Drake‘s recent 6.5-hour livestream on Kick, dubbed “Drizzmas,” has sparked excitement and controversy. While fans tuned in for the holiday cheer and generosity that reminded them of his “God’s Plan” music video, his actions on the stream seem to have rubbed some powerful players the wrong way.
The livestream featured Drake and fellow streamer Adin Ross gifting thousands of dollars to fans and donations to various charitable causes. It was a heartwarming sight, with Drake throwing money around in a manner that many thought was a Christmas miracle in the making. However, as the night wore on, a deeper issue began to surface—a fallout with Stake, the online gambling platform that has been a key partner in Drake’s streaming endeavors.
The trouble started when Kick’s CEO, Eddie Craven, was supposed to fund some of the giveaways but unexpectedly pulled out. This left Drake to cover the entire cost himself. Reports soon emerged that this financial strain and Drake’s generosity created tension between him and Stake’s owners. They were reportedly upset by the scale of his giveaways, with some suggesting that his spending was far more than they had anticipated or agreed upon.
Although the reason for Drake’s page being taken down from Kick isn’t clear, some believe it is related to all the drama about his generosity on the stream.
“Stake’s owners didn’t like how much money he gave away on the stream,” one fan page says. Although he wished to bless more people, it seemed the dispute over excessive giveaways between him and his partners led to his channel being removed. Speculations are growing that Drake’s partnerships with Kick and Stake may end.
In response to the controversy, Bijan Tehrani, co-founder of Kick and Stake, responded cryptically with the blue hat emoji, often used to mean “cap” or “lies” in internet slang. When the fan page asked why Drake had shared screenshots bashing the platform in the chat, Tehrani responded, “Did you watch the stream? Referring to the slots. Not that deep.” The exchange seemed to confuse matters regarding the situation further and left the fans wondering what was happening behind the scenes.
Drake’s reaction was swift and vocal. Alleged chat logs from the live stream revealed his frustration. One comment he made about the situation stood out: “Well, Eddie put some money up, but he takes it back from me, so it’s me paying. Good Ponzi scheme.” The rapper appeared genuinely upset about how Stake handled the sponsorship funds, and it’s clear that the tension between the parties was reaching a boiling point.
To make matters worse, Drake’s Kick channel now shows a 404 error, sparking speculation that his platform may have been suspended or banned due to the dispute. Some sources suggest that his username could have been altered rather than a full ban, but whatever the case, it’s clear that the relationship between Drake, Kick, and Stake is under significant strain.
But what’s at the heart of this drama? Is it purely about money, or is there something more to it?
Drake’s frustration isn’t just about the giveaways. There’s an underlying issue with how his partnership with Stake is handled. From the outside, his stream might have looked like nothing but a fun holiday special, but it was much more than that for Drake. The rapper, who has often made his charitable endeavors a central theme of his public persona, didn’t hold back on showing love to his fans. However, Stake’s failure to hold up their end of the deal has disappointed him.
This situation has also reignited Drake’s ongoing rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. During the stream, Drake responded to criticism from streamer Pokimane regarding his involvement with Stake. He jokingly remarked,
“I watched the clip; what’s she mad about? Is it the braids??!” This cryptic comment seemed to poke fun at Kendrick’s diss track “Euphoria,” which also critiques shady business practices.
Some fans quickly defended Drake’s charitable actions despite the tensions with Stake. They praised his generosity, noting that his goal was to spread holiday joy rather than profit from his streams. “He’s just trying to give back to his fans. What’s wrong with that?” one fan commented. Yet, others remained concerned about the ethics of gambling sponsorships and how that impacts both Drake and Stake’s reputations.
On the flip side, plenty of humor was circulating the controversy. Fans poked fun at Drake’s age, calling him “Unc” and joking about his sensitivity during the stream. Some suggested that Drake might be out of touch with younger audiences, particularly when he seemed upset about being called “Unc” by Adin Ross. These lighthearted jabs reflected the mixed feelings surrounding Drake’s involvement with the gambling platform.
As for Stake, the backlash surrounding their handling of the situation might lead to reevaluating their partnership with Drake. The gambling platform, which has faced legal issues, is now caught in a public dispute that could tarnish its image. Although fans received Drake’s generous giveaways well, the business side of things has left a sour taste in the mouths of those who were expecting a more organized and collaborative effort.
The fallout between Drake and Stake seems to be more about a breakdown in communication and unmet expectations than any grand scandal. Drake’s commitment to his fans and his desire to be generous is clear, but his partners’ financial and logistical missteps have created an awkward situation. The future of his relationship with Stake remains uncertain, and while no official statements have been made, the drama surrounding the stream has raised many questions about what’s next for both Drake and the platforms he works with.
