Kyrie Irving’s Music Selection Fuels Drake-Kendrick Lamar Beef

Kyrie Irving is again within the highlight, not for his basketball abilities this time. As a substitute, it’s for a second that’s fueling recent dialog round one in every of hip hop’s greatest feuds. Throughout a 24-hour livestream marathon yesterday (July 12), the NBA star skipped previous the diss observe “Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar in favor of Drake’s newest launch. It wasn’t simply the music swap that made waves. Additionally, it was the side-eye he gave the digital camera afterward that turned the second into meme gold.

Irving seemed to be driving within the backseat of a car and wearing a colourful graphic tee, chains, and a backwards white cap. He was curating his playlist reside for 1000’s of viewers. With exaggerated expressions, he swiped by tracks earlier than touchdown on Drake’s new tune “What Did I Miss?” That tune dropped July 5 because the lead single from the upcoming album Iceman. The transient second the place he paused, rubbed his chin, skipped “Like That,” after which regarded instantly on the digital camera with a smirk—was immediately clipped and shared throughout social media platforms. Many discovered the second hilarious.

In the meantime, Kyrie added to the narrative of the continuing Kendrick-Drake beef.

A Delicate Assertion in a Main Feud

Followers shortly interpreted the transfer as a refined however clear sign of allegiance in the continuing Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud. “Like That,” launched in 2024, was a key diss observe that reignited tensions between the 2 rap titans. In distinction, Drake’s “What Did I Miss?” has been described as a reflective observe addressing betrayal and loyalty—resonating themes given the present rap local weather.

Kyrie and Drake share a friendship courting again almost a decade. From partying collectively in Toronto to Drake referencing Kyrie in songs, the 2 have lengthy been publicly supportive. In June 2025, Kyrie even defended Drake on-line, criticizing the disrespect the rapper obtained through the feud’s peak. So this stream second wasn’t only a random music alternative—it mirrored Irving’s ongoing help for the Toronto rapper.

Followers React: From Reward to Playful Shade

The 29-second video, initially shared by @scubaryan_ on X (previously Twitter), shortly unfold throughout TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and extra. Reactions poured in from all angles:

• “Bro knew he was getting clipped as quickly as he skipped it” — a tweet paired with a photograph of Kyrie mid-smirk.
• “Kyrie so humorous man”
• “I didn’t know Kyrie was a OVHoe. Tragic.”
• “Kyrie Irving x Drake” with throwback photographs of the 2 collectively.

One person joked: “This man is an entire athlete streaming man it’s unhappy,” mocking the thought of NBA stars moonlighting as streamers. One other video confirmed Luka Dončić FaceTiming Kyrie through the stream and teasing him by calling him a “streamer,” including a lighthearted vibe to your complete occasion.

Regardless of some criticism, most followers have been entertained. The meme-ability of Kyrie’s look—loaded with realizing humor—turned it right into a prime trending clip by July 13. Edits, remixes, and captions like “He knew what he was doing” and “Elite troll power” bolstered the second’s cultural resonance.

Stream Highlights and Drake’s Comeback

Irving’s livestream was introduced July 11. After that, it launched throughout Twitch and different platforms, featured gaming, fan Q&As, giveaways, and shock friends. He wrapped up the stream thanking his loyal followers, whom he calls his “Tribe,” together with his signature sign-off, “Hélà.” Subsequently, a nod to his Native American roots.

In the course of the stream, he showcased a number of new tracks however the swap from “Like That” to “What Did I Miss?” stood out. The latter tune has lyrics about pretend associates and damaged alliances. So, it might simply be interpreted as commentary on the feud’s aftermath. Kyrie’s co-sign appeared to raise the observe even additional, particularly as NBA gamers like Kevin Durant additionally praised it on-line.

Drake’s Iceman album is anticipated to drop later this summer time, and “What Did I Miss?” is already being framed as his post-beef comeback anthem. Kyrie’s viral second could have helped increase its momentum much more.

Sports activities, Music, and Trendy Loyalty

This second displays a broader development of athletes mixing into music tradition—and vice versa. In an age the place NBA stars host Twitch marathons and rap feuds unfold in actual time on social media, figures like Kyrie Irving change into extra than simply athletes. They change into cultural curators, voices in broader inventive narratives.

Whether or not intentional or not, Irving’s smirk despatched a message: he’s driving with Drake. And with hundreds of thousands watching, that type of gesture carries weight within the digital age.

Kyrie’s stream could also be over, however the memes—and the controversy—are removed from completed.

Drake vs. Kendrick: The Ongoing Fallout

The feud between Drake and Kendrick has dominated the hip-hop panorama for over a yr. “Like That,” launched in 2024, was seen as a turning level, escalating private jabs to full-on lyrical warfare. Drake responded with tracks that addressed betrayal, trade hypocrisy, and loyalty—key themes in “What Did I Miss?”

Whereas Kendrick hosted the broadly celebrated “Pop Out” live performance, incomes help from figures like LeBron, Drake’s camp remained comparatively silent till lately. Irving’s stream marks one of many first high-profile, non-musical moments the place the feud performed out in a distinct enviornment—sports activities streaming.

Despite the fact that Luka Dončić, Kyrie’s former teammate, is now not with the Mavericks following a February 2025 commerce to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, the duo’s playful alternate through the stream added levity to the second.

Conclusion: Tradition, Commentary, and Kyrie’s Affect

Kyrie Irving’s resolution to skip “Like That” in favor of Drake’s “What Did I Miss?” was greater than only a informal music alternative—it was a cultural second that mirrored the deep crossover between sports activities, music, and digital platforms. In simply 29 seconds, Irving managed to wade into one of the crucial high-profile rap feuds of the last decade with out uttering a single phrase, relying as an alternative on facial expressions and timing to make his stance identified.

What makes this second resonate is its layered significance. First, it showcases the ability of subtlety—how physique language and tune choice can converse louder than tweets or interviews. Second, it underscores how deeply intertwined the NBA and hip-hop worlds are, with athletes typically serving as cultural barometers for public sentiment in rap beefs. Kyrie’s friendship with Drake, his public persona of unpredictability, and his willingness to interact playfully with contentious moments all converge right here.