Canadian rapper Drake has officially covered up his tattoo of NBA icon LeBron James, replacing it with one of fellow Canadian and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The ink swap, revealed during Drake’s performance at the Wireless Festival in London, marks a dramatic shift in a friendship that once seemed unbreakable.
Drake originally got the LeBron tattoo in 2018, featuring the Lakers star in his high school “Fighting Irish” jersey. It was a tribute to their long-standing bond, forged through mutual admiration and public support. From courtside appearances to lyrical shoutouts, Drake and LeBron were often seen as brothers in their respective lanes.
But things changed in 2024 when Drake entered a fiery rap feud with Kendrick Lamar. LeBron, expected by many to back his longtime friend, instead remained neutral, and later appeared at Lamar’s Juneteenth concert, a move that reportedly stung Drake. The rapper responded with subliminal jabs in tracks like “Fighting Irish Freestyle” and “What Did I Miss?”, hinting at betrayal and fractured loyalty.
Now, the tattoo tells the story. The LeBron ink has been replaced with a Thunder jersey bearing the number 2: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s number. The two Canadians have grown close in recent years, with SGA appearing in Drake’s “Nokia” music video and attending his concerts. The new tattoo is both a nod to national pride and a subtle declaration of shifting allegiances.
Drake covered up LeBron James tattoo with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pic.twitter.com/X76263kS2m
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 12, 2025
