Drake and The Weeknd—two of the most influential artists in modern music—have had a complex relationship for years, filled with moments of collaboration, tension, and outright rivalry. While fans often celebrate their musical history, there’s a darker side to their story that many don’t fully understand. What started as a friendly partnership between two artists from Toronto has since devolved into an intense feud, with both taking shots at each other in music, interviews, and even in their personal lives. So, what exactly happened between Drake and The Weeknd, and why does it seem like they hate each other now?

The Early Days: Friends and Collaborators

Drake and The Weeknd, both from Toronto, were once seen as close friends and collaborators. In the early 2010s, Drake, already a well-established star, took The Weeknd under his wing. The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) had built a cult following with his mixtapes like House of Balloons, and Drake helped bring his unique sound to the mainstream by featuring him on his 2011 album Take Care. Their collaboration on songs like Crew Love and The Ride was hailed as a perfect match, and many fans believed they were set to dominate the industry together.

But behind the scenes, things were starting to unravel. The Weeknd had been creating his own distinct sound, and while Drake offered him a platform, the relationship was beginning to feel more transactional than supportive. In 2012, when Drake offered The Weeknd a record deal with his OVO Sound label, Abel turned it down, choosing to sign with Republic Records instead. This decision would set the stage for years of tension between the two.

The Turning Point: Betrayal Over Business Deals

The root of their rift lies in business decisions. When The Weeknd chose not to sign with OVO Sound, it caused a fracture in their friendship. While Drake said he respected The Weeknd’s decision, others close to the situation hinted at a deeper feeling of betrayal. According to Abel, he simply felt he could be as successful as Drake, or even more so, and didn’t want to be seen as another artist under his label. In an interview years later, The Weeknd explained, “I don’t want to sign under another artist, because I feel like I could be just as big, if not bigger.”

Drake, however, wasn’t thrilled with the decision. The Weeknd had been one of the first artists Drake promoted, and it seemed like a slap in the face when Abel decided to go his own way. The fallout was palpable, especially when Drake later tweeted, “You won’t get away with just a thank you. You owe me a favor,” which fans quickly deduced was aimed at The Weeknd.

But the tension wasn’t just about business. It was also about music. Fans soon discovered that several of the songs The Weeknd had recorded—like Shot for Me, Crew Love, and The Ride—were actually intended for The Weeknd’s own projects but were taken by Drake for his Take Care album. This sparked further resentment, with The Weeknd hinting in interviews that Drake had “taken” his music without offering enough in return.

The Weekend’s Resentment Grows

As The Weeknd’s career flourished with massive hits like Blinding Lights and Starboy, the animosity between him and Drake grew stronger. In 2013, The Weeknd openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Drake’s actions, particularly about the songs he gave him. “I was hungry. I was like, ‘Dude, take anything. I’m giving you almost half my album.’ I’m always thankful, but I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

But as time went on, the bitterness wasn’t just limited to business—there were personal issues as well. The two artists’ romantic lives started to intersect, and that’s where things got truly messy.

Love Triangles: Bella Hadid and Drake’s Flirtation

One of the most dramatic chapters in their feud came in 2017 when The Weeknd was dating supermodel Bella Hadid. As rumors swirled about their breakup, a shocking detail emerged: Drake was allegedly seen flirting with Bella at a party in New York, and some sources claimed the two even hooked up. This would have undoubtedly angered The Weeknd, who was still fresh out of a relationship with Bella.

In his song Lost in the Fire, The Weeknd seemed to address this drama, with lyrics that many took as a subtle jab at Drake. He sings, “I just want a baby with the right one / ‘Cause I could never be the one to hide one.” Fans speculated that the line was a reference to Drake’s secret son with former adult film star Sophie Brussaux. The Weeknd’s frustration was clear—Drake was not only snatching his music but seemingly targeting his ex-girlfriend too.

A Growing Rivalry: Music and Personal Jabs

By 2018, the animosity between Drake and The Weeknd had escalated, and it wasn’t just about business or women anymore—it was about power. The Weeknd released several songs that hinted at his growing resentment towards Drake, like All to Myself featuring Future and Metro Boomin. In this track, Abel sings, “They could never diss my brother’s baby when they got leaks in the operation / I thank God I never signed my life away.”

Here, The Weeknd seems to be taking aim at Drake’s business practices, hinting that he dodged a bullet by not signing with OVO Sound. He also mocks Drake’s affiliates, particularly Baka Not Nice, a former bodyguard who now makes TikToks. The Weeknd’s line about “shooters making TikToks” is seen as a direct jab at how Drake’s crew, despite being portrayed as tough, has become a laughing stock on social media.

But Drake wasn’t about to let the insults slide. In 2019, he responded with a subliminal diss in Family Matters aimed at both The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar. While the song was mostly directed at Kendrick, Drake managed to sneak in a few bars about The Weeknd. He rapped, “I knew it was smoke when Abel hit us with the Sade”—a reference to The Weeknd’s supposed betrayal and how Drake felt about their fractured relationship.

Violence and Feuds: Are the Shootings Connected?

As the feud continued to escalate, the situation took a more sinister turn. In April 2024, shots were fired at the home of The Weeknd’s manager, Cash XO, in Los Angeles. A security guard was injured in the incident, which some fans speculated could be linked to the ongoing tension between Drake and The Weeknd.

Days later, a similar situation unfolded at Drake’s mansion in Toronto. A security guard was injured during a confrontation with a trespasser, and police were investigating whether the incident was related to the rapper’s ongoing feud with The Weeknd. While there’s no solid evidence linking these events to the artists themselves, the timing has raised more than a few eyebrows, with some believing these violent incidents may be a result of the growing animosity between the two stars.

The Bottom Line: Will the Feud Ever End?

The feud between Drake and The Weeknd has evolved from a simple business disagreement to a full-fledged rivalry, fueled by personal jabs, romantic drama, and now even violence. Despite their shared hometown and early collaboration, it seems like these two are now more interested in taking shots at each other than ever before.

Whether this rivalry will ever be resolved is anyone’s guess. As both artists continue to dominate the music scene, it seems unlikely that they will reconcile anytime soon. If anything, their feud has become one of the most high-profile in hip-hop and pop music, with both sides throwing subliminal and direct shots at each other in their songs.

For now, fans can only watch as this Toronto rivalry unfolds—and hope that it doesn’t get any uglier than it already has.