Hip Hop/ Rap
Drake’s Viral Drone Video: A Stake Marketing Stunt or Privacy Breach?
Drake has once again taken the internet by storm. A bizarre video of the rapper hurling a bright orange slipper at a drone inside his Sydney penthouse has gone viral, leaving people divided over whether it’s a shocking invasion of privacy or a cleverly staged publicity stunt for Stake. The footage, which first appeared on social media, begins with a shot of a laptop and a glass of wine on a luxury terrace. Moments later, Drake appears, visibly startled by the hovering drone. In a desperate (and relatively ineffective) attempt to shoo it away, he grabs a nearby slipper and tosses it toward the camera—only for the drone to swiftly escape.
While some fans were initially concerned about the implications of someone flying a high-quality drone directly into a celebrity’s private residence, others quickly pointed out a crucial detail: the laptop screen in the clip displays the logo of Stake, an online gambling site with which Drake has a well-documented partnership.
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A Viral Ad Disguised as a Privacy Breach?
There is speculation that the video was not an actual intrusion but a staged marketing stunt. One user on X (formerly Twitter) noted, “Drake, who is partnered with Stake, is seen gambling on Stake, with the laptop conveniently facing the drone. This is an ad; come on, people.”
Community Notes gets removed after FearBuck denies any affiliation with Stake, suggesting that the video of Drake is in fact real and says that there is no Stake logo in the video either. https://t.co/PV8pwAxAO4 pic.twitter.com/0YKyq41XCX
— DrakeDebate (@DrakeDebate) February 19, 2025
Further fueling the theory is the presence of an unidentified man’s reflection in the penthouse’s glass windows, seemingly operating the drone. “You can actually see the drone operator in the video,” one viewer commented.
Drake’s Relationship with Stake
Drake’s partnership with Stake dates back to 2022 when Forbes confirmed his association with the online gambling platform. Since then, he has frequently posted his high-stakes bets on social media, including a recent $1.15 million wager on the Super Bowl. Given this history, the idea that the drone incident was a cleverly orchestrated advertisement isn’t far-fetched.
Stake, an Australian-Curaçaoan online casino, has been known for its unconventional marketing tactics, often leveraging celebrity endorsements to generate buzz. If this was indeed a paid campaign, it would be a textbook example of how brands use viral content to blend entertainment with advertising.
Publicity Stunt or Serious Concern?
While many social media users dismissed the video as an obvious PR move, others questioned whether it was appropriate to trivialize the issue of celebrity privacy. “If this was real, it would be a massive security risk,” one fan wrote. “Even if it’s fake, it’s setting a weird precedent.”
Drake himself has yet to confirm or deny the speculation, and neither Stake nor his representatives have responded to requests for comment. However, whether intentional or not, the video has already served its purpose—it got people talking. At the end of the day, whether Drake was genuinely startled by an intrusive drone or simply playing along with a staged stunt, one thing is certain: he knows exactly how to keep his name in the headlines.
