Drake

Drake’s Comical Message To LeBron James For Breaking The NBA’s Scoring Record Was Met With Jokes From Fans

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I said this last night but I think it bears repeating; Drake may very well be the funniest human being alive.

It’s not just that he constantly does hilarious things, consistently leaning into the public perception that he’s a total cornball. It’s that he’s always in on the joke. He knows how things are going to play, he does them anyway, and he laughs at himself as much as we do.

Take last night’s historical Los Angeles Lakers game; Drake was one of several music stars to congratulate LeBron James on breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record. But instead of merely recording a straightforward message to the camera like Rihanna and Snoop Dogg, Drake staged an elaborate skit in front of a green screen.

At first, it appears that the Toronto star is standing in the gym at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. This seems like a completely logical thing for Drake to do — even a likely one — because Drake is the kind of guy who buys Pharrell’s old jewelry for nostalgic value. But then, the background shifts to a staged club VIP section as Drake “admits” he’s recording from a night out. Because Drake is also the guy who loves doing comedic sketches for award shows (it’s a shame he hasn’t hosted SNL again for the past seven years).

Naturally, his goofball moment landed differently for different people, but the reactions on Twitter have been pure gold either way. Check them out below.

Drake Sends A Congratulatory Message To Lebron James On Instagram

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Drake is among the many NBA fans who hold LeBron James as the greatest basketball player of all time. The Lakers power forward made an undeniable case regarding his greatness in last night’s game against OKC. Though the Lakers ultimately lost 133-130, James became the league’s new leading scorer. The impressive feat occurred during the final seconds of the third quarter. James totaled 38,388 points, surpassing a record previously held by Kareem-Abdul Jabbar since April 1984, also with the Lakers.

The historic feat was met with a standing ovation in the Crypto.com Arena while fans, friends, and peers sent congratulations on social media. Jabbar was also in the building where he stood from his seat as he applauded his forerunner. The NBA created a compilation video including appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Drake, Stephen Curry, Snoop Dogg, and more who celebrated the massive milestone. “My favorite thing about being a LeBron James fan is just watching you prove yourself over and over again against all odds and all doubt,” Rihanna said. 

Drake’s Instagram Tribute To LeBron James

Drake's message to LeBron James via Instagram
Drake’s message to LeBron James via Instagram

Drake shared several photos of himself and James over the years before penning a small congratulatory message to his pal. “Congratulations my brother,” he wrote before advising James to enjoy the moment. “They probably will have something new to say [tomorrow] but for now, enjoy the praise which is like silence to use,” the Canadian rapper added, alongside a photo of himself and James grinning from ear-to-ear. Drake also understands the gravity of such an accomplishment as he continues to break every Billboard record imaginable.

His Instagram post added a bit more sincerity to his sentiment compared to his appearance in the NBA compilation. Drake referred to the evening as a “legendary night in NBA history” as he appeared to be on a basketball court in Lebron’s hometown of Akron, OH. “…I had to come back to the place that it all started… Every journey has its beginning,” Drizzy said before a green screen dropped from behind him to reveal that he was in a club in Miami. Nonetheless, Drake is clearly ecstatic for LeBron James right now.

LeBron James Fans Drake, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, And Others Congratulated Him On The NBA Scoring Record With Videos

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On April 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored his 31,420th point in the NBA, which broke the league’s all-time scoring record previously held by Wilt Chamberlain. For decades, that record felt unbreakable, but in recent years, it became clear that LeBron James would likely eclipse the mark one day. Well, that day was yesterday (February 7): In the Los Angeles Lakers’ losing effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder, James made the record-breaking shot near the end of the third quarter and put himself atop the all-time list.

Now, the NBA icon has received congratulatory message from music stars like Drake, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar.

