Drake’s “Iceman” rollout just got messier. A five-minute track titled “1 AM in Albany” leaked online on Wednesday, one day before the Canadian rapper’s ninth studio album is set to drop. The song reignited two of his most public ongoing feuds with Kendrick Lamar and LeBron James.
The NBA world immediately picked the verses apart, and Drake’s diss prompted some strong reactions.
NBA World Reacts to Drake’s Diss of Lakers Star LeBron James
Here’s the line getting the most attention: “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, I’m a real n****, and he’s not, it’s in my DNA.”
The “switching teams up” jab calls out James for jumping from Cleveland to Miami, back to Cleveland, then Los Angeles. Drake and James had been friends for many years. Drake even had James’ tattoo on his arm, one that’s since been covered up and replaced with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The tension started during Drake’s 2024 feud with Kendrick Lamar, when James picked a side. He attended Lamar’s “The Pop Out” concert in Los Angeles that summer, was seen vibing to “Not Like Us” multiple times in public, and Drake took notice.
Shortly after, Drake unfollowed James on Instagram. Subtle and not-so-subtle shots have surfaced in Drake’s music ever since, including a verse on the “Fighting Irish” freestyle.
After “1 AM in Albany” leaked, the NBA world had mixed reactions to the beef.
“Drake still in my top 5, but sneak dissing LeBron James years later is childish ngl,” one user wrote. “Bro still hurt, and dissing a non-rapper for reactions ain’t real rap beef.”
Drake still in my top 5, but sneak dissing LeBron James years later is childish ngl. Bro still hurt, and dissing a non-rapper for reactions ain’t real rap beef https://t.co/gASYbXMqgs
— 🪬☥ 𝐋𝐞𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐬𓂀♿️ (@petitclairpeter) May 14, 2026
“Drake vs Kendrick aside, I feel like all his shots at LeBron are justified,” one observer argued. “Bro didn’t have to involve himself at all, especially when Drake supported Bronny after the heart attack. I like LeBron but he was bogus as hell for that.”
Drake vs Kendrick aside, I feel like all his shots at LeBron are justified. Bro didn’t have to involve himself at all, especially when Drake supported Bronny after the heart attack. I like LeBron but he was bogus as hell for that
— x (@elroy__preston) May 14, 2026
“Drake has been crying about LeBron for 2 years lmao,” one user added.
One Lakers influencer was just tired of the discourse.
“Genuinely wish Drake didn’t mention Lebron or Kendrick so we could move on from this discourse but here we are,” he wrote.
Genuinely wish Drake didn’t mention Lebron or Kendrick so we could move on from this discourse but here we are.
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) May 14, 2026
“Anytime drake says anything about Lebron it’s hilarious because he’s the same person who got a tattoo of high school LeBron on his arm,” one influencer added.
Anytime drake says anything about Lebron it’s hilarious because he’s the same person who got a tattoo of high school LeBron on his arm https://t.co/VtmXUhACDm
— John (@iam_johnw) May 14, 2026
Complex asked James about the situation last year and he didn’t rock the boat. “Always wish him the best. Obviously, um, different places right now. He’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine. But it’s always love, for sure.”
Obviously, Drake hasn’t returned the same energy. “1 AM in Albany” is the third time Drake has dissed LeBron in roughly two years.
The “1 AM in Albany” timestamp format mirrors previous Drake tracks (like “9 AM in Dallas” and “5 AM in Toronto”) that historically feature direct commentary on his industry standing.
Drake’s “Iceman” officially drops on Friday, and whether or not “1 AM in Albany” makes the tracklist, the LeBron conversation is already off and running ahead of the album.
James just wrapped up his 23rd NBA season and his eighth with the Lakers. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and all eyes are on the King to see if he’ll return for Year 24 and, if so, which team he’ll suit up for.
