The two aren’t on the same page

LeBron James and DrakeLAPRESSE

Once close friends, LeBron James and Drake now appear to be on opposite sides of an intensifying public rift. What began as a subtle shift in loyalty during Drake’s feud with Kendrick Lamar has evolved into open signs of tension-and fans are noticing every move.

The latest twist? LeBron’s unexpected cameo in Tyler, the Creator’s new music video “Stop Playing With Me,” which some believe is a quiet jab at Drake.

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The video, dropped by Tyler on July 21, features the Los Angeles Lakers star dancing alongside music executive Maverick Carter and rap duo Clipse-Pusha T and Malice. Known critics of Drake, the Clipse brothers’ involvement only fueled speculation about an underlying message.

To add more fire, LeBron shared the video with the caption, “STOP FKN PLAYING WITH ME!!!!,” amplifying fan theories that the appearance was far from random.

The rift between Drake and LeBron seemed to begin in 2024, when James was seen supporting Kendrick Lamar at his “Pop Out” show-singing along to “Not Like Us,” a direct shot at Drake. Since then, Drake has made several moves to distance himself from the NBA superstar.

He unfollowed LeBron on Instagram, altered the lyrics of songs that once praised him, and even replaced a tattoo of LeBron’s jersey number with a tribute to Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Drake also dropped a pointed lyric during his performance at the Wireless Festival, saying, “I saw bro in the Pop Out with them but been distant since ‘Headlines,'” referencing their deteriorating relationship. These moves didn’t go unnoticed, and fans believe LeBron’s Tyler cameo was a calculated response.

Is the cameo just a coincidence?

On the surface, LeBron’s appearance could be seen as harmless. Tyler, the Creator is known for his creativity and playful visuals, and the song itself promotes confidence and self-expression. Tyler even wrote that the album “was not made for sitting still… any type of movement is recommended,” emphasizing its energetic vibe.

But in today’s culture, every action by a public figure is examined for hidden meaning. With the timing of the video, its cast, and LeBron’s caption, fans didn’t see this as a simple music feature. Social media quickly lit up, with one user commenting, “You got exiled from OVO, so this is all you got, loser,” while others demanded peace between the two icons.

Whether it was a veiled diss or just a collaboration with a friend, one thing is clear: LeBron’s move has added another layer to the saga. For now, both sides remain silent-but fans are definitely watching.