Drake Rents Out Club, Plays “Espresso” While Gambling on Stake

Rapper Drake and pop icon Sabrina Carpenter may be competing on the charts, with their albums recently holding the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Billboard 200, but there’s no sign of rivalry between them.

A viral video on X shows Drake enjoying Carpenter’s hit “Espresso” while using the online gambling site Stake in what appears to be a rented-out club.

Originally shared by an Instagram user, the clip features the caption, “@champagnepapi rented out our club and is playing Stake on a Tuesday. This guy is different, man.” 

In the footage, Drake lounges in a white robe, playing a virtual slot machine on the club’s big screens and even winning a few bets.

Cry for Help or W Marketing Strategy?

Fans remained divided over the clip, with some interpreting it as “a cry for help” given his gambling ventures, a few criticizing him for wasting his wealth, and others supporting his peculiar way of winding down or praising it as a “W” (win) and “brilliant marketing” for Stake, similar