family away”
This public challenge magnified the visible rift between LeBron and Drake.
Shifting Alliances and High-Profile Appearances
In June 2024, LeBron appeared at Kendrick Lamar’s “The Pop Out” concert in Inglewood, California, where video footage showed him enjoying the live performances of Lamar’s diss tracks. Meanwhile, Drake revised lyrics to his 2018 hit “Nonstop” during a February 2025 performance, removing a direct mention of LeBron and replacing it with:
“How I go from 6 to 23 but not LeBron, man”
Earlier in 2025, Drake was also seen covering a tattoo of LeBron James with one honoring Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, signaling a possible distancing.
LeBron seemingly responded by singing Lamar’s diss, “Not Like Us,” at a private gathering that included figures like Jeff Bezos, while also appearing alongside Pusha T, a well-known Drake rival, in a music video for Tyler, the Creator.
Despite all these signs, neither LeBron James nor Drake have openly addressed their potential feud.
Current Status and Future Outlook for LeBron James and Drake
LeBron is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, with his contract entering its final year after an extension accepted in June 2025. Drake, on the other hand, released “Some Sexy Songs 4 U,” a collaborative album with PartyNextDoor, on February 14, 2025 under the OVO Sound label.
The LeBron James Caribana skip controversy adds a new chapter to the ongoing tension between the two stars, attracting significant public attention and speculation about their relationship’s future. How they will address these frictions or reunite remains uncertain but will likely influence both their personal ties and public interactions moving forward.