The Golden State Warriors have given the world plenty of cultural moments over the last decade. Four championships. A dynasty that reshaped how basketball is played. And at the center of all of it, Stephen Curry has become one of the most referenced athletes in popular culture.
Friday brought another reminder of that reach.
Drake dropped a trilogy of new albums at midnight, and the Warriors star earned a notable mention on one of the tracks.
Drake Gives Curry His Flowers on Iceman
Rapper Drake and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors exchange words during a timeout in the first quarter during Game One of the 2019 NBA Finals.
On the track “2 Hard 4 The Radio” from his new Iceman album, Drake referenced Curry’s journey from a small college in Davidson, North Carolina, to becoming the face of the NBA’s most celebrated dynasty. The line landed as a straightforward tribute, with Drake rapping, “Back when they was askin bout where Davison was at, now everybody got a blue 30 on they back,” a clever nod to Curry’s humble basketball roots, his iconic jersey number, and the massive global reach of his influence.
It was not the first time Drake has shouted out Curry. The Toronto rapper previously coined the phrase “Steph Curry with the shot” on a 2014 track, a line that became one of the more recognizable athlete references in hip-hop. He also referenced the Warriors’ dominance on Summer Sixteen, a track that predated Golden State’s stunning 2016 NBA Finals collapse against LeBron James and Cleveland.
This time around, the tone was different. The Curry reference on Iceman read as genuine respect for what the four-time champion has built.
“Back when they was askin bout where Davison was at, now everybody got a blue 30 on they back” 🥶
(h/t @30GotNext)
LeBron Was Not So Lucky
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers
Not every NBA star on Iceman came away with a warm mention. LeBron James appeared to take a shot on the album’s “Make Them Remember,” with Drake seemingly referencing James’ decision to attend Kendrick Lamar’s concert during the height of their highly publicized beef in 2024. Rapping, “I shouldn’t even be shocked to see you in that arena, because you always made your career off of switching teams up,” Drake pointed directly to James changing franchises throughout his career, a longtime talking point among his critics.
Drake also appeared to reference James’ jersey number in the same breath, adding another layer to what was already a pointed set of lyrics directed at the Lakers star.
Drake’s History With the NBA
The album references went beyond just Curry and James. Drake name-dropped Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kobe Bryant, and Muggsy Bogues across the trilogy. Jalen Hurts got a nod on the NFL side. Florida’s 2025 NCAA championship run was referenced as well. The three albums, Iceman, Maid of Honour, and Habibti, all hit the top of the U.S. Apple Music charts within hours of release.
For Curry, the mention is another data point in an already remarkable legacy. He changed the way the game is played, built one of the most celebrated dynasties in NBA history, and became the kind of athlete that artists reference simply to acknowledge greatness.
Final Word for the Warriors
Drake has been paying attention to Curry for a long time now.
Davidson is no longer a question. Neither is what the number 30 represents.
Curry has built something that goes beyond basketball.
Drake Praises Warriors’ Steph Curry, Disses LeBron James on New Album