Drake drew heavy criticism over the weekend after walking out with Morgan Wallen during the country singer’s show in Houston, reigniting outrage over Wallen’s past use of a racial slur and raising fresh questions about Drake’s standing in the Hip-Hop Community.
Morgen Wallen brought out Drake at his show in Houston tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/CZ1d5n79lO
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) June 22, 2025
The Toronto rapper appeared alongside Wallen and baseball icon Roger Clemens in a moment that quickly went viral—not for the music, but for the optics.
Many in the Hip-Hop community saw the move as a calculated attempt by Drake to tap into Wallen’s massive fanbase, even if it meant aligning with someone whose past behavior remains a sore spot.
Drake now that he feels betrayed by everybody black: pic.twitter.com/eZDrpZPjm5
— Jazzyyyy (@JasmineBihhhh) June 22, 2025
“Drake came out as a guest for someone that was calling us n###### a few years ago… Not like us indeed,” one user posted on X, referencing Kendrick Lamar’s diss “Not Like Us.”
In that song, Lamar accused Drake of exploiting Black culture, labeled him a “colonizer” and questioned his authenticity in Hip-Hop.
The online backlash was swift and brutal. “Drake being buddy buddy with a white man who calls Black people the hard -er makes a lot of sense actually. this is the same man who thought ‘rapping like you tryna free the slaves’ was an insult,” another person wrote.
Critics also pointed to a deeper pattern in Drake’s career, arguing that his recent public losses—especially to K. Dot—have left him scrambling to maintain relevance.
“Yall was comparing Drake to Tupac earlier LMFAO pac had BLACK PANTHERS in his family,” another user added. “This idiot asked Kendrick why he ‘tryna make the slaves free’ and now on stage w. a white man who says n####…he been ignorant & tone deaf his entire career.”
Morgan Wallen Sparked Outrage For Using Racial Slurs
Wallen, who in 2021 was caught on video using the N-word outside his home, faced widespread fallout at the time.
He was suspended by his label, pulled from radio and streaming playlists, and barred from major music awards. Though he has since returned to the spotlight, his name still carries controversy—especially in communities that haven’t forgotten the incident.
Drake’s appearance wasn’t just a surprise—it was seen by some as a betrayal. Hip-Hop commentators argued the move further distances him from the genre that helped build his career. Some labeled the moment “atrocious” and “cringe,” accusing him of chasing clout at the expense of integrity.
The collaboration also fits a pattern for Wallen, who has brought out big-name guests throughout his tour. But none have stirred the kind of backlash Drake’s walkout did.