Drake released three new albums on Friday, and one of them is already turning heads in the crypto world — though not necessarily for the music. On the record, the rapper calls himself a 'BTC crypto big-timer' and explicitly calls for the release of jailed FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. The albums, which dropped without prior announcement, mark the artist's most prolific single-day output, but critical reception has been overwhelmingly negative.
The crypto bars
On one of the albums, Drake delivers a line that positions himself as a serious Bitcoin holder: describing himself as a 'BTC crypto big-timer.' The phrase appears in a track that leans heavily into wealth and status symbolism. It's not the first time the rapper has referenced digital assets — he's previously dabbled in NFT drops and crypto-related merch — but this is his most direct lyrical embrace of Bitcoin as a personal identity marker.
Call for SBF's freedom
More striking is Drake's explicit call for Sam Bankman-Fried's release. The disgraced FTX founder is currently serving a 25-year sentence after his conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges. By name-dropping SBF in a positive light, Drake wades into a still-sensitive topic for many in the crypto community — some see Bankman-Fried as a symbol of the industry's worst excesses, while others argue his punishment was excessive. The rapper's lyrics offer no nuance, just a straightforward demand: free him.
Critical pan
The albums themselves aren't getting any love from reviewers. Major outlets panned the project, citing bloated tracklists, uninspired production, and what one critic called "the most embarrassing bars of the year." The crypto references aren't helping. Early listener reactions on social media range from confusion to outright mockery. Drake's label hasn't commented on the backlash or on whether the crypto mentions were coordinated with any brand. For now, the albums are streaming everywhere — and the crypto world is left to decide whether this is a badge of honor or a cringe moment.
