Fans eagerly anticipating the release of Drake‘s ninth studio album, ICEMAN, received a mixed update recently regarding the project. While a series of snippets from unreleased tracks have surfaced online, Mal from the New Rory & Mal podcast has stepped in to clarify that these leaks will not be featured on the upcoming album.
During a recent episode, Mal addressed the online leaks that emerged shortly after J. Cole released his project, The Fall-Off. Responding to a question about a specific leak, Mal stated, “I didn’t hear it, but whatever it is, it ain’t on ICEMAN.” He emphasized that none of the content circulating on the internet is part of the album, asserting, “None of what y’all are hearing on the internet is on ICEMAN. I can promise you that it’s not. None of that sh*t.”
Release Date Speculations and Online Buzz
As for the release date of ICEMAN, Mal indicated that listeners could expect the album to drop on February 13, 2024. However, an official announcement regarding the release date has yet to be made, leaving fans in suspense.
Mal’s comments coincide with discussions held by DJ Akademiks, who recently spoke about the leaks during a livestream. He suggested that the snippets have overshadowed J. Cole’s recent release, expressing that not everyone is pleased with the situation. “When people say, ‘Why would Ak do it?,’ well, I did it for that moment, to be the n***a who did it for that moment,” he explained. Akademiks further mentioned that if he had a snippet from Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole, he would have shared it during the stream as well. He acknowledged that this approach might not have pleased everyone, particularly Drake and Cole’s teams.
Fan Reactions and Industry Impact
The leaks and subsequent discussions have generated significant buzz in the hip-hop community, with fans voicing a mix of excitement and frustration. Some are eager for the new music, while others express discontent over the leaks potentially taking attention away from J. Cole’s release.
As anticipation builds for ICEMAN, it remains clear that Drake’s fans are keen to hear what the artist has in store. With Mal’s firm assurances that the leaked music will not be part of the album, the focus now shifts back to the official release, which promises to bring fresh sounds from one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.
