Drake is basically everywhere. Again. Whether you are scrolling through TikTok and hearing a snippet of a leaked verse or seeing his OVO owl plastered on a new sneaker collab, the guy just doesn’t quit. It's 2026, and after a couple of years that would have buried any other artist, he’s still the biggest talking point in music. Honestly, it's wild. You’ve got people saying he's "washed" after the Kendrick Lamar drama, and then you've got the stans who think he’s about to drop the greatest comeback album in history.
But what exactly is going on with Drake both right now?
If you've been living under a rock, the short version is that he’s cooking. Specifically, he's finishing up an album called Iceman. He’s also dealing with some massive legal headaches with Universal Music Group (UMG) and somehow finding time to invest in everything from whiskey to Italian soccer clubs.
The Iceman Cometh: Drake Both Right Now and the 2026 Rollout
The biggest thing on the horizon is the music. After the fallout from the 2024 beef with Kendrick Lamar—which, let's be real, most critics say he lost—Drake went into a bit of a "secluded" mode. But that changed recently. He started dropping these "100 Gigs" of content and cryptic livestreams that feel like the old 2011-era Drake.
The album Iceman is the center of the universe for him right now. Word on the street (and via DJ Akademiks, who basically acts as his unofficial spokesperson) is that the "stove is hot."
Iceman isn't just another album. It’s a statement. He’s been seen in Europe working with producers like Gordo and Tay Keith, trying to find that "slap" that reminds everyone why he held the crown for over a decade. He even dropped some tracks like "What Did I Miss?" and "Which One" featuring Central Cee to test the waters. They’re catchy. They’re petty. They’re very Drake.
Why the 2026 Tour Matters
There’s a massive world tour being planned for later this year. We’re talking Amsterdam, Zurich, Paris, and a bunch of U.S. dates that haven’t been fully locked in but are rumored for the summer.
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He wants to beat the world records currently held by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. It's a pride thing. If he can't win the "lyrical" battle in the eyes of the purists, he’s going to win the "bank account" battle by selling out arenas across the globe.
The Courtroom Drama Nobody Expected
You can't talk about Drake both right now without mentioning the lawyers. Usually, Drake is the golden boy of the industry, but things got messy with his label, Universal Music Group.
He actually sued them. Or at least, he’s been filing petitions and legal actions. The beef is over Kendrick’s "Not Like Us." Drake basically alleged that UMG—the label they both belong to—used "illegal tactics" and bots to boost Kendrick's song and damage Drake's reputation.
- The Lawsuit Status: Most of the initial petitions were dismissed or withdrawn, but there’s still a "pretrial procedure" happening.
- The Discovery Phase: A judge recently gave the green light for discovery. This means Drake's team gets to look at UMG’s internal documents about the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and Kendrick’s contracts.
- The Risk: UMG gets to do the same to him. This could get very ugly before it gets better.
It’s a weird move. Suing your own label is usually a career-ender, but Drake is so big he thinks he’s the exception. He might be right.
The Mogul Moves: Beyond the Mic
While everyone is focused on the lyrics, Drake is playing a much longer game. He’s not just a rapper; he’s a conglomerate. He just secured a massive growth capital investment for OVO (October's Very Own) from a firm called A.R.I. (Applied Real Intelligence). They’re comparing OVO to brands like SKIMS or Fenty.
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He’s also taking his whiskey brand, Virginia Black (now called American Black), public with a $30 million IPO. Most rappers sell a brand and move on. Drake is trying to build a legacy that lasts past his streaming prime.
Then there’s the sports. He’s got stakes in AC Milan and even a Major League Pickleball team called the Brooklyn Aces. Pickleball! It sounds funny, but the ROI on these niche sports is actually insane lately.
The Nocta Factor
The Nike partnership is still a goldmine. In early 2026, we’re seeing new OVO x Nike Air Force 1s and more pieces from his Nocta line. While Kanye’s Yeezy empire crumbled, Drake has quietly filled that vacuum in the streetwear space. It’s less "avant-garde" and more "stuff you actually want to wear to the gym or the club."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Beef
People love a winner and a loser. The internet decided Kendrick won. And honestly, looking at the charts and the Grammys, he did. But if you look at Drake both right now, he’s not acting like a guy who lost. He’s acting like a guy who’s annoyed but motivated.
The narrative that Drake "fell off" is a bit of a stretch. He’s still pulling in billions of streams. He’s still the guy other rappers mention to get a headline. The "Iceman" era is his attempt to pivot away from the drama and back to the "lifestyle" rap that made him a billionaire-in-waiting.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Investors
If you’re following the 6 God’s trajectory this year, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Livestreams: Drake is using his "Iceman" episodes on social media to drop snippets. If you want to know what the next "God's Plan" sounds like, that's where he’s testing the beats.
- Check the Tour Dates Early: European dates are already floating around on sites like Drake Related and Live Nation. If you’re in Amsterdam or Berlin, tickets are going to vanish in seconds.
- Monitor the IPO: If you're into the business side, the American Black IPO is a legit opportunity to see if celebrity-led spirits can still win in a crowded market.
- Keep an Eye on the UMG Case: This legal battle is the most important "behind the scenes" story. If he wins or settles, it changes how labels treat their biggest stars.
Drake is in a transition phase. He’s moving from being the "invincible hitmaker" to a "seasoned veteran" who has to actually fight for his spot. It’s the most interesting he’s been in years. The "Boy" is growing up, but he’s definitely not slowing down.