Drake Stirs Up Online Debate As Old Robert Kraft Lyrics Resurface Amid "Pray For Gaza" Bar

BY Alexander Cole Published on September 17, 2026

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Dec 5, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Recording artist Drake (gold jacket) sits courtside during a game between the Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

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Drake has inspired a debate about his support for Gaza as old lyrics about New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft have resurfaced.

Drake is an artist who is constantly being analyzed for his lyrics and his stances on important topics. In fact, over the years, the artist has faced criticism for not being vocal enough when it comes to politics.

During his FOMO stream on Tuesday evening, Drake switched things up a bit when he dropped a bar saying "pray for Gaza." It was a direct reference to the plight of the Palestinian people, who have been under occupation for decades. Many were quick to praise the artist for his stance, while others are taking a much more cynical approach.

For instance, one person on X pointed out the fact that Drake positively referenced New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in the song, "Middle Of The Ocean." It was here that he rapped, "Robert Kraft sent the jet for us, that shit was patriotic. This bar was used to suggest that Drake is some sort of hypocrite.

Drake Called Out For Hypocrisy

For those who don't know, Robert Kraft was credited with getting Macklemore kicked off Ed Sheeran's tour for his pro-Palestine message. Since then, numerous opening acts have removed themselves from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people. Kraft's involvement in this story is ultimately why some feel a way about Drake's recent lyrics.

However, in typical X fashion, this stirred up an interesting debate about whether or not the lyrics from "Middle Of The Ocean" are a reach. The song was made well before October 7th, 2023, during a time when the conflict wasn't as top of mind for the American public. Therefore, some feel like it's a stretch to believe that Drake would have known Kraft's positions on the situation.

Fans Debate

Below, you can find multiple tweets, some of which side with Drake, while others are critical. Ultimately, this discourse just goes to show that Drake is one of the most scrutinized artists in the world. When you have his platform, this scrutiny simply comes with the territory. Whether or not that is fair is another question entirely.

About The Author

Alexander Cole

Alexander Cole is the current editor-in-chief of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. It was here where he began to hone his craft, putting his journalism degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, to good use. Since that time, he has documented some of the biggest stories in the hip-hop world. From the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef to the disturbing allegations against Diddy, Alex has helped HotNewHipHop navigate large-scale stories as they happen. In 2021, he went to the Bahamas for the Big 3's Championship Game. It was here where he got to interview legendary figures like Ice Cube, Clyde Drexler, and Stephen Jackson. He has also interviewed other superstar athletes such as Antonio Brown, Damian Lillard, and Paul Pierce. This is in addition to conversations with social media provocateurs like Jake Paul, and younger respected artists like Kaycyy, Lil Tecca, and Jeleel!