Drake Replaces LeBron James Tattoo as Feud Reaches the Point of No Return
What happens when a friendship between two giants—a world-famous rapper and the king of basketball—falls apart? Usually, it’s limited to unfollowing on social media and a few sharp words in interviews. But when one of those giants is Drake, he brings out the heavy artillery. Namely, a tattoo machine.
Yes, you read that correctly. The rapper has done the unthinkable: he’s covered up his famous tattoo dedicated to LeBron James. It seems this isn’t just a quarrel; it’s a point of no return.
Betrayal on a Bicep: What Was, and What Is
Back in 2018, at the peak of their bromance, Drake got a tattoo of LeBron’s St. Vincent high school jersey, complete with the number “23” and the word “Irish.” It was a symbol of respect and a long-standing friendship. But as they say, nothing lasts forever—especially tattoos of your friends.
Recently, during a performance at the Wireless Festival in London, fans spotted something new. In place of LeBron’s jersey now sits another basketball player: rising NBA star and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The irony? Shai, like Drake, is Canadian. So this isn’t just replacing one athlete with another; it’s a patriotic choice. The king is dead, long live the new (Canadian) king on Drake’s bicep.
Why Did the Friendship End? Rap, Resentment, and Public Support
The roots of this conflict trace back to this year’s biggest rap battle: Drake versus Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick released the diss track “Not Like Us,” which, to put it mildly, obliterated the Canadian rapper.
And what did LeBron James, Drake’s longtime friend, do? He didn’t just stay silent. He was filmed publicly dancing and singing along to Kendrick’s track. For Drake, this was apparently the final straw. If your friend is openly enjoying a song that tears you down, it’s no longer a friendship.
LeBron himself doesn’t seem too bothered. While Drake was in London altering his tattoos, the 40-year-old basketball star was living it up at a Bad Bunny concert in Puerto Rico. It seems he has bigger fish to fry right now, with rumors swirling about his potential departure from the Lakers.
Not the Only Ink in Drake’s Gallery
To understand the gravity of the situation, you have to know that Drake is an avid tattoo collector, and many are dedicated to people he admires. His body features portraits of his father, singers Sade and Aaliyah, and a tribute to rapper Lil Wayne. Drake uses his skin as a hall of fame. The fact that he “fired” LeBron from it speaks louder than any words.
This cover-up joins a long history of celebrity tattoo drama. Johnny Depp famously altered his “Winona Forever” tattoo to “Wino Forever.” Angelina Jolie removed her ex-husband’s name, replacing it with the coordinates of her children’s birthplaces. And Pete Davidson is a walking encyclopedia of cover-ups for ex-girlfriends.
So, Drake has simply joined the ranks of those for whom a tattoo isn’t “forever,” but “until the next feud.” Are we waiting for a response from LeBron? He probably won’t be running to a tattoo artist. More likely, he’ll just play the Kendrick Lamar track again. And turn up the volume.