Various celebrities recorded videos congratulating James on his historic achievement, with Snoop saying in his, “In the words of the great Snoop Dogg: ‘La-da-da-da-da!’ It’s the one and only LBJ: LeBron James! Great work, baby. Appreciate the love. Love what you do, keep doing what you’re doing, more buckets, more points, more love.”

Drake said in his clip, seemingly filmed at James’ high school gym, “LeBron: what a legendary night in NBA history. You’re breaking the all-time scoring record, and to honor that, I had to come back to the place that it all started: Akron, Ohio. Every journey has its beginning and tonight…” As he spoke, though, the illusion was broken thanks to a green screen malfunction, revealing a club environment behind him. He continued, “I lied, I lied to you. I’m actually still at the club in Miami, but definitely all the girls say congrats, though, right girls? Congrats, right?”

In a more straightforward video, Lamar said, “To see you with this type of accomplishment, it always give a confirmation of, you can be great no matter where you come from.”

In her tribute, Rihanna said, “It is important to recognize greatness and great accomplishments. […] If course, you’re no stranger to breaking records, but this record, this is one to be more than just acknowledged: this is one to be celebrated.”

Bad Bunny didn’t record a video, but he was there in person to give LeBron a hug after the record was broken.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, John Legend wrote, “Congratulations @KingJames !!!! This man has been in the spotlight and burdened with the highest expectations since he was a teenager. And he’s done nothing but exceed those expectations and build a historic legacy. What an incredible accomplishment!”

Check out the videos above and find some other tweets about James’ accomplishment below.

[WATCH] Grandmaster Flash Releases Part 2 of his New Vignette Series

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Fresh off his 2023 GRAMMY awards performance, Grandmaster Flash talks the history of Jay-Z, the proficiency of Eminem and his discovery of Drake in Part 2 of his 10-part vignette series. Click below to watch now!

The post [WATCH] Grandmaster Flash Releases Part 2 of his New Vignette Series appeared first on The Source.

Grandmaster Flash Praises Drake As A “Genius”

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Grandmaster Flash represented hip-hop to the fullest on Sunday night at the Grammys. Questlove’s Hip Hop 50 segment paid tribute to everyone in hip-hop, from pioneers like Grandmaster Flash to newcomers like GloRilla. Ultimately, the outcome was a proper representation of hip-hop culture, which the Grammys have undoubtedly struggled with since 1989. However, it was overall a beautiful moment that acknowledged the contributions of artists, like LL Cool J and Lil Uzi Vert, in transforming the culture over the years.

Drake undoubtedly shaped hip-hop in the past decade, though he’s often faced criticism for being too pop. Still, Grandmaster Flash said it’s part of Drake’s brilliance. During a conversation with Billboard on the Red Carpet of the Grammys, he praised Drake as a “genius” for his versatility.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 30: Drake attends “Til Death Do Us Part” on October 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

“He is probably the only rapper, and I want to speak on his talent because he’s a great rapper, but he’s the only one, in my opinion, that’s daring enough to rap on a trap beat, to rap on a disco beat, to rap on ballad beat,” Grandmaster Flash said. “I would call it like a Prince formula. When Prince makes records, it does not sound like his last record. Drake is daring enough to rap on all different types of beats. I think he’s a consummate genius.”

That’s undoubtedly a huge compliment coming from a founding father of hip-hop. Drake has yet to respond but he’s certainly showcased his ability to float on any beat as naturally as the next. Last year, he released his dance album, Honestly, Nevermind. Though it polarized fans, its success speaks directly to Grandmaster Flash’s assessment of Drake.

Last night, Drake took home his first Grammy award in four years, despite not submitting any music for nominations. His contributions to Future’s “WAIT FOR U” alongside Tems helped secure the Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

Grandmaster Flash clearly embraces the new generation of artists who came after him. Last year, he praised Coi Leray for sampling “The Message” in her viral hit, “Players” “When I got a call saying this girl wanted to resurrect the beat of a song from my past – I wanted to learn more,” he wrote on Instagram last year. “Then when I spoke with & met @coileray, I TOTALLY got it. Go listen to PLAYERS by Coi Leray now.”

