TORONTO — The excitement surrounding the release of Drake's new album “Iceman” has swept the internet, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and even reached the White House, following the surprise debut of the project and two additional albums at midnight. On Friday morning, the White House shared a playful edited version of the “Iceman” album cover featuring a diamond-encrusted glove clasping a chain labeled “MAGA,” alongside the caption, “ICED OUT,” on social media platform X.
In Toronto, fans gathered as the CN Tower illuminated with a frosty blue hue during a livestream event that preceded the album's launch. The event kicked off with a track from “Iceman” where Drake reflects on the past two years following a contentious rivalry with Los Angeles rapper Kendrick Lamar. In the song “Make Them Remember,” Drake is seen recording inside an empty Toronto City Hall, even donning the mayor's chain of office while seated at Mayor Olivia Chow's desk.
The jazz-infused track serves as one of the album’s most aggressive pieces, with Drake targeting various adversaries, including Lamar, DeMar DeRozan, and LeBron James. Following the release, Mayor Chow expressed her gratitude in an Instagram post, sharing a note from Drake that referred to her as “Crolivia Chow,” a term from Toronto slang denoting “close friend.” Chow's press secretary remarked on Drake's contribution to the city's representation on the global stage, underscoring his respectful treatment of City Hall during their film shoot.
The video accompanying “Make Them Remember” features Drake relaxing in the council chamber while interacting with Toronto influencer Chromazz. Additionally, Drake released two more albums titled “Habibti” and “Maid of Honour” on Friday.
However, the response to the triple album release has not been universally positive. American rapper Rick Ross took to Instagram to highlight disparaging comments regarding the quality of Drake's latest projects, stating, “Three albums of trash, two years too late.” Ross, who had collaborated successfully with Drake in the past, took jabs at the rapper's career trajectory, suggesting that he has lost his touch.
In a notable instance, Drake seems to retaliate against Ross in his track “Make Them Pay,” implying that he contributed to Ross’s streaming success before the popular Twitch streamer Adin Ross had even begun streaming. The diss track also targets DJ Khaled, questioning his stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, hinting at Khaled's silence amid criticism.
Drake has revisited his feud with Kendrick Lamar throughout “Iceman,” making comments on Lamar's stature in the track “Make Them Remember.” He derisively compares Lamar to 5’3” former NBA player Muggsy Bogues, also addressing fellow NBA players in less flattering terms. In “National Treasures,” Drake seemingly chastises DeRozan, who appeared in Lamar’s diss video, highlighting the contrast in their respective trajectories, especially during the Raptors' championship-winning season.
Despite his criticisms of DeRozan, Drake received some support from the former Raptor’s close friend and teammate Kyle Lowry, who shared the “Iceman” album cover on his Instagram story. The NBA itself offered a nod to Drake’s new releases, with posts celebrating the artist's connection to Toronto.
Moreover, Drake does not shy away from addressing LeBron James, who was seen supporting Kendrick Lamar. He implied James's divisive team-switching nature, which has been a point of contention throughout James’s career in the pursuit of championships.
As the music world reacts, several players expressed their enthusiasm for Drake’s albums, including Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, who humorously noted that there were “no playoff games” due to Drake’s presence, while all-star Trae Young emphasized the importance of Drake's release. The release event culminated in a campaign that featured large ice blocks in downtown Toronto, hinting at the album’s title. This strategic promotion captured significant public attention leading up to the much-anticipated drop.
