Joe Budden is already bracing for potential disses from Drake's upcoming Iceman album, and he thinks J. Cole and LeBron James could be in the line of fire.
During a recent discussion on The Joe Budden Podcast, the former rapper suggested Drake may aim at J. Cole on the project, arguing that even subtle references would count as shots.
"Yeah, I want to hear the Cole diss on Drake's album," Budden said, before doubling down on his stance and referencing Cole's recent stint with the Chinese Basketball Association. "Yes, I think he getting dissed… you can hide in the China league all you want them n***as love Drake too."
The comment sparked debate among the panel, with some pushing back on whether Drake would go that far. Others suggested that if anything does appear, it may come in the form of indirect jabs rather than outright attacks.
"It's gonna be at least a couple subs," Parks added, while Ish argued there's a difference between mentioning someone and dissing them outright.
Budden, however, wasn't convinced. "A mention is a diss to me," he said, making it clear he expects Drake's tone to lean critical rather than complimentary.
The conversation didn't stop with Cole. The group also floated the idea that LeBron could be referenced as well, potentially even more directly.
"Who catching more disses? Cole or Bron?" Ice asked.
"Bron by far," Ice responded, with the group largely agreeing that the NBA superstar could be a target if Drake decides to air out frustrations on the album.
Whether Drake actually follows through remains to be seen, but the speculation reflects how closely fans and commentators are watching his next move, especially after a turbulent year in hip-hop.
Drake's relationship with both J. Cole and LeBron James has grown more complicated in the wake of his high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar in 2024.
With J. Cole, the dynamic shifted after Cole initially stepped into the lyrical back-and-forth before ultimately bowing out and publicly apologizing to Kendrick. While Drake and Cole previously shared a collaborative and competitive respect, highlighted by songs like "First Person Shooter," Cole's decision to step away from the conflict left room for speculation about how Drake truly felt about it.
LeBron's situation is different but still layered. The Lakers star has long been publicly supportive of Drake, frequently attending shows and promoting his music. However, during the Drake-Kendrick battle, LeBron was seen engaging with Kendrick's music as well and attending the Pop Out concert, which some fans interpreted as a sign of neutrality or even a subtle shift in allegiance.
