Drake is still dominating Spotify streams as fans eagerly await his ninth studio album, ICEMAN.
It’s no secret the last few years have been a wild ride for Drake. From facing heavy scrutiny during his high-profile clash with Kendrick Lamar to proving his hitmaking power hasn’t slowed down, he’s shown that no matter how messy things get, his commercial success stays intact.
Now, according to Kurrco, Drake could be on the verge of breaking a major record. The outlet reports he’s currently on track to secure the biggest streaming year ever for a rapper, already pulling in over 5 billion streams on Spotify in 2026 alone.
This latest milestone comes as anticipation builds for ICEMAN. While there’s still no confirmed release date, the album is expected to drop sometime this year. Just earlier this week, the Toronto star was seen at Toronto City Hall, filming what fans believe could be a music video.
During a recent appearance on The Danza Project, Chris Blake Griffith claimed that Drake is holding off on releasing the album until he reaches a settlement with Universal Music Group. The rapper has been entangled in a legal dispute with the label for months, after filing a lawsuit last January over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us, accusing the company of knowingly pushing a false narrative that labeled him a predator.
As it stands, Drake is currently appealing the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit. A newly filed amicus brief backing UMG includes input from several scholars and social scientists who strongly challenge his claims.
According to reports, the brief argues that Drake’s legal pursuit could create a risky precedent—one that might open the door to racial bias concerns and potential violations of First Amendment protections.
