Rap Legend Drake performed at Chase Center this past weekend alongside 21 Savage, playing many of his greatest hits. Drake's performance was dynamic as he engaged and fed off the energy from the Bay Area crowd. Drake was very appreciative of the Bay, noting that "not a lot of places had the impact on his life that the Bay Area has" and saying that the Chase Center crowd was the loudest he's witnessed on his entire "It's All a Blur" tour.
This past weekend marked his first Bay Area concert in five years and his first in the Warriors’ new home. Drake enjoyed the shows so much that he vowed to never make Bay Area residents wait that long for another concert.
The iconic rapper has several ties to the Warriors, being good friends with Stephen Curry, sharing Canadian roots with Andrew Wiggins and Cory Joseph and having name-dropped current Warriors in numerous songs.
Read below for some of Drake's most iconic Warriors' name drops.
Lyric: "I been Steph Curry with the shot, Been cookin’ with the sauce, Chef Curry with the pot, boy” – From '0 To 100'
This lyric compares Stephen Curry's skill and production on the court to Drake's in the rap game. A couple of lines before this lyric, Drake says, "If I ain't the greatest then I'm headed for it." The song 'O to 100' came out in 2015 – the same year Curry won his first MVP and championship – the beginning of a run that puts him among the league's most accomplished players.
Lyric: "Hittin’ like that 30 on my jersey, man, I’m gifted” – From 'Still Here'
In this song, Drake talks about how he's overcome many struggles and hardships from his past and is now thriving in the rap game. 'Still Here' came out in 2016 as Drake parallels performing like the unanimous MVP at his craft and being 30 years old still at the top.
Lyric: "Golden State running practice at my house, what am I about?” – From 'Summer Sixteen'
This lyric is based on a true story…sort of. Having a good relationship with the Warriors’ two-time NBA MVP, Curry has played pickup basketball games in Drake's backyard. While he didn't bring the entire squad with him, few can say they've witnessed a nine-time NBA All-Star hooping in their backyard.
Lyric: "You know Chubbs like Draymond. You better off not saying nothing, them boys they a handful." – From 'Summer Sixteen'
Nesser "Chubbs" Beezer is Drake's head of security and like Warriors' forward Draymond Green, Drake says he's not to be messed with. Green serves as an on-court enforcer, with his tenacity providing an edge for his team. Green felt honored to be featured in a Drake song.
“That was cool for me,” Green said via ESPN. “I said, ‘Mama, I made it.’ Drake is talking about me in the song. It was incredible."
Lyric: "Rookie of the year, ’06 Chris Paul sh*t” – From 'Ignant Sh*t'
In this song, Drake shows love to Chris Paul – who had an incredible rookie season – averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.2 steals – winning the Rookie of the Year award with the New Orleans Hornets. Heading into his 19th NBA season and first with the Warriors, Paul began his NBA career the same year Drake began rapping, which highlights the longevity of both in their respective crafts.
Lyric: “Draft Day, A. Wiggins” – From 'Draft Day'
In 'Draft Day,' Drake gives flowers to a fellow Canadian, Andrew Wiggins, who was selected first overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. Wiggins received tremendous hype as a prospect compared to NBA legends like Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter. He was even coined by some the 'Maple Mamba.' Since coming to the Warriors, Wiggins has become an NBA All-Star and NBA Champion (2022).
Lyric: "I get a ring and I bring it home like I’m Cory Joe” – Charged Up
After winning a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, Cory Joseph signed a multi-year contract with the Toronto Raptors. With Joseph and Drake both being Canadian, Drake showed love to Joseph for bringing that championship DNA to his hometown team. Joseph will now bring that championship DNA to the Bay after signing with the Dubs this summer.