The rapper drew criticism in 2018 after Brown, then 14, revealed they'd been texting.
Drake is finally responding to the backlash to his friendship with Millie Bobby Brown.
In "Another Late Night," a song off his new album, For All the Dogs, the Canadian rapper name-drops the Stranger Things star, whom he befriended when she was 14 and new to child stardom. Back in 2018, the revelation of their friendship made headlines, with criticism directed at Drake because of their age gap (he was 31 at the time). While he had no response then, he is now firing back at detractors with something to say.
"Weirdos in my comments talkin' 'bout some Millie Bobby, look / Bring them jokes up to the gang, we get to really flockin'," Drake raps on the track, which features Lil Yachty. "Or send a finger to your mama in some FedEx boxes / Open up that s---, it's jaw-droppin', really shockin', ayy."
News of Drake and Brown's connection came in 2018 when Brown revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood that Drake had become a mentor, offering her advice about fame and boys.
"I love him. I met him in Australia and he's honestly so fantastic — a great friend and a great role model," she said. "We just texted each other the other day. He was like, 'I miss you so much.' I was like, 'I miss you more.'"
She declined to get specific about the advice Drake gave her, saying only, "That stays in the text messages," but she later defended their relationship in a note on her Instagram story, writing, "Why u gotta make a lovely friendship ur headline? U guys are weird…"
She continued, "I'm lucky to have people in the business extend their time to help me further my career and offer their wisdom and guidance. I'm very blessed to have amazing people in my life. U don't get to choose that for me. It's nice to have people who understand what I do. Now get back to talking about real problems in this world other than my friendships… jeez."
"Another Late Night" is one of 23 tracks on Drake's just-released eighth studio album, which features collabs with SZA, Bad Bunny, 21 Savage, J. Cole, and more. During the latest episode of his SiriusXM series, Table for One, which dropped the same day as the album, the rapper revealed that he plans to take a break from the studio.
"I got some other things I need to do for some other people that I made promises to, but I probably won't make music for a little bit," he said. "I'm gonna be real with you."
Alluding to issues he's been having with his stomach but not getting into details about it, Drake explained his desire "to focus on my health first and foremost" and said he would share updates "soon enough."