Drake switches “Nonstop” lyrics during Wireless Festival performance to diss LeBron James [VIDEO]

Drake disses LeBron James while performing “Nonstop” in London

On Saturday night, Drake hit the stage for his second consecutive headlining set at Wireless Festival in London. But while fans came for the hits, it was another lyrical jab from the Toronto superstar that sparked headlines.

During a performance of his 2018 hit “Nonstop,” Drake made a noticeable lyric change. Aimed directly at LeBron James, the switch continues a subtle but persistent back-and-forth that’s been brewing ever since LeBron appeared at Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop-Out” concert in Los Angeles during the summer of 2024.

The line—originally, “How I go from 23 to 6 like LeBron”—was flipped. This time, Drake rapped:

“How I go from 6 to 23 but not LeBron.”

A clear shot. And it wasn’t the first time he’s addressed the issue.

A Quick Look at the Original Line

To understand the significance of the change, let’s break it down. The original lyric from “Nonstop” plays off LeBron James’ jersey number changes during his career:

• #23 during his Cleveland Cavaliers and early Lakers years
• #6 during his Miami Heat tenure and recent Lakers seasons

It’s a clever metaphor for transformation and evolution—something Drake has often aligned himself with. But by flipping it to say “but not LeBron,” the message is clear: Drake feels betrayed, or at the very least, snubbed by someone he previously admired or aligned with.

Why Is Drake Dissing LeBron James?

On the surface, it might seem odd. Drake and LeBron James have a long, well-documented friendship that’s included courtside appearances, social media exchanges, and mutual public praise. LeBron even supported Drake’s career at various points, including appearing on episodes of The Shop, produced by his own media company, Uninterrupted.

But the turning point seems to be LeBron’s decision to attend Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop-Out” show in Inglewood in June 2024. The event was already a moment in hip-hop, coming after weeks of lyrical warfare between Kendrick and Drake. And when LeBron was spotted front and center at Kendrick’s celebration—clapping, vibing, and even taking photos backstage—it didn’t go unnoticed.

Especially by Drake.

“What Did I Miss?” Took Aim at LeBron, Too

Drake had already addressed the situation in his recent single “What Did I Miss?”, where he alluded to the disappointment he felt seeing LeBron supporting his rap rival. While he didn’t mention LeBron by name, fans quickly decoded the reference. Lines about switching sides, loyalty, and public gestures were widely interpreted as directed toward the NBA star.

That track marked the first major sign that the LeBron-Drake friendship may have cooled. And now, with Drake making on-stage lyric changes at one of Europe’s biggest hip-hop festivals, the tension is fully public.

This Isn’t the First Time Drake Changed the Lyric

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Drake flipped the “Nonstop” lyric to diss LeBron. During his “Anita Max Wynn” tour stop in Perth, Australia earlier this year, he made the same switch.

There, fans caught on immediately. And while no official statement followed, the pattern was emerging: Drake doesn’t take LeBron’s attendance at Kendrick’s show lightly.

That small moment in L.A. clearly left a mark—and Drake’s been letting his bars speak ever since.

The Kendrick Lamar Factor

None of this is happening in a vacuum. Drake is currently navigating one of the most publicized beefs of his career. His long-standing rivalry with Kendrick Lamar escalated in 2024 with a flurry of diss tracks from both sides. But the consensus in much of the hip-hop community is that Kendrick came out on top, especially after the viral success of “Not Like Us” and the legendary energy of his Pop-Out concert in Inglewood.

That concert wasn’t just a show—it was a statement. With appearances from artists like YG, Dr. Dre, Schoolboy Q, and Ty Dolla $ign, it felt like a full-court press from the West Coast. Seeing LeBron James—a public figure with enormous influence—at that event added weight and validation to Kendrick’s moment.

It was, in essence, a cultural crossover moment. And Drake, known for having a sharp eye on the court of public opinion, clearly took notice.

Fans React Online

As expected, fans lit up social media after the lyric change. On X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram, users debated whether Drake’s bar was warranted, petty, or just clever wordplay.

Some comments praised the subtlety:

“Drake taking notes on loyalty, huh?”

Others thought it was an overreaction:

“Drake needs to relax. Bron was just at a concert.”

And some fans sided with LeBron, citing his love for the culture and his right to attend any show he wants:

“LeBron been loving hip-hop his whole life. Let the man live.”

The differing opinions show just how much hip-hop, basketball, and celebrity culture now overlap—and how quickly fans can divide over perceived loyalty.

Is This the End of Their Friendship?

That’s harder to gauge. Drake hasn’t directly called out LeBron outside of his lyrics, and LeBron hasn’t publicly responded to the changed lines or “What Did I Miss?”

However, the fact that Drake has now altered lyrics in multiple live performances, and dropped an entire singlereferencing the issue, shows it’s more than just a passing feeling.

For fans who’ve seen LeBron and Drake share private dinners, hang out at concerts, or joke around on IG Live, this cooling of their relationship is symbolic of something broader: even in hip-hop-adjacent friendships, the lines of loyalty matter.

The Intersection of Sports and Rap Loyalty

LeBron James has always been more than just a basketball player. He’s a cultural icon with a deep appreciation for hip-hop. Whether it’s quoting lyrics in postgame interviews, promoting new albums, or even dabbling in production, LeBron lives the culture.

But his presence at Kendrick’s show reveals something deeper: fans, and artists, now see support as a statement. In 2025’s interconnected media world, attending a rival’s concert is no longer just a night out—it’s a move that can shift perception.

For Drake, who has always curated his inner circle with precision, LeBron’s attendance likely felt like a public siding with the opposition.

Drake’s lyric change at Wireless Festival wasn’t just a clever bar—it was a continuation of an ongoing story. One that includes hip-hop beef, celebrity friendship, and the blurred lines between personal loyalty and public expression.

Whether or not LeBron responds—or even cares—is unclear. But for now, Drake’s letting his live performances, his lyrics, and his fans do the talking.

And as always in hip-hop: every bar counts.