From LeBron to DeRozan: Breaking down the sports references on Drake’s new triple-album

No musical artist, past or present, has immersed themselves in the culture and subeconomy of sport more than Canada’s very own Aubrey “Drake” Graham — and the infatuation is mutual. As Drake streamed his newest music live to the world Thursday night, athletes took to social media immediately to react.

Longtime OVO supporter, Kevin Durant made the trip to Toronto to attend Drake’s album release party at Casa Loma.

In the hours after, sports teams joined in, creating related memes in an attempt to capitalize on Drake’s ability to capture attention in the ever-fragmented online universe.

Drake’s ties to sports are longstanding. He’s partnered with FIFA to promote the upcoming 2026 Men’s World Cup (it is speculated he’ll be the performer for the World Cup final’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show), has collaborated with ESPN to curate music for its NFL football coverage, and Canadians need no reminder that he’s been the Toronto Raptors’ Global Ambassador since 2013. 

On this album, though, the sports connotations reach an even greater level.

In fact, sports references and analogies are a reoccurring theme in his latest creative release, the much-awaited ‘Iceman’, plus surprise bonus albums Habibti and Maid of Honour.

One of the best songs in this trilogy is even titled WNBA, on the heels of Canada’s first-ever WNBA team recording their first win.

Top 5 sports-related lyrics on new albums

The triple-album — consisting of 43 tracks — is loaded with lyrics playing off of Drake’s love for sport. Let’s distill the conversation happening in group chats and in barber shops and narrow it down. Here’s a comprehensive ranking of the top five sports-related lyrics that “the boy” just dropped.

Honourable mention: Jalen Hurts mention on Make Them Pay.

“And I face the way they paint me, but it Hurts just like the Philly Eagles.”

Drake relates to being a scapegoat in the way that Hurts does as the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. Make Them Pay also features a reference to former NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas as Drake referenced being “inside arenas like Gilbert Arenas” a double entendre as Arenas was infamously suspended for bringing a firearm inside an NBA arena.

5. Stephen Curry mention on 2 Hard 4 the Radio

“Back when they was asking about where Davidson was at… now everybody got a blue 30 on they back.”

No athlete has been referenced over the years more by Drake than Wardell Stephen Curry II. Drake shouted out Curry with bars on 0 to 100, Still Here, and Summer Sixteen with the most famous being “I been Steph Curry with the shot. Been cookin’ with the sauce, Chef Curry with the pot, boy 360 with the wrist, boy.”

This album is no different, and this lyric referencing Curry’s college days at Davidson gives the previous work a run for its money. And yes, Drake has a tattoo of Stephen Curry’s jersey on his body if you’re scoring at home.

4. LeBron James references on Make Them Remember

“I shouldn’t even be shocked to see you in that arena, because you always made your career off of switching teams up.”

“Please stop asking what’s going on with 23 and me.”

Drake and LeBron went from friends and business partners to foes. The situation is so serious Drake had his tattoo of LeBron’s jersey covered up with a tat of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder jersey. This was all over LeBron being seen multiple times dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us, including at Lamar’s infamous Pop Out concert. Drake references James’s habit of switching allegiances and is making it evident that James can stay on that side.

Make Them Remember also features the line: “And Muggsy Bogues dunked for once, even I’m a bit amazed” taking a subliminal shot at both Kendrick Lamar’s height (or lack thereof) and the fact that Not Like Us was an anomaly as far as hit records for Lamar.

3. PSG reference on Firm Friends

“My son is takin’ corner kicks in front of Luis Enrique at PSG. And y’all are talkin’ ’bout inflatin’ the numbers on DSPs.”

DSPs stands for digital music providers. Drake is referencing the controversy surrounding allegations of inflated stream numbers while flexing that he has enough pull to have his son Adonis on the pitch at PSG.

2. SGA reference on Hurr Nor Thurr

“I told you to stop comparin’ yourself ’cause it’s not a race. You flew out and Shai gave your boyfriend a thirty-piece all in your face.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Drake are close friends, with the MVP often seen rapping Drake’s lyrics during pre-game warmups and even making a cameo in Drake’s “Nokia” music video. But this lyric is partly showing love to SGA and partly taking a shot at him, given that it’s rumoured that both men had interest in the same woman. Google it.

1. DeMar DeRozan mentioned on National Treasure

“When you was a part of the team, we used to be planning our Mexico trip in the spring.

We must’ve been dealin’ the spur of the moment.

’Cause why did we think you could get us a ring?

They braggin’ ’bout how you went home, the (expletive) are they on?

Crodie, we threw ’em away.

G Pop sent us a real one from Daygo.

And next thing you knew, we was throwing parades.”

This one might have Canadian basketball fans torn but it’s a shot that’s far from subliminal. Drake takes aim at former Toronto Raptor, DeMar DeRozan, who once was a close friend, until DeRozan, a Compton native, appeared at Kendrick Lamar’s Pop Out show on stage in LA, dancing to Lamar’s diss record about Drake, Not Like Us, which played six consecutive times. DeRozan also starred in the music video.

Drake touches on a sore spot for DeRozan, highlighting the fact that DeRozan perennially lost in the playoffs early enough to go on vacation in the spring and was traded to the Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, who immediately led the Raptors to a championship win. Considering Drake, the king of petty, has made a point to sit courtside when DeRozan is back in town and stare him down, and threw his jersey while on stage, this public shot on wax is no surprise. It’s safe to say this beef isn’t getting squashed anytime soon.

 This song certainly isn’t helping. But the wordplay is as clever as it is ruthless.