Drake’s return to Kick gave the internet plenty to chew on, including a reference to Roc Nation subpoenas and a stark warning to any rapper who wants to beef with him on wax.
During the livestream on Saturday, Drake said, “GGs the ROC NATION subpoenas about to be cleared.” He followed the remark with a laugh, adding ambiguity about whether it was a genuine taunt, gallows humor about his ongoing legal situation, or something else entirely. He did not elaborate on which subpoenas he meant.
Elsewhere in the stream, the Iceman artist brought up any rapper considering a response to him. “These guys are dropping albums, it’s like, hello and goodbye,” he said. “And careful with that reply because the pen isn’t dry.”
The Roc Nation Connection
The two moments could or could not be connected. As far as the Roc Nation comment goes, Drake has an active defamation lawsuit appeal involving the company and UMG. The legal battle has been ongoing, with Drake previously filing a defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and the subsequent legal fallout.
When it comes to his ability to record a response, Drake doesn’t name any names. But Jay-Z is the only rapper who flipped one of Drizzy’s lyrics in a viral freestyle in recent months.
The Yachty Diss
Another notable moment in the stream came when Drake seemingly snuck in a diss to Lil Yachty while explaining how he’d celebrate Stake’s 10th anniversary. Drake said he’d be “on a yacht, even though I hate boats.”
The Jay-Z-Drake Dynamic
The reference comes amid a complicated relationship between Drake and Jay-Z. Hov responded to Drake’s ‘Iceman’ subs in his Roots Picnic freestyle, continuing a back-and-forth that has been tracked since 2009.
The Bottom Line
Drake returned to Kick with a stream that referenced Roc Nation subpoenas and warned rappers thinking about responding to him that “the pen isn’t dry.” He has an active defamation lawsuit appeal involving Roc Nation and UMG. He also appeared to take a shot at Lil Yachty during the stream. The comments come amid ongoing legal battles and a complicated relationship with Jay-Z.
