Drake’s Unsettling Obsession with Rihanna: A Closer Look

Drake’s ongoing fixation with Rihanna is raising eyebrows and stirring concerns among fans and onlookers alike.

The rapper’s recent actions, including releasing previously unseen rehearsal footage with Rihanna and being spotted in a T-shirt featuring her face, have led many to question the nature of his behavior. What might have seemed like innocent nostalgia is now being viewed as something much more troubling.

Drake and Rihanna’s relationship has always been complex. The two first crossed paths during the filming of Rihanna’s debut music video, “Pon de Replay,” and since then, Drake has made it clear that he has long harbored feelings for the pop star.

Despite his public displays of affection, Rihanna has consistently maintained that they were just good friends.

One of the most memorable moments in their complicated relationship occurred in 2016, when Drake presented Rihanna with the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

During his speech, Drake confessed that he had been in love with Rihanna since he was 22 years old. However, when he leaned in for a kiss, Rihanna’s reaction made it clear that the feelings weren’t mutual. The awkward moment left Drake visibly flustered, and it seems he hasn’t fully recovered from it.

Drake’s recent actions suggest that he might still be struggling to move on from Rihanna. In early 2022, after Rihanna announced her pregnancy with A$AP Rocky, Drake unfollowed her on social media—a move widely seen as petty and immature.

Shortly after, reports surfaced that Drake had expressed a desire for his son Adonis to have a playdate with Rihanna’s child, further showcasing his lingering feelings.

Drake’s music also reflects his inability to let go. In his song “Virginia Beach” from the album *For All the Dogs*, Drake makes a not-so-subtle reference to Rihanna’s education at Parsons School of Design, implying that he could have treated her better.

In another track, “Another Late Night,” he appears to take aim at A$AP Rocky, making it clear that he’s still not over Rihanna.

In “Fear of Heights,” Drake insists that he’s moved on, rapping, “Why they make it sound like I’m still hung up on you, that can never be,” but as the song progresses, it becomes evident that he’s anything but over it. He even disses Rihanna’s relationship with Rocky, saying, “Better him than me, better it’s not me.”

Drake’s fixation reached new heights during a performance in February 2024, where, while standing on a flying stage, he remarked, “I don’t sing this song no more, you can sing it for me,” as a remix of his 2016 collaboration with Rihanna, “Work,” played in the background. Despite this statement, he still sang parts of the song, leading many to speculate that he was once again trying to get Rihanna’s attention.

The public’s reaction to Drake’s behavior has been mixed, with many fans expressing concern. Some have labeled his actions as “peak loser behavior,” suggesting that he’s struggling to move on from Rihanna, who has clearly moved on with her life.

Rihanna, for her part, has remained largely unbothered by Drake’s antics. The closest she came to addressing his obsession was when she posted—and quickly deleted—a message that read, “None of my exes are married or in happy relationships, so it’s safe to say that I wasn’t the problem.” It was a mic-drop moment, but other than that, Rihanna has given Drake no attention.

Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar has only added fuel to the fire. Even though their beef has little to do with Rihanna, Drake couldn’t resist taking more jabs at her and Rocky.

In one instance, Drake responded to a claim by A$AP that he had slept with Sophie Brussaux, the mother of Drake’s son, with a verse in the song “Family Matters.” Instead of addressing the issue directly, Drake chose to drag Rihanna into the drama, further highlighting his inability to let go.

As fans and observers continue to watch this saga unfold, the question remains: Is Drake’s behavior just harmless nostalgia, or is it something more troubling? Rihanna has clearly moved on, but it seems Drake is struggling to do the same. Perhaps it’s time for the rapper to find a healthier way to cope with his feelings and let go of the past. Until then, fans can only hope that Rihanna continues to rise above the drama, leaving Drake to deal with his unresolved emotions on his own.

What do you think about Drake’s ongoing fixation with Rihanna? Share your thoughts in the comments below.