Drake’s ninth studio album, Iceman, drops at midnight tonight, May 15, 2026. And between the final livestream episode airing right now, a newly leaked track taking shots at Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and LeBron James, and one of the most elaborate album rollouts in recent memory, the internet is fully on fire heading into the release.
Here is everything you need to know before the album lands.
When Does Drake’s Iceman Album Drop?
Iceman releases at midnight on May 15, 2026, via OVO Sound and Republic Records. If you are in the US, that means:
- Eastern Time: 12:00 AM Friday, May 15
- Central Time: 11:00 PM Thursday, May 14
- Pacific Time: 9:00 PM Thursday, May 14
It will be available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal at those times.
What Is Drake’s Iceman Episode 4? Is It Happening Tonight?
Yes. Before the album drops at midnight, Drake is airing Iceman Episode 4 tonight, May 14, at 9 PM EST on his official YouTube channel. This is the fourth and final installment in the cinematic livestream series he has been using to roll out the project since July 2025.
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Each previous episode previewed new music. Episode 1 introduced “What Did I Miss?”, Episode 2 previewed “Which One” featuring Central Cee, and Episode 3 set up “Somebody Loves Me Pt. 2.” The finale tonight is expected to be the biggest one yet, with early reports from insiders suggesting the stream could run two to three hours and feature scenes filmed at a cemetery and a police station.
Drake has also wiped his entire Instagram page and replaced it with countdown promotional content, a move that sent fan communities into overdrive earlier this week.
The Leaked Track: What Did Drake Say on “1AM in Albany”?
A track titled “1AM in Albany” leaked online on May 13, and it appears to be from the Iceman album. Drake’s label has since been actively blocking streams of it, but the bars have already spread across social media.
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On the song, Drake takes aim at three major targets:
Kendrick Lamar: Drake references religious themes and takes a shot at Kendrick’s chart performance, suggesting his rival needed controversial talking points to generate plays. He also takes a height-based jab, referencing 5-foot-3 NBA legend Muggsy Bogues. The two have been in an on-and-off rap feud since Kendrick took shots at Drake and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” in 2024. The beef reached its peak when Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” dominated streaming charts, swept the 2025 Grammys, and was performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2025.
LeBron James: Drake targeted LeBron for appearing at Kendrick’s pop-out concert during the 2024 beef, rapping about LeBron’s history of switching teams. LeBron had publicly sided with Kendrick during the feud.
J. Cole: Drake appeared to take a dig at J. Cole, referring to him as a “married rapper.” Cole famously dropped a diss track during the 2024 feud, then pulled it back and removed himself from the beef entirely, a move that was widely criticized by rap fans.
Whether “1AM in Albany” makes the final tracklist is still unconfirmed. Drake’s label moving to block the leaks suggests it could be a bonus track or a last-minute addition rather than a standard cut.
How Drake Revealed the Iceman Release Date
The Iceman rollout has been one of the most unusual and creative in recent memory, and it started with a massive ice sculpture.
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On April 20, a 25-foot ice structure appeared in downtown Toronto as part of a promotional stunt. The area was quickly surrounded by fans who began hacking at the sculpture with pickaxes and hammers, eventually setting parts of it on fire. Toronto police had to seal off the location. The next day, online streamer Kishka managed to retrieve a hidden bag frozen inside the structure. The bag contained a magazine and a pin-up that listed the album’s release date as May 15.
Drake later confirmed the date on his social media accounts. The stunt immediately went viral and spawned a wave of internet memes, with fake album covers for “Fireman” by Kendrick Lamar and “Earthman” by J. Cole circulating widely as jokes.
Earlier in the rollout, Drake was spotted filming content at the CN Tower in Toronto, which was lit up in ice blue for the occasion. He had also been teasing the project as far back as August 2024 with cryptic social media posts referencing Val Kilmer’s “Iceman” character from Top Gun.
What Songs Are on Drake’s Iceman Album?
A confirmed full tracklist has not been released yet. The three officially released singles from the rollout are:
- “What Did I Miss?” (released July 2025)
- “Which One” featuring Central Cee (released later in 2025)
- “Dog House” featuring Yeat and Julia Wolf (released September 2025)
Whether these three singles appear on the final album is unconfirmed. Drake has hinted at additional collaborations, including a possible 21 Savage feature previewed during Episode 1 and potential Playboi Carti contributions that were teased but remain unconfirmed.
“1AM in Albany” is the newest addition to the speculation list following its leak on May 13.
What to Expect from Drake’s Iceman
Iceman is Drake’s first full-length solo studio album since For All the Dogs in 2023. His last three solo albums have each taken a different direction creatively. Certified Lover Boy (2021) went heavy on pop rap with a large list of features. Honestly, Nevermind (2022) surprised everyone by pivoting into house music and dance rhythms. For All the Dogs (2023) pulled back toward rap and reflection.
With Iceman, early previews from the livestream episodes suggest Drake is leaning into a more personal and introspective sound, with themes around fractured friendships, legacy, and pressure. The project also arrives in a very different landscape than his last solo effort. The 2024 rap beef with Kendrick Lamar ended badly for Drake by most public accounts, and Iceman is widely being watched as his attempt to reestablish himself on his own terms.
For ongoing reaction and tracking as the album drops at midnight, The Source, Capital Xtra, and Variety are providing live coverage.
Quick Facts: Drake Iceman Album
- Artist: Drake
- Album title: Iceman
- Release date: May 15, 2026 (midnight)
- Label: OVO Sound / Republic Records
- Type: Ninth studio solo album
- Confirmed singles: “What Did I Miss?”, “Which One” (ft. Central Cee), “Dog House” (ft. Yeat & Julia Wolf)
- Iceman Episode 4: Airing May 14, 2026 at 9 PM EST on YouTube
- Notable leaked track: “1AM in Albany” (targets Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, LeBron James)
