A number of well-known manufacturers, together with UFC, KFC, the 49ers, and DoorDash, have shared promotional materials for Drake’s upcoming album, ICEMAN, forward of its launch. The much-awaited album is ready to drop on Might 15, 2026.
On April 24, one in every of Drake’s loyal supporters and hip-hop influencer, DJ Akademiks shared screenshots of promotional materials shared by the massive manufacturers for ICEMAN. The pictures included Instagram pictures from UFC, the 49ers, and DoorDash, alongside a hoarding from KFC, all selling the album. He wrote:
“Main manufacturers just like the UFC, KFC, 49ers and DoorDash submit iceman themed promo in honor of iceman popping out might 15. The pdf allegations and smear campaigns towards Drake failed.”
Followers took to X to react to the submit, with many praising the Toronto rapper for his affect and affect. One X person quoted Kendrick Lamar’s iconic line from his 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime present efficiency, the place he mentioned “they tried to rig the sport however you’ll be able to’t faux affect”, allegedly referring to his huge feud with Drizzy. The tweet learn:
“CANT FAKE INFLUENCE”
Another reactions had been as follows:
Followers continued to share their ideas on the matter:
DJ Akademiks’ feedback are available in reference to the alleged rumors about Drizzy being a “p*dophile” that did the rounds throughout his feud with Kendrick Lamar. The rapper accused Drizzy of pedophilia in his record-breaking diss-track, Not Like Us, though the Toronto native has denied all such allegations.
A few of his supporters, together with DJ Akademiks, thought of it a smear marketing campaign, and his present submit means that such rumors didn’t injury Drizzy’s affect and affect on the earth of hip-hop. Irrespective, ICEMAN stays one of the crucial awaited releases this yr because it marks Drizzy’s first solo album launch since 2021’s For All of the Canine.
When DJ Akademiks claimed folks discuss Drake for consideration forward of ICEMAN’s launch
Talking on his Kick stream this week, DJ Akademiks weighed in on Drake’s affect within the hip-hop world and the way folks have allegedly used his identify to realize consideration. He mentioned:
“It was worthwhile recommendation that Drake simply disappeared for some time. It was the one factor that made folks understand that he is a part of an ecosystem that get us all fed.” You discuss him. You get some consideration. Speak about him. You pay your payments. You rap about him. You hate on him. You get a YouTube video that does over 20,000. I am like, okay, so Drake? You realize he’s right here to avoid wasting us and save him too. It is all good, alright.”
He added:
“Lots of people did say this, he simply must go away. However actually, they only wished to go away. Him to go away as a result of h stopped having relationships with them, would not give them an interview, in all probability stubborn them out in DMS, in all probability mentioned that they had been a goof, you know the way he talks, and so they wished to rid themselves of the man.”
Talking additional of ICEMAN, Akademiks continued:
“Once more, Might 15 is the date we there’s a whole lot of hypothesis on how that is going to go. Proper? We’ll get into the whole lot with the ice. We type of did cowl a few of that stuff, however we wish to, we wish to, type of like explicitly, get into what’s the subsequent step of the rollout.”
Earlier than ICEMAN, Drake collaborated with PartyNextDoor for his collaborative album, $$$4U. Nonetheless, the upcoming album will mark his first solo launch in 5 years and in addition his first solo mission since his feud with Kendrick Lamar.
ICEMAN will drop on all streaming platforms on Might 15, 2026.
Edited by Pratyasha Sarkar
