Drake shares painful reality about father’s illness

Drake opens up about father’s health struggle in new album 'Iceman' livestream reveal

By Ilsa Fatima May 15, 2026
Drake shares painful reality about father’s illness
Drake shares painful reality about father’s illness

Drake has shared a personal update, revealing that his father, Dennis Graham, is currently battling with cancer.

The detail appears in his May 15, 2026 release Iceman, especially in the opening song Make Them Cry.

During his YouTube livestream series ahead of the album release, the news was first shared, giving fans insight into the emotional side of the project.

In the track, the singer reflects on personal responsibility and family burden, rapping,

“I’m an only child no one could’ve made another / I have to father my mother and treat my son’s grandfather like my older brother / The skies are grey in Toronto, they not a golden color / I’m feeling like BTS ’cause it took the whole career for me to be so discovered”

The song then shifts into a more direct and emotional reference to his father’s illness,

“My dad got cancer right now, we battlin’ stages Trust me when I say there’s plenty things I’d rather be facing (For real) And this time, ask me to dig deeper, I’ll gladly explain it”

As reported by nowtoronto.com, he also addressed it during the livestream, saying, “My dad got cancer right now; we’re battling stages.”

Soon after the album dropped, Dennis Graham shared a photo hugging Drake, which quickly went viral online. 

Meanwhile, fans reacted with supportive messages across social media.

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