Drake ICEMAN Episode 4 — the fourth and final installment of his YouTube series — drops tonight, May 14, at 9:45 PM. Hours before the episode airs, a leaked track titled “1 AM in Albany” surfaced online targeting Kendrick Lamar, LeBron James, J. Cole, Dr. Dre, and Joe Budden. The Drake ICEMAN album itself follows tomorrow, May 15.
The episode drop and the leak together have sent anticipation for the project to its highest point since the rollout began.
“1 AM in Albany” — What the Leaked Track Contains
A five-minute song titled “1 AM in Albany” leaked online on Thursday, May 14, 2026, less than 27 hours before the scheduled release of Drake’s ninth solo studio album. The track appeared on Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok at approximately midnight PST. Within hours it dominated hip-hop social media, with fans dissecting every bar.
Three Drake songs in total surfaced ahead of the release — a shorter studio version of “Supermax,” an incomplete track being called “3PM In New Orleans,” and “1 AM in Albany,” which leaked in full.
Drake Takes Shots at Kendrick Lamar on ICEMAN Leak
The bulk of “1 AM in Albany” is directed at Kendrick Lamar. Drake references Kendrick’s height on the track, rapping: “Muggsy Bogues dunked for once, even I’m a bit amazed, someone give the kid a raise.”
Drake also addresses Kendrick more directly with bars including: “To be the number one, you gotta lead the way, and to hold something over my head forever, you’re still a couple feet away” and “Plot twist, the owl never sees the cage, the owl only wakes up to seize the day.”
Further bars include lines about “finally getting a hit that let you run a base” and accusations that Kendrick relied on controversy and lies to gain momentum during their 2024 battle.
LeBron James and J. Cole Also Targeted
Drake takes direct aim at LeBron James, rapping: “I shouldn’t even be shocked to see you in that arena, because you always made your career off of switching teams up.” The line points at LeBron’s perceived support of Kendrick during the 2024 beef — clips had surfaced of LeBron publicly enjoying “Not Like Us” despite the track’s harsh accusations toward Drake.
J. Cole is addressed as well. Drake raps: “I could’ve fell back like the married rapper, but we engaged, I told y’all I’m settled in my evil ways” — a line widely interpreted as a reference to Cole stepping back from his brief entry into the 2024 Kendrick conflict.
Dr. Dre and Joe Budden also appear to be targets throughout the track, making “1 AM in Albany” one of the most wide-ranging diss records Drake has put to tape in recent memory.
Will “1 AM in Albany” Appear on the Album?
That remains unconfirmed. Hip-hop analysts suggest this specific version is unlikely to appear on the final commercial release, partly because it contains a Joe Budden diss that Drake had previously addressed separately in a livestream statement.
The official ICEMAN album is expected to feature appearances by Future and Kendrick Lamar when it debuts on digital platforms on May 15. Whether “1 AM in Albany” surfaces in any form on the final tracklist is something only tonight’s Episode 4 — and tomorrow’s album — will clarify.
ICEMAN Episode 4 Tonight — What to Expect
Tonight’s Episode 4 on YouTube at 9:45 PM is the final chapter of Drake’s serialized rollout. Each episode has functioned as a standalone visual piece building toward the album. Episode 4 arriving on the eve of the album drop makes it the most significant installment yet — and given the leaked material now circulating, what Drake chooses to address tonight will carry extra weight.
The ICEMAN album itself — Drake’s first solo project since For All The Dogs in 2023 — drops on May 15 across all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
TSNVWRLD will have full coverage of Episode 4 tonight, followed by a complete album breakdown, tracklist, and first-week chart tracking starting May 15.
FAQ — Drake ICEMAN Episode 4 & “1 AM in Albany” Leak
When does Drake’s ICEMAN Episode 4 drop?
Drake’s ICEMAN Episode 4 drops tonight, May 14, at 9:45 PM. It will be available on Drake’s official YouTube channel.
When does the Drake ICEMAN album release?
The ICEMAN album releases on May 15, 2026. It will be available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
What is the Drake ICEMAN YouTube series?
The ICEMAN series is a serialized rollout Drake has been using to build anticipation for the album. Each episode is a standalone visual piece released on YouTube. Episode 4, dropping tonight, is the final installment before the album arrives.
What is “1 AM in Albany”?
“1 AM in Albany” is a five-minute track that leaked online on May 14, 2026, hours before Episode 4 airs. The track features Drake taking shots at Kendrick Lamar, LeBron James, J. Cole, Dr. Dre, and Joe Budden.
Who does Drake diss on “1 AM in Albany”?
Drake targets Kendrick Lamar, LeBron James, J. Cole, Dr. Dre, and Joe Budden on the leaked track. The bars directed at Kendrick and LeBron are the most direct, referencing the 2024 beef and LeBron’s perceived support of Kendrick during that period.
Will “1 AM in Albany” be on the ICEMAN album?
It has not been confirmed. Hip-hop analysts believe this version of the track is unlikely to appear on the final commercial release, given that it contains a Joe Budden diss Drake had previously referenced in a separate livestream statement.
Is ICEMAN Drake’s first album since the Kendrick Lamar beef?
Yes. ICEMAN is Drake’s first solo studio album since For All The Dogs in 2023, making it his first full project released after the highly publicized 2024 conflict with Kendrick Lamar.
