DeMar DeRozan was Drake’s ‘brother.’ Now he’s dancing onstage to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track

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As a longtime fan of both basketball and hip-hop music, I found it surreal to witness NBA star DeMar DeRozan dancing along with Kendrick Lamar during his electrifying performance at the Kia Forum. However, what made this moment even more intriguing was the unique connection that DeRozan shares with both musicians.

At the Kia Forum on Wednesday, NBA player DeMar DeRozan delighted the crowd by dancing enthusiastically during Kendrick Lamar’s live rendition of “Not Like Us” performance.

It’s not surprising that so many people in Los Angeles appeared to be there, as nearly half the city seemed to have gathered at the Forum stage to dance together with the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper. His catchy hit song served double duty as a diss track toward Drake and potentially the final statement in Lamar’s public feud with the Canadian hip-hop sensation.

DeRozan may be the only one with a friendship history between him and Drake among those present.

At Compton High School, DeRozan stood out as a talented athlete. He attended the University of Southern California for a year before being picked ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA draft. Over the next nine years, DeRazan excelled with the Raptors, earning three All-Star nominations. In the 2018 offseason, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a deal that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. More recently, DeRozan was dealt to the Chicago Bulls (in 2021), and this summer, he will be an unrestricted free agent.

Drake, with the full name Aubrey Drake Graham, hails from Toronto and is an ardent supporter of the Raptors. Since 2013, he has held the position of global ambassador for the team. When DeRozan was traded to the Spurs, leaving him heartbroken, Drake was present to offer him solace.

In 2018, DeRozan shared with ESPN how he visited Drake’s house and spent several hours conversing with him. The conversation wasn’t centered around basketball. Instead, it was a heartfelt exchange where DeRozan gained insight into Drake’s perspective as a renowned figure in Toronto and learned about his impact on the city that meant so much to DeRozan personally.

During that period, Drake expressed a heartfelt tribute to DeRozan on Instagram, addressing him not only as a “brother” but also as an “excellent team captain” and an “outstanding friend.”

“To Demar Derozan, my brother, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks on behalf of Toronto. Your impact here is everlasting. Our most thrilling basketball years were under your leadership. Witnessing your blend of skill, determination, and loyalty from the same seats night after night filled me with gratitude. Thank you for being an outstanding team captain and a wonderful friend.”

In my perspective as a moviegoer, Drake paid homage to DeMar DeRozan in his 2021 hit track “Lemon Pepper Freestyle.” He expressed how much Toronto adores him with the lyric, “My city loves me just like DeMar DeRozan.”

But Lamar has a connection with DeRozan as well.

Two individuals, raised in Compton and spotted at a 2020 peace rally within the city, are Lamar and DeRozan. Amidst his feud with Drake escalating significantly during the spring season, Lamar unveiled “Not Like Us” as a track, subtly mentioning DeRozan through its lyrics: “I’m relieved DeRozan’s back, you all didn’t value him enough.”

As a film enthusiast, I was there at the “The Pop Out — Ken & Friends” show in Inglewood on Wednesday, feeling the electric energy in the air. Lamar owned the stage with his captivating performance of the popular track multiple times in a row. The crowd went wild as DeRozan and Clippers star Russell Westbrook, both local heroes, joined in the fun onstage during Lamar’s fifth and final rendition. The excitement was palpable as they danced together with the audience. Meanwhile, Lakers stars LeBron James and James Harden, who have graced the Clippers court before, watched from the sidelines, adding to the star-studded atmosphere of the event.

Perhaps DeRozan’s actions weren’t intended as a response to Drake. He might have merely wanted to join in the excitement without giving much consideration.

Perhaps DeRozan was seeking retaliation for the repeated jabs taken during the 2017 NBA Awards skit between himself, Drake, and Will Ferrell. Given recent events, Drake might be regretting his playful digs at DeRozan’s name, including “DeMar, I say it, the less I like it” and “DeFense? Is that your cousin, DeMar?”

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2024-07-18 21:17