On July 4, 2025, Canadian rapper Drake surprised fans with the release of a new single titled "What Did I Miss?" alongside a unique YouTube livestream event called Iceman Episode 1. This marked the beginning of what appears to be a new chapter in his career, teasing his ninth studio album, potentially named Iceman. The song and stream offered a deep dive into Drake's ongoing beef with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, as well as reflections on loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of fame.
The beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been simmering since October 2023, ignited when Drake dropped "First Person Shooter," featuring J. Cole. Cole dubbed himself, Drake, and Lamar the "Big Three" of modern hip-hop, a label Lamar quickly rejected in his verse on "Like That," asserting it was just "big me." The rivalry escalated with diss tracks exchanged on both sides, culminating in Lamar performing his diss "Not Like Us" during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. This feud has become one of the most talked-about conflicts in recent hip-hop history.
Drake’s new single "What Did I Miss?" largely targets those who played both sides of the feud, calling out fake friends and those who switched allegiances. The song’s lyrics are sharp and introspective, with Drake confronting betrayal head-on. He raps, "I don't give a fk if you love me, I don't give a fk if you like me / Askin' me, 'How did it feel?' / Can't say it didn't surprise me / Last time I looked to my right, you nias was standing beside me / How can some people I love hang around psies who try me? Let's go / What did I miss?"
Produced by a powerhouse team including London Cyr, O Lil Angel, DJ Lewis, Tay Keith, OZ, FNZ, Elyas, Gyz, and Patron, the track blends hard-hitting rap with subtle subliminal disses rather than overt shots. Some lines hint at specific figures in Drake’s circle and the hip-hop community. For instance, Drake seems to jab at Future, who supported Kendrick Lamar on the track "Like That," with the lyric, "You switched on the guys and supported a hater, let's go / What's the get-back for ni*as? It's TBD / I look at this sht like a BTC / Could be down this week, then I'm up next week." Social media also speculated that a line referencing someone getting "punched in the face on some TLC sht" might allude to an incident involving Rick Ross at a Canadian show in 2024, though Ross denied being hit.
One particularly pointed lyric references Lamar’s "Pop Out" concert from June 2024: "I saw bro went to Pop Out with them, but been d*k riding gang since 'Headlines.'" While Drake doesn’t name names here, speculation has swirled around NBA stars LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan, both of whom attended Lamar’s show and have known ties to Drake. This line underscores the theme of perceived disloyalty that runs throughout the track.
Complementing the single’s release, Drake’s Iceman Episode 1 livestream was a multi-faceted event held in an industrial-style warehouse in Toronto, heavily branded with "Iceman" visuals. The video showed Drake playing the role of an employee at the Iceman warehouse—a real ice supplier in his hometown—checking ice and taking a lunch break while watching his own "What Did I Miss?" video on a TV. The stream also featured him driving an Iceman-branded truck around Toronto, eating food, and performing the song live. The event drew a crowd, mostly supportive, though Drake did respond angrily to a fan who attempted to diss him during the stream.
Visual elements of the video added layers to the narrative. At one point, Drake stands outside a home surrounded by guns, referencing National Geographic photographer Gabriele Galimberti’s 2020 photo series "The Ameriguns," which explores gun culture in America. This imagery reinforces the themes of conflict and protection woven throughout the song and the broader album concept.
The name Iceman itself sparked curiosity. It could be a nod to the Toronto ice supplier, a personal nickname, or even a reference to the Marvel Comics character from the X-Men universe. Comic book writer Mike Carey describes Iceman as "devastatingly honest" and "very up-front with his emotions and his thoughts all the time," traits that resonate with Drake’s candid approach in this new project. Carey also notes Iceman’s bravery in "facing up to unpleasant situations and admitting his own mistakes," which parallels Drake’s willingness to confront the fallout from his feud and personal struggles.
Adding another layer to the Iceman event, Drake previewed an unreleased track titled "Supermax," which includes a reference to sports journalist Taylor Rooks. In the song, Drake raps, "I was talking to Taylor over drinks, and it was getting deep / 'Not everyone can handle this pressure and, in the city, you're the national treasure,' that's what she said to me." Rooks responded promptly on Instagram with a screenshot of the livestream and the caption, "That's what she said to me," confirming her involvement and sparking speculation about the nature of their relationship. Fans also recalled tweets from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, rumored to have dated Rooks, who had publicly supported Kendrick Lamar during the feud, adding fuel to the social media firestorm.
Drake’s use of livestreams to debut new music and engage with fans reflects a modern approach to music promotion, blending performance, personal interaction, and visual storytelling. The Iceman Episode 1 event was just the first installment, suggesting more episodes and content will follow as the album rollout continues.
As fans digest "What Did I Miss?" and the cryptic hints dropped during the livestream, anticipation builds for what Iceman will ultimately reveal. Will Drake continue to explore themes of loyalty and betrayal? How deeply will the Kendrick Lamar feud influence the album’s tone? For now, Drake is clearly setting the stage for a raw, honest, and hard-hitting project that reflects both his personal and artistic evolution.
With the words "Iceman Coming Soon" closing the livestream, one thing is certain: Drake’s next move will be watched closely, as the Toronto rapper navigates the turbulent waters of fame, friendship, and rivalry with his characteristic candor and flair.
