The internet is in chaos after Nike’s latest celebration ad for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series win — not for the team’s back-to-back titles, but because of the soundtrack choice.

Instead of using anything tied to Drake, Nike went all-in on Kendrick Lamar’s “Squabble Up” — a move that fans are calling “the coldest corporate betrayal of the year.”

⚾ Nike Drops the Bomb: Kendrick Over Drake

In a sleek, cinematic new ad celebrating the Dodgers’ dominance, Nike featured Kendrick Lamar’s gritty track “Squabble Up” to highlight LA’s resilience, unity, and fire.

The ad instantly blew up online — but not for the reason Nike expected.

Fans were quick to notice that Drake, one of Nike’s biggest and most loyal partners for over a decade, was completely absent.

“Drake literally is Nike,” one fan tweeted. “He’s been shouting ‘checks over stripes’ since 2018. And they go with Kendrick for the Dodgers? That’s wild.”

💥 Drake’s Deep Nike Roots

Drake’s connection to Nike runs deep.

He first teamed up with Nike’s Jordan Brand in 2013, releasing special OVO sneakers that sold out instantly.

In 2020, Nike and Drake launched NOCTA, a sub-label inspired by his nocturnal work habits and late-night lifestyle.

Drake has repeatedly shown public loyalty to Nike — even dissing Adidas in his feud with Kanye West, famously rapping:

“Checks over stripes, that’s what I like.”

So when Nike chose Kendrick’s voice to carry their biggest victory celebration ad of the year — for the LA Dodgers’ World Series win over Drake’s hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays — it hit differently.

🧊 “They Really Did Drake Dirty…”

Social media exploded with memes, hot takes, and pure disbelief.
Many fans saw it as Nike subtly siding with Kendrick Lamar — especially after Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” diss left Drake’s image bruised earlier this year.

“First Kendrick kills him in a song,” one tweet read, “then Nike plays that same energy to celebrate LA? Drake can’t catch a break.”

Another added:

“Imagine being a global Nike ambassador and seeing them use your rival’s track to flex on your city’s loss. That’s cold.”

👀 Corporate Move or Subtle Message?

Some analysts believe Nike’s decision was a calculated marketing play, tapping into LA’s homegrown pride and Kendrick’s cultural dominance.

“Kendrick represents Los Angeles — authenticity, grit, community,” a marketing expert told Complex. “This ad isn’t about Drake. It’s about LA winning again.”

Still, others argue that Nike could have celebrated the victory without stirring the pot.

“Nike knew exactly what they were doing,” one fan posted. “You don’t pick Kendrick’s song over Drake’s — not by accident.”

🔥 The Bigger Question: Did Nike Just Pick a Side?

With Drake still facing backlash from his feud with Kendrick, this latest move feels like a corporate shift in loyalty — a silent but powerful statement.

If Nike, Drake’s biggest brand partner, is willing to spotlight his rival’s song at his expense, it could signal a deeper industry realignment around authenticity, culture, and regional identity.

And for Drake — who’s built a brand on loyalty, dominance, and precision — that’s not just business. That’s personal.

🧩 Final Thought

Nike’s slogan says it all: Just Do It.
And this week, they did — with a bold marketing swing that might just redefine the Drake–Kendrick rivalry at the corporate level.

Whether it was a genius cultural move or an unintentional diss, one thing’s clear:
They didn’t just play a song. They lit a fire. 🔥