Drake’s loyalty to LeBron James just went up in smoke. The Canadian rapper shocked NBA fans this week when he stepped on stage at London’s Wireless Festival with a completely different tattoo on his left bicep. What used to be a tribute to James’ high school now honors Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander instead.
James and Drake are both masters at their respective crafts. While James spent the last two decades on the path to becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Drake worked his way up the music ladder, evolving into one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. The rapper and NBA superstar used to be very close, but a strong friendship has turned into a bitter and frosty relationship.
What Made Drake Cover Up His LeBron James Tattoo?
While James has been enjoying some downtime over the offseason, Drake is back on the circuit, performing at the 2025 Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, London this week. The Canadian rapper always puts on a great show, but fans noticed something different about the artist when he stepped on stage.
It appears that Drake has covered up his James St. Vincent-St. Mary High School-inspired tattoo. The tattoo, which used to be clearly visible on his left bicep, is now a tribute to Toronto-born Gilgeous-Alexander, who just won the NBA championship last month.
Drake covered up his LeBron tattoo for an SGA tattoo pic.twitter.com/bK7KBISd0s
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 12, 2025
NBA fans were left stunned after Drake took drastic steps to cover up the tattoo, and many took to social media to discuss the bold move.
“No way this is real,” commented one fan on X.
“Turned a legendary tat to whatever tf that is,” was the response from one fan.
turned a legendary tat to whatever tf that is
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) July 12, 2025
“This wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025,” said one fan.
This wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025 pic.twitter.com/oDQUxTTKbz
— ESSENTIAL (@essentialceo) July 12, 2025
Some fans even started to take sides, with one fan sharing that Drake’s actions were justified.
“Bron turned on Drake bro… it is what it is,” said a fan.
That fan’s reaction hints at a deeper story behind the friendship’s collapse. The root of their falling out traces back to the music industry’s biggest rap feud.
Why Did James and Drake’s Friendship Turn Sour?
The rivalry between James and Drake can be linked to the artist’s beef with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. The two musicians were involved in a highly publicized quarrel, with both sides taking shots at each other. Lamar released a diss track against Drake titled “Not Like Us,” which didn’t sit well with the rapper.
After James was spotted at Lamar’s concert on Juneteenth last year, it was clear that the Los Angeles Lakers forward was siding with the rapper in this feud.
“Well the real reason is…just Drake being mad LeBron supported Kendrick on stage at his concert in LA,” said a fan.
“They mad cause LeBron went to Kendrick’s pop out show,” commented one account.
They mad cause LeBron went to Kendrick’s pop out show 😂😂
— Pedro Martinez (@blight1895) July 12, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander is a worthy and deserving player when you are thinking about getting a tattoo. The talented guard was the 2025 league MVP and has become a global icon after leading the Thunder to the franchise’s first championship in 46 years. Still, Drake’s latest act seems more like a dig at James than it does a tribute to the talented Canadian basketball star.
