A cryptic IG caption, insider noise, and leaked music suggest Drake’s long-awaited project may finally be nearing release.

Drake has a way of saying very little and still making the entire internet panic. With a recent Instagram image reading, “It’s time to move, isn’t it?”, Drake once again set off speculation that ICEMAN — one of the most anticipated albums that never arrived last year — could finally be on the way. It’s time to cancel plans, refresh timelines, and turn notifications all the way up.

That feeling didn’t come out of nowhere. Akademiks recently tweeted “The ICEMAN coming,” and Mal from the Rory & Mal podcast hinted that a major artist was preparing to drop an album. While that specific day came and went without a release, Drake kept the pot stirring. Along with the IG post, he included pointed bars about betrayal: “I was expecting people who look up to me to look me in the eyes too… but I was wrong about them like I was wrong about you.” As usual, fans immediately started decoding who — or what — he might be referencing.

What’s interesting is how quiet Drake himself has been musically. There haven’t been any new official singles in a while, nor have there been fresh ICEMAN episodes. Instead, the rollout feels outsourced. Streamer personalities like Adin Ross and Akademiks have been doing much of the talking, keeping Drake’s name and the album in constant circulation without him having to formally announce anything.

Then there’s the burner activity. A burner account recently leaked the full version of Drake’s collaboration with Pressa, “NATIONAL TREASURE,” which features a sharp, focused Drake verse that reminds listeners he’s still very much locked in. Hearing new music — even unofficially — makes this moment feel different. It’s not confirmation, but it is movement. For now, all that’s left to do is stay ready. Hip-hop really could use a Shams for music right about now.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.