[Via]

Drake Wins Big At 2023 Grammys Despite Not Submitting Any Music

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It seems winning is just inevitable for Drake. Despite not submitting any music for the 2023 Grammys, the Toronto rap star still walked away with an award Sunday night. The “Rich Flex” rapper won best melodic rap performance for his guest appearance on Future’s No.1 hit, “Wait for U,” which also features vocals from Nigerian singer Tems. The track appears on Future’s album, I Never Liked You.

Even without entering any new music, Drake earned himself four nominations this year. Along with his work on “Wait for U,” the rapper also co-wrote and earned nominations for Jack Harlow‘s “Churchill Downs” and “Heated” from Beyoncé‘s album, Renaissance.

Unlike in years past, Drake opted out of submitting any work from his latest solo album, Honestly, Nevermind, or any of its singles like “Jimmy Crooks,” “Sticky,” and “Massive,” for awards. The now five-time Grammy winner has been critical of the awards show in the past. He even withdrew his two nominations for the 2022 awards.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, while attending the 2023 Recording Academy Honors, Drake honored Lil Wayne with a video message — one of the award’s honorees, along with Missy Elliot and Dr. Dre — and even took some jabs at Grammys while doing it.

“Good evening, Grammys. Well, I haven’t gotten to say that since 2016,” the rapper said in the video.

He continued, “Lil Wayne… I love you so much. I know I probably get annoying with saying how much you mean to me and my family, but I think I speak on behalf of everybody when I say that our careers, our cadences, our melodies, maybe our face tats or our outfits or our decisions, in general, would not have been the same without your natural gift to just be yourself.”

Drake Reaches Major Spotify Milestone, Surpassing 75 Billion Streams

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We’re only two months into the new year and Drake is already busy breaking records. It’s been reported that the “Rich Flex” rapper has surpassed 75 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the first artist to do so. According to Chart Data, that makes him “the first artist in history to hit this milestone.”

While the Toronto rap star appreciates the acknowledgment, he believes that artists deserve to be compensated for their work to “motivate the future artists to be consistent and competitive,” according to a recent post to his Instagram story.

“We should get bonuses like athletes to motivate the future artists to be consistent and competitive…so feel free to send me a Lebron-sized cheque. I have enough dinner plates @spotify,” he wrote with a crying laugh emoji.

In 2019, the Canadian hitmaker was among the most streamed artists of the decade, alongside other commercial juggernauts like Eminem and Ed Sheeran. It feels like Drake’s record-breaking streak won’t be coming to an end anytime soon. This past December, Drake joined rarified company, becoming the highest-selling singles artist in the Recording Industry Association of America history, surpassing Eminem.

Last year, the rapper earned 10 new plaques from the RIAA, bringing his total to 184 million.

Joe Budden Suggests Beyoncé Fans Thought “Renaissance” Was “Mid”

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It’s an album that has prompted a highly-anticipated worldwide tour, but Joe Budden claims Beyoncé fans think Renaissance is “mid.” The Hip Hop commentator cracked a few jokes about Drake fans having to “get low” or duck out of sight because he released a “mid” album. During the conversation, he quipped that Bey’s fans know what it’s like because they felt the same way about Renaissance.

“Do you know how tough it was for us Drake fans to go get low for a few months,” Budden said in the clip. “If you don’t, you can just ask the Beyoncé fans right now. Maybe y’all don’t see when the fans collectively go get low, but I do. One of the best in the world, we can’t pop our sh*t, ’cause y’all tellin’ us it’s mid at every turn. Every week, n*ggas asking, ‘Oh, you heard some of that sh*t outside? ‘Cause I haven’t!’ That sh*t was like a stab in the heart.”

