It used to be simple. You’d hear that Maybach Music tag, the grunt, and then a smooth, melodic hook. For over a decade, a Drake and Rick Ross collaboration was the closest thing rap had to a guaranteed stimulus package. They weren't just colleagues; they were the "YOLO" architects. From the luxury of "Aston Martin Music" to the grit of "Stay Schemin’," their chemistry felt bulletproof.
Then 2024 happened.
In a matter of months, the duo that gave us "Lemon Pepper Freestyle" traded the studio for social media warfare. Ross wasn't just sending subs; he was coining nicknames like BBL Drizzy and accusing the biggest artist in the world of getting cosmetic surgery. It’s weird. Honestly, seeing two guys who once bragged about "No New Friends" turn into bitter rivals is the kind of plot twist that makes you question every rap bromance you’ve ever rooted for.
The Cease and Desist That Broke the Bond
Why did Rick Ross actually turn on Drake? According to Rozay, it wasn’t some grand conspiracy or a secret alliance with Kendrick Lamar. It was a lawyer’s letter. During the outro of his diss track "Champagne Moments," Ross claimed he unfollowed Drake because the OVO rapper allegedly sent a cease-and-desist to French Montana.
"I unfollowed you, na, 'cause you sent a motherfin' cease-and-desist to French Montana," Ross ranted. He characterized it as "police move" behavior. Essentially, Ross felt Drake was acting like a "worker" or an informant rather than a "boss."
Drake’s camp hasn't exactly confirmed the legal drama with French, but the damage was done. For a guy like Ross, who builds his entire brand on the "Biggest Boss" persona, seeing a peer use legal paperwork to stifle another artist—especially a mutual friend like French Montana—was the ultimate violation of the code.
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From "Push Ups" to "Champagne Moments"
When Drake finally dropped "Push Ups" to address the "20 v 1" situation, he didn't spare the MMG mogul. He mocked Ross’s age and his history of chart success, rapping:
"I might take your latest girl and cuff her like I'm Ricky / Can't believe he jumpin' in, this n***a turnin' 50 / Every song that made it on the chart, he got from Drizzy."
It was a direct shot at Ross’s relevance. Drake was essentially saying, "I made you." Ross didn't wait days to respond. He didn't even wait 24 hours. He fired back with "Champagne Moments" almost instantly.
The song itself was a scathing attack on Drake’s identity. Ross repeatedly referred to him as "white boy" and claimed Drake had a nose job to look less like his father. It was personal. It was petty. And it set the tone for a summer of trolling that would eventually culminate in a physical altercation in Vancouver.
The BBL Drizzy Era and the Vancouver Brawl
If you were on the internet in 2024, you couldn't escape the phrase BBL Drizzy. Ross championed the nickname, leaning into rumors that Drake had undergone cosmetic procedures like stomach sculpting and a Brazilian Butt Lift. It turned into a viral sensation, especially after Metro Boomin released a free beat with the same title, inviting fans to record their own disses.
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But the "fun" turned serious in July 2024.
While Ross was performing at the Ignite Music Festival in Vancouver, he made the bold choice to play Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us"—the definitive Drake diss—at the end of his set. Vancouver is Drake’s home turf (spiritually, if not literally, as part of the Canadian landscape).
A group of men took offense. Footage quickly surfaced of a massive brawl breaking out behind the stage. In the videos, you can see Ross surrounded, punches being thrown, and members of his entourage getting the worst of it. Drake later "liked" the video of the fight on Instagram, a silent nod of approval that the friendship was officially buried in the dirt.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Beef
There’s a common misconception that Ross "chose a side" just because he wanted to be on the winning team with Kendrick. But if you look at their history, the tension had been simmering for a while.
- Ghostwriting Allegations: Ross has hinted multiple times that Drake’s "pen" isn't as solo as he claims.
- The "White Boy" Narrative: Ross’s insistence on calling Drake "white boy" wasn't just a racial jab; it was an attempt to strip Drake of his hip hop "credibility," echoing sentiments often whispered in the industry but rarely said aloud by former friends.
- The Ozempic Digs: Drake’s lines in "Family Matters" about Ross taking Ozempic for weight loss showed that the vitriol was a two-way street.
Is Peace Even Possible?
In early 2025, Ross told interviewer Bootleg Kev that he’d consider burying the hatchet under one condition: Drake has to send him a bottle of Luc Belaire. Specifically "the white one."
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It sounds like a joke, and with Ross, it usually is. But the reality is that the business ties are likely too frayed to fix. When Drake sued Universal Music Group (UMG) over the promotion of "Not Like Us," he essentially declared war on the entire ecosystem that Ross is a part of.
They are both too rich and too proud to back down now. We’re likely looking at a permanent cold war.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're following the fallout of this feud, here is how to navigate the current hip hop landscape:
- Watch the "Cease and Desist" Trend: Drake’s alleged use of legal blockers is changing how artists collaborate. If you’re a creator, pay attention to how "paperwork" is becoming a weapon in rap beef.
- Separate the Art from the Persona: You can still enjoy "Money in the Grave" while acknowledging the guys who made it now hate each other. It's okay to keep the classics on your playlist.
- Monitor the Business Alliances: Keep an eye on French Montana and Future. Their future collaborations (or lack thereof) with either camp will tell you where the industry lines are truly drawn.
The era of the Drake and Rick Ross "super-duo" is over. We’re in the era of the "Biggest Boss" vs. the "6 God," and so far, neither one is looking for an exit ramp.