Drake is going all out to complete his much-hyped ICEMAN album – even flying longtime collaborator Gordo to Europe just to finalize it.
Over the weekend, Gordo posted on social media that Drake arranged for a private jet to fly him overseas to put the finishing touches. In a post with a picture of the two of them in a car together, he stated, “This guy got me a jet to Europe just to finish ICEMAN. He scooped me up from the airport.”
Fans had no hesitation in responding. Some were excited, referring to Gordo’s feature as “fire,” while others expressed doubt, worrying about how much of his house input a project Drake has hyped as extremely personal would receive. Either one, though, the hype is genuine. ICEMAN will be Drake’s first solo effort since 2023’s For All The Dogs and might just be his last for Universal Music Group.
The album has already served up two singles: “What Did I Miss?” and the Central Cee-featuring “Which One.” As of yet, only Gordo and Central Cee have been announced as collaborators, but their history together leads us to believe there are likely more tricks up the sleeve. Drake first teased ICEMAN way back in December 2024 while going live on Adin Ross’s stream, promising an intimate and personal tone for the album.
With Gordo’s involvement, however, there is a good possibility some dance and house influences will filter in.
Gordo’s path to this point has been anything but the norm. Prolifically known earlier in his career as DJ Carnage, Diamanté Blackmon rebooted in 2022, swapping out EDM maximalism for a stripped-down house and techno approach that hearkened back to his Latin heritage. The same year, he broke through in hip-hop with his co-productions on six tracks for Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind, including the catchy “Sticky,” which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their artistic collaboration intensified in 2023 on For All The Dogs, with Gordo adding the Latin-infused “Gently” and the SZA and Sexyy Red duet “Rich Baby Daddy.” By 2024, Drake’s contribution to Gordo’s debut album Diamante was undenied – vocals on singles “Sideways” and “Healing” and even executive producing.
The chemistry between both artists has always made it hard to draw lines between rap, house, and pop, with their collaboration projects being exceptional in contemporary music.
Now, ICEMAN may be the result of years of working together, testing each other out, and cross-pollinating. For Drake, it’s a chance to end a chapter with UMG and perhaps transition into a new era of his life. For Gordo, it’s one more opportunity to solidify his rebirth and demonstrate how far his music has evolved since DJ Carnage.
Whether the last album dips into Drake’s personal, reflective vision or Gordo’s driving, after-dark club energy – or both – fans are preparing for something special. And if history is any guide, when these two collaborate, it’s never just music. It’s a moment.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