Joe Budden, Renaissance, <a href=Beyonce” class=”wp-image-628263″ srcset=”https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg 6017w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg?resize=300,269 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg?resize=768,689 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg?resize=1024,919 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg?resize=1536,1378 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg?resize=2048,1837 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1458330963-1.jpg?resize=1500,1346 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 6017px) 100vw, 6017px” />
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 21: Beyoncé performs on stage headlining the Grand Reveal of Dubai’s newest luxury hotel, Atlantis The Royal on January 21, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mason Poole/Parkwood Media/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)
Read More: Beyoncé Officially Announces “Renaissance” World Tour 2023

Renaissance is Beyoncé’s first solo album since 2016’s Lemonade. It arrived with an epic rollout and dominated the charts—and nightclubs—across the globe. Beyoncé, her team, and her hitmaking collaborators were praised for interpolating Black house, techno, electronic, and dance artists who helped pioneer the genres but were often overlooked. It wasn’t the quintessential R&B-Pop record that people expected, but her core fanbase seemed to understand the message.

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and this weekend, we’ll learn if it takes home the title at the Grammys. Renaissance is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Dance Electronic Album. These accolades don’t seem lost on Budden, who hopped into The Neighborhood Talk’s comment section to clarify. They shared the clip of his comments on Renaissance, and Instagram users quickly called him out.

Read More: Beyoncé Fans Outraged Due To “Renaissance” Tour Ticket Prices

“I loved B’s album, if y’all comprehension is off just say that,” Budden wrote. Still, the internet is unrelenting, and the BeyHive is fiercely protective. Check out a few reactions below.

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Drake Poked Fun At The Grammys During Lil Wayne Tribute At 2023 Recording Academy Honors

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The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective honored Lil Wayne, Dr. Dre and Missy Elliott with the Global Impact Award (now called Dr. Dre’s Global Impact Award). Many celebrities and revered artists emerged to honor each of the artists. 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Swizz Beatz, Chloe, 2 Chainz, Kurupt and more appeared on stage where they celebrated the legacies of the three artists.

Drake wasn’t physically present but he recorded a short video expressing his gratitude and love for Lil Wayne. But first, he addressed the elephant in the room – his long-standing beef with the Grammys over the past seven years. Since 2016, the Canadian rapper basically embarked on a one-man boycott of the Grammys. Despite his record-breaking success, he refuses to submit anything to the award show. “Good evening, Grammys. Well, I haven’t gotten to say that since 2016,” Drake began, per the Hollywood Reporter. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Drake appears via video during the Recording Academy Honors presented by The Black Music Collective during the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

“Lil Wayne…I love you so much,” he continued. “I know I probably get annoying with saying how much you mean to me and my family, but I think I speak on behalf of everybody when I say that our careers, our cadences, our melodies, maybe our face tats or our outfits or our decisions in general would not have been the same without your natural gift to just be yourself.”

During Lil Wayne’s speech, he reflected on the significance of his award coming from a place like New Orleans. From his humble beginnings in Louisiana, he became the biggest rapper in the world. “I want you all to know that I don’t get honored,” he said. “Where I’m from, New Orleans, you’re not supposed to do this.”

Though the award intended to celebrate Lil Wayne’s career, he reflected on how music impacted his home life. His stepfather passed away when he was a child and at 14, his mother asked him for a kid since he was touring. For the most part, he dedicated his speech to his mother and the mothers of his children. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Lil Wayne speaks onstage during Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective at Hollywood Palladium on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

“And her son had just blown up and went on his first tour. When I came home she said, ‘Son, I can’t live in this house by myself. We’re going to have to figure something out,’” he recalled. “I’d like to thank Antonia Johnson [Reginae Carter’s mother] for reasoning with me and my mom, and my life. I’d like to thank every single one of my kids and every single one of their mothers.”

Following Wayne’s speech, Tyga hit the stage for a performance of some of the Young Money boss’s biggest hits to date. However, Wayne will hit the stage this weekend for the Hip-Hop 50 segment at the Grammys.

[Via]