Drake’s ninth studio album, officially titled ICEMAN, hit streaming platforms today for the highly anticipated New Music Friday release. Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby offered loud public praise for the project just hours before it dropped. The NFL star, who shares the established “Iceman” moniker and previously released his own music EP, threw his full support behind the Toronto artist’s new sound.
The album ends a nearly two-year cycle of cryptic teasers and unconventional physical stunts. Fans in Toronto spent months decoding interactive livestreams and staring at giant ice blocks placed around the city as part of a viral rollout strategy.
Just one day before the official drop, a track titled “1 AM in Albany” leaked online and immediately hijacked the conversation. The song features direct lyrical shots aimed at both Kendrick Lamar and podcast host Joe Budden, according to Sportskeeda. Budden did not wait for the official release to react, jumping on the offensive and paywalling his immediate podcast response to the sudden jab.
The leaked track set an aggressive tone for a project that marks Drake’s return to the traditional long-form album format after taking a strategic pause to build his wider business portfolio. The full tracklist promises an eclectic global sound, with Hypebeast noting the May 15 release brings heavily rumored collaborations with UK rap star Central Cee and Portland native Yeat into the spotlight.