Drake Sends Strong Messages to Ebro After Hot 97 Show Cancellation

In a surprise moment this week, hip-hop radio personality Ebro Darden revealed direct messages (DMs) he says he received from rap superstar Drake on Instagram — and the content shocked many fans online. The messages came after Ebro’s long-running morning radio show on Hot 97 was canceled earlier this month. 

Drake — one of hip-hop’s most successful artists — has not often been connected to public social-media messages like this. But the messages, posted on the first episode of Ebro’s new The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show on YouTube, drew strong reactions. 

What the Messages Said

Ebro shared screenshots during the video, showing what he says were Drake’s replies after news broke that Ebro in the Morning was canceled by Hot 97. One message read:

“Die slower pussy.”
Another followed: “We got some shit for you.” 

Those words surprised many listeners because they sound aggressive — different from the usual brief emoji reactions celebrities use. Earlier, Drake had tweeted or commented only with an axe emoji under a video about the show’s end. 

Instead of responding with anger, Ebro tried to calm the situation in the video:

“Relax. You’re salty about losing to Kendrick. You’re not mad at me… Love bro.” 

He suggested Drake’s reaction might have more to do with music rivalries than with him personally.

How This Started

The controversy began when Hot 97 — a major New York hip-hop radio station — canceled Ebro in the Morning, a show Ebro hosted for many years with co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez. The cancellation was announced on December 12, 2025, leaving fans and industry figures talking about the future of radio, hip-hop media, and personalities like Ebro. 

Ebro posted an explanation about the cancellation, criticizing the station’s owners and saying they had lost touch with hip-hop culture and Black music. That post led to Drake’s initial emoji reply and — according to Ebro — the later DMs.

A Possible Music Context

Ebro and Drake have had a complicated public relationship over the years. As a hip-hop commentator, Ebro has not always praised Drake or his decisions. In earlier years, for example, Ebro criticized Drake’s reaction to other artists and cultural moments in hip-hop, like Drake’s approach to social issues or how media covers the genre.

Because of this history, some fans and observers think Drake’s messages — even if emotional or direct — may be less about Ebro personally and more about broader tensions in the hip-hop world, including rivalries with other artists like Kendrick Lamar and media narratives about influence and success. 

Reactions From Within Hip-Hop

After Ebro shared the messages publicly, fans and commentators reacted strongly on social platforms:

• Some Drake fans were amused or shocked that such words might have come from one of the biggest names in music. 
• Others pointed out that artists and media figures often have private conversations that don’t reflect how they interact publicly. 
• A few commentators said this incident shows how hip-hop feuds and rivalries can spill off the stage and into direct communication between artists and media personalities.

There were debates about whether Drake really wrote the messages and what they mean for his relationship with media and radio hosts. Some fans questioned whether the exchange is typical for Drake, given his status as one of music’s most visible stars.

What Ebro Says Now

Ebro did not back away from sharing the messages. In the new show, he said he wanted to be honest with his audience and show real interactions that happened behind the scenes. He also reminded viewers that Drake had once sent him much more positive DMs around 2020, before their dynamics changed. 

Instead of fueling more conflict, Ebro actually tried to de-escalate the interpretation by suggesting Drake was “salty” about bigger music rivalries — especially ongoing debates in hip-hop about who leads the genre and cultural influence. 

Bigger Picture: Hip-Hop, Media & Power

This moment reveals several trends in music and media today:

1. Direct Artist Communication: Big artists now speak directly to influencers, hosts, and fans via DMs and social platforms — bypassing traditional PR filters.
2. Personal Media Rivalries: Hip-hop commentators like Ebro sometimes influence how fans see major artists, and sometimes those voices are challenged directly by artists themselves.
3. Fan Engagement: Reactions online show that fans care not just about music but about relationships between artists, media figures, and cultural conversations.

Bottom Line

Drake’s revealed messages to Ebro — including a strong phrase and a warning — have sparked attention because they show how private reactions from major stars can surface publicly in dramatic ways. Instead of anger, Ebro responded calmly, suggesting the moment reflects larger hip-hop tensions rather than a simple feud. 

Whether this exchange leads to more conversation between Drake and media figures — or just more internet debate — it adds a new chapter to how artists and media personalities interact in the digital age.