What was once considered one of hip-hop’s strongest musical alliances has suddenly found itself back under internet scrutiny after Rick Ross recently cut Drake’s vocals during a live performance of ‘Aston Martin Music’. Over the years, the duo helped shape an entire era of rap collaborations through tracks like ‘Stay Schemin’, ‘Lord Knows’, ‘Money in the Grave’, and the now-iconic ‘Aston Martin Music’. But while their catalogue once symbolised one of rap’s most celebrated partnerships, Ross’ latest onstage move has now reignited fresh conversations surrounding the duo’s long-standing fallout.

During his May 7, 2026, Verzuz battle against French Montana, Ross asked the DJ to play, “minus Drake’s vocals,” before joking that anyone wanting Drake’s part could sing it themselves. The moment instantly reignited buzz around the duo’s fractured bond, especially since the 2010 ‘Teflon Don’ anthem, featuring Chrisette Michele, remains one of their most iconic collaborations, largely driven by Drake’s unforgettable 'I’d’ve came back for you…' hook.

“I wanna do ‘Aston Martin Music,’ minus Drake’s vocals. No Drake vocals. If you wanna sing that, I'ma let you sing that." Ross on stage.

Despite the viral Drake moment dominating headlines, French Montana ultimately edged past Rick Ross with a narrow 10-9 victory in the Verzuz battle. Still, Ross remains one of hip-hop’s most dominant figures, having built a multi-platinum empire through music, business, and his Maybach Music Group label. Over the years, the rapper delivered major chart-topping albums like ‘Port of Miami’, ‘Trilla’, and ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’, several of which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, further cementing his legacy as “The Biggest Boss.”

And while Ross has long ruled hip-hop with his boss-era legacy, Drake continues carrying a fandom powerful enough to turn even a missing verse into viral internet chaos.

Drake’s legacy stretches far beyond one missing hook

Amid the renewed Rick Ross tension, Drake continues charging toward his next major era with ‘ICEMAN’, set to release on May 15, 2026. The rollout has already turned viral through giant ice sculptures in Toronto and weekly ‘Iceman Episodes’ teasing unreleased music and behind-the-scenes footage. Insiders reportedly describe the album as “cold, controlled, and calculated,” shaped heavily by the aftermath of Drake’s explosive 2024 rap feuds.

Despite the internet chaos, Drake’s dominance barely seems touched. Since the Ross fallout, the rapper has released tracks like ‘What Did I Miss?’, ‘Which One’ with Central Cee, and ‘Dog House’ with Yeat, while ‘$ome $*** $ongs 4 U’ with PARTYNEXTDOOR remained a chart force through 2026. Drake also extended his Billboard Hot 100 streak to 18 consecutive years, as ‘Take Care’ officially reached RIAA Diamond status earlier this year.

And while Rick Ross may have cut the vocals, the internet reaction proved one thing instantly, ‘Aston Martin Music’ still feels incomplete without Drake’s hook.

What are your thoughts on Ross cutting Drake’s vocals during ‘Aston Martin Music’ live? Let us know in the comments

Written by

Lisa Roy

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui