Canadian rapper Drake made headlines during the recent Twenty Years of Wireless festival in London by showcasing a new tattoo that replaces his previous tribute to NBA superstar LeBron James. The tattoo, now featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s jersey number, reflects a significant shift in Drake’s allegiance amid rising tensions between the rapper and the Los Angeles Lakers player.
Drake, who headlined the festival over three days, revealed that he had covered the tattoo of James’ St. Vincent/St. Mary’s jersey with the number 23. In its place, he now sports a tattoo of Gilgeous-Alexander’s number 2 and the word “Thunder,” paying homage to the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, who has emerged as one of the league’s premier talents. Both Drake and Gilgeous-Alexander share their roots in Toronto.
The change comes on the heels of a successful season for Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP after leading the Thunder to their first championship. The team triumphed over the Indiana Pacers in a dramatic seven-game series. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged an impressive 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists during the 2024-25 season, solidifying his status as a rising star in the league.
Drake’s decision to remove the LeBron tattoo seems to correlate with his recent music releases that hint at growing tensions with James. In his new single “What Did I Miss?”, Drake references James attending a concert by Kendrick Lamar on Juneteenth, which followed a highly publicized feud between the two artists. The lyric, “I saw bro went to Pop Out with them,” suggests a sense of betrayal, particularly given the backdrop of their competitive relationship.
In January, Drake released another single, “Fighting Irish Freestyle,” which appeared to take a jab at James. The lyrics expressed discontent with the way some individuals, including James and Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan, are perceived in the music and sports worlds. “The world fell in love with the gimmicks, even my brothers got tickets,” he rapped, further emphasizing this point.
The rapper’s performances have also reflected this shift. In February, during a concert in Perth, Drake altered the lyrics to his hit song “Nonstop,” changing “How I go from six to 23 like I’m LeBron?” to “How I go from six to 23 but not LeBron, man.” This alteration signals a move away from glorifying James and towards celebrating Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise.
As the entertainment and sports worlds continue to intersect, Drake’s tattoo transformation serves as a striking metaphor for changing allegiances in both arenas. The dynamic relationship between music and basketball will undoubtedly be a focal point as the next NBA season approaches, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander’s growing influence and Drake’s continued prominence in the music industry.
