Drake’s new album “Iceman” dropped recently, and one track in particular has raised eyebrows in the crypto world. The song “Dust” features a direct mention of Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced former FTX CEO now serving a 25-year prison sentence. In the lyrics, Drake calls SBF “one of his guys” and demands his release: “An FTX penthouse high-riser, yeah / Samuel Bankman, free all my guys up, yeah.”
On one hand, this is a standard hip-hop move. Rappers often shout out incarcerated friends or associates as a form of solidarity. It fits the track’s aggressive tone—a typical victory lap mixed with diss lines. The chorus repeats “Go blow the dust off your plaques,” suggesting Drake sees his rivals as past their prime.
Drake’s crypto confusion
But the lyrics also reveal some confusion about crypto itself. Drake refers to himself as a “$BTC crypto big-timer,” which lumps bitcoin and crypto together in a way that might annoy purists. Bitcoin and the broader crypto space are not the same thing, but the line suggests Drake isn’t overly concerned with precision here.
He also name-drops the Bahamas, where SBF lived in a high-rise penthouse at the Albany resort complex. That’s where FTX allegedly routed billions in customer funds through Alameda Research—about $8 billion in total losses, one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. Drake mentions smoking cigars at Graycliff and living the high life, but it’s unclear if he’s aware of the darker context.
SBF’s pardon campaign
SBF, who is locked up at FCI Lompoc in California, has been actively trying to secure a presidential pardon. He’s been posting flattering comments about Donald Trump on social media—a transparent attempt to win favor. The jury found him guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy in late 2023, and Judge Lewis Kaplan denied his appeals. So the only real way out, short of a successful appeal, would be a pardon.
Drake’s shout-out adds a pop culture layer to SBF’s ongoing saga. But it’s worth noting that Drake has deep ties to the crypto gambling world. He’s paid tens of millions per year by Stake.com, a crypto casino banned in the U.K. and barred from Twitch. That platform dominates his Instagram bio, even above his record label and fashion lines.
Art or endorsement?
The music video for “Dust” shows a childish police car chase, adding no nuance to the message. Some fans might see it as just another rap boast. But others might wonder if Drake truly endorses SBF’s actions, or if he’s just using the name for shock value. Given his history with crypto gambling promotions, maybe it’s just business as usual.
