Fans have expressed surprise and support after Canadian rapper Drake released three albums on Friday, with one of them containing lyrics taking aim at music producer DJ Khaled over his silence on Israel’s war on Gaza.
“Your people are still waiting for a ‘Free Palestine,’ but apparently, everything isn’t black and white and red and green. I’m seeing everyone’s true colours, for real,” the song titled ‘Make Them Pay’ says.
DJ Khaled, real name Khaled Mohamed Khaled, has come under mounting criticism since the start of the war on Gaza in 2023, with fans decrying him for refusing to use his platform to raise awareness on the plight of civilians in Gaza.
Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced nearly all the population, and devastated the territory, with famine breaking out in some areas in 2025 due to Israel cutting off supplies.
Hundreds of high-profile celebrities spoke out against the war, but DJ Khaled was widely condemned by Palestinians for his silence.
Many have praised Drake for speaking out, urging other singers and actors to do the same.
“DJ Khaled is the most embarrassing Palestinian. It’s even worse that Drake had to be the one to call him out,” one person commented on X.
“DJ Khaled is a major tether, lol. He’s so deep into appropriating Black American culture that he actually forgot he’s Palestinian . I’m glad Drake called him out on the Iceman album,” another wrote.
However, the lyrics from Drake have divided opinion, with some stating that he too has not been vocal enough about Israel’s war on Gaza.
“Drake did not say ‘free Palestine’ he was asking DJ Khaled why he hasn’t said it which is pretty hypocritical considering this is the first time he’s ever mentioned Palestine and it’s only to drag someone he dislikes…” one person wrote.
“DJ Khaled is nasty for not speaking up about Palestine but I’ve never heard Drake mention Palestine before either,” another said.
Drake, who is half-Jewish, has largely refrained from commenting on Israel’s war on Gaza, but in October 2023, was one of the many artists who signed the Artists4Ceasefire campaign letter.
The letter demanded a truce in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the enclave.
Key signatories included Jennifer Lopez, Zayn Malik, Kristen Stewart, Frank Ocean, Ben Affleck and Bella Hadid.
Despite a ceasefire agreed in October 2025, Israel has continued to demolish homes and kill Palestinians on a daily basis.
At least 850 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the truce came into effect, while humanitarian conditions remain dire.
