Drake’s latest album, “ICEMAN,” is packed with lyrical jabs, and fans are deep in the trenches dissecting every line. It seems Drizzy himself is enjoying the fan theories, even giving a nod to a breakdown of his presumed diss track aimed at The Weeknd, titled “Make Them Pay.”
Fan Theories Go Viral
An Instagram user, @sallucianoofficial, shared a video analyzing the lyrics of “Make Them Pay,” connecting Drake’s lines to The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye). The breakdown, which caught the attention of Drake himself (evidenced by a ‘like’ on his profile), delves into specific wordplay and references.
One key connection made in the video is Drake’s line about “stargazing.” The fan links this to Kendrick Lamar’s past involvement and a lyric from Drake’s song “Squabble Up.” Furthermore, the line, “I’m supposed to be my brother’s keeper, so don’t make us hit another buzzer beater,” is interpreted as a direct reference to the biblical question from Genesis 4:9, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – a poignant question posed by Cain after murdering his brother Abel.
Basketball and Biblical References
The “buzzer beater” reference is further explored, with the fan suggesting it could allude to significant NBA moments. Possibilities include Kawhi Leonard’s game-seven shot for the Toronto Raptors against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs, or perhaps LeBron James’ dominance over Toronto, including his playoff buzzer-beater against them in 2018.
This detailed analysis highlights how deeply fans are engaging with the intricate lyrical content of “ICEMAN.” Drake’s decision to ‘like’ the video suggests he appreciates the effort and insight fans are bringing to his music, even when it involves dissecting his perceived beefs.
A Long-Standing Rivalry
The alleged tension between Drake and The Weeknd isn’t new. Their careers have seen periods of both collaboration and alleged shade over the past decade. The “ICEMAN” album, released in 2024, appears to reignite these tensions, with multiple tracks seemingly taking aim at Abel Tesfaye.
The Weeknd’s involvement on Future and Metro Boomin’s collaborative albums, where he also appeared to diss Drake, is another factor in their complex history. With Drake now interacting with fan breakdowns, it’s clear he’s keeping a close eye on the conversation surrounding “ICEMAN.”
What do you think about the “Make Them Pay” breakdown and Drake’s ‘like’? Do you believe the lyrics are a direct diss at The Weeknd? Share your theories in the comments below!