Drake Sparks Controversy With 'Pray for Gaza' Lyric

Canadian-Jewish superstar Drake has ignited controversy with a new song featuring the lyric "Pray for Gaza." The short film, titled FOMO, released Tuesday, includes previously unheard tracks, one of which contains the pro-Palestinian statement.

While Drake typically avoids political commentary, this is not his first public stance on the conflict. In October 2023, shortly after the Hamas attacks that killed approximately 1,200 people and saw over 250 taken hostage, Drake was among the initial signatories of an open letter from Artists4Ceasefire. This letter urged then-U.S. President Joe Biden and Congress to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to veteran producer Salaam Remi, who worked with Drake, signing the letter was a simple process initiated by a friend. Remi recalled being asked if Drake would sign, and after speaking with the artist and his team, Drake agreed.

This recent statement appears to contrast with an earlier song by Drake from his album ICEMAN. In that track, he criticized DJ Khaled, whose parents are from Ramallah, for his silence regarding Israel's war against Hamas, with Drake rapping, "Your people still waiting for you to say free Palestine, but maybe you don't know, it's not black and white, red and green."