LeBron James vs. Drake: The Cold War Heats Up as King James Dances to Kendrick Lamar’s “TV Off”

The cold war between LeBron James and Drake just took another turn. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar was caught on camera dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s latest track, TV Off, during a game—sending a clear message in the ongoing tension between the two former friends.

Fans were quick to notice and speculate: Was LeBron taking another jab at Drake? Or was he simply enjoying the music? Either way, this moment only adds fuel to the fire of one of the most unexpected celebrity fallouts in recent memory.

LeBron Caught Vibing to Kendrick Lamar Amidst Feud

On Wednesday night, as the Lakers faced off against the Charlotte Hornets, an intense game was unfolding. With less than five minutes remaining and the Lakers up 88-85, Kendrick’s TV Off blasted through the Crypto.com Arena speakers. That’s when LeBron, the 40-year-old NBA icon, casually danced and mouthed the viral “MUSTAAAARD” lyric—before locking back into the game.

However, despite the moment of fun, the Lakers fell short, losing 100-97. But the real story wasn’t the loss—it was LeBron’s public display of admiration for Kendrick amid his cold war with Drake.

This moment didn’t go unnoticed by fans. Social media exploded with reactions, with some believing LeBron was simply having fun, while others saw it as a calculated move. The fact that he chose to react to a song from Kendrick Lamar, the same rapper who publicly went to war with Drake in 2024, made it impossible to ignore.

A History of LeBron’s Kendrick Lamar Co-Signs

This isn’t the first time LeBron has publicly supported Kendrick over Drake. Earlier this month, he posted photos from the Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks, using Kendrick’s Man at the Garden as the background track—a song he previously rapped along to at his 40th birthday party in December 2024.

LeBron’s love for music is well documented. Over the years, he’s frequently shared his playlists, vibed to his favorite songs, and even previewed unreleased tracks on Instagram Live. But in recent months, his song choices have been heavily skewed towards Kendrick, further solidifying speculation that his friendship with Drake has soured.

Drake vs. LeBron: Where It All Started

The tension between Drake and LeBron seemingly began in June 2024, when the NBA legend attended The Pop Out—Kendrick Lamar’s concert—where he performed Not Like Us, a brutal diss track aimed at the Toronto rapper.

Later in the summer, Steph Curry was heard expressing exhaustion over the song, but LeBron doubled down, admitting he loved it. That subtle endorsement may have been the final straw for Drake, leading to a series of cryptic jabs and calculated moves.

The move surprised many fans because Drake and LeBron had been close for years. Their bond was often displayed publicly, from appearing in commercials together to supporting each other’s ventures. Drake even called LeBron his brother. So, when LeBron didn’t hesitate to embrace Kendrick’s diss tracks, it sent a message: things had changed.

Drake Fires Back With Cryptic Moves & Lyrics

In response, Drake made a statement without words. Following Team USA’s gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, he posted congratulatory photos of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker—but noticeably left out LeBron.

Then, in January 2025, an unreleased track titled Fighting Irish Freestyle leaked online. Fans immediately speculated that Drake was taking direct shots at LeBron, as “Fighting Irish” is a clear reference to St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School, where James played before joining the NBA.

Drake’s Lyrics Take Aim at LeBron

The lyrics in Fighting Irish Freestyle seem deeply personal:

“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.”

These bars hint at LeBron and DeMar DeRozan’s presence at The Pop Out, suggesting that Drake felt betrayed by their support of Kendrick Lamar.

“You would even check up on my son like a pediatrician / Sure convinced the gang this sh*t was rooted in love when it isn’t.”

Another clear shot—Drake accuses LeBron of pretending their friendship was genuine when, in reality, it wasn’t.

And in the most direct attack:

“Talkin’ ’bout we family, well, I’m not the cousin to visit / God forbid we ever got to tarnish your public image.”

These words drip with resentment, suggesting Drake feels LeBron’s public persona is carefully curated—and he’s hinting at things he could expose.

Drake Tweaks His Own Lyrics to Distance from LeBron

If there was any doubt about where Drake stands, he made it even clearer during his Anita Max Win Tour in Australia. While performing his hit Nonstop, he changed the lyrics from:

“How I go from 6 to 23 like I’m LeBron?”

To:

“How I go from 6 to 23, but not LeBron?”

This subtle switch sent shockwaves through fans, solidifying that the friendship is officially over.

What’s Next in the Drake vs. LeBron Drama?

With both LeBron and Drake throwing subliminal shots, it’s unclear how far this feud will go. However, one thing is certain—LeBron James is not backing down, and his support for Kendrick Lamar is more intentional than ever.

The big question now is: Will Drake respond directly? Or will the tension remain an unspoken battle, played out through social media and music?

How Will This Feud Impact LeBron and Drake’s Legacy?

As this cold war between LeBron James and Drake intensifies, one has to wonder—what does this mean for their respective legacies? Both men are icons in their fields, with LeBron dominating basketball and Drake ruling the rap game, but their public fallingout could have lasting implications on how fans perceive them.

For LeBron, this feud is an unusual move. He has built a reputation as a diplomatic and professional athlete, rarely getting involved in public disputes. But by publicly supporting Kendrick Lamar, he’s made it clear that he’s choosing a side—and it’s not Drake’s. Some fans admire his loyalty to Kendrick’s artistry, while others believe he’s risking a friendship over music industry beef.

For Drake, this could be another chapter in his history of celebrity fallouts. He’s had tense relationships with artists like Kanye West, Pusha T, and now Kendrick Lamar, but losing LeBron’s friendship stings differently. LeBron isn’t just another rapper—he’s a global sports icon. Could this shift public perception of Drake, making him appear more isolated in the industry?