Drake Fires Subtle Shots at Kendrick Lamar in “Nokia” Video — Dance Moves, Owls & NBA Cameos Spark Debate

  • bySimon
  • April 1, 2025
  • 3 minute read
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Drake Fires Subtle Shots at Kendrick Lamar in “Nokia” Video — Dance Moves, Owls & NBA Cameos Spark Debate

Drake has finally released the highly anticipated music video for “Nokia,” the breakout hit from his joint album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PARTYNEXTDOOR — and fans are convinced it’s filled with subliminal jabs aimed at Kendrick Lamar.

Although many in the hip-hop world have declared Kendrick the clear winner in their headline-making feud, Drake isn’t backing down — opting to respond through sleek visuals and radio-friendly tracks instead of more direct diss records. As he put it on “Gimme a Hug”:
“F* a rap beef, I’m tryna get the party lit.”**

Directed by longtime collaborator Theo Skudra, the visually stunning “Nokia” video leans into that party energy while dropping more than a few Easter eggs seemingly aimed at Lamar and his chart-topping run.

1. Mocking Kendrick’s Dance Moves?

In Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” video, he showed off some uncharacteristic dance moves — light, almost awkward footwork that stood out. In “Nokia,” Drake appears to fire back with his own exaggerated “dad dancing” in several scenes, possibly mocking Kendrick’s attempt at club-friendly charisma.

2. Owl Imagery Reimagined

Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” video ended with him staring down a caged owl — a shot at Drake’s OVO brand logo. But in “Nokia,” Drizzy flips the symbolism: six owls are perched high on a cell tower in the video’s closing scene, soaring free rather than trapped — a message, perhaps, that he’s still watching from above.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. DeMar DeRozan

Kendrick featured DeMar DeRozan, a Compton native and former Toronto Raptor, in “Not Like Us” — signaling a sense of hometown pride and loyalty. In contrast, “Nokia” features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder star and Toronto native who once played in Kendrick’s L.A. backyard for the Clippers.

Drake previously called out DeRozan in an unreleased track, accusing him and others of turning on him for clout:
“The world fell in love with the gimmicks, even my brothers got tickets.”

Bringing in Shai feels like Drake’s way of building a counter narrative — turning Kendrick’s hometown pride on its head.

4. Snakes on Nokia Screens

One of the most symbolic shots in the video shows Drake surrounded by screens playing the old Nokia Snake game — a nod to betrayal, disloyalty, and fake friends in the music industry. He’s made it clear in interviews and lyrics that he feels isolated and targeted, especially after his legal battles with Universal Music Group following Kendrick’s “Not Like Us.”

5. Chart Comeback Energy

While Kendrick’s dominance continues — especially with “Luther” featuring SZA holding the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 for six straight weeks — “Nokia” has shown real momentum. After debuting at No. 7 and briefly sliding, the track is back at No. 7, gaining four spots this week. With the music video now live, it could climb even higher — potentially giving Drake his first No. 1 since 2023’s “First Person Shooter” with J. Cole, the song that kickstarted this feud in the first place.

What’s Next?

While Drake continues to dodge direct lyrical disses, the symbolism in “Nokia” speaks volumes. Whether or not it’s enough to swing the narrative his way remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Drizzy isn’t done fighting — he’s just changing the arena.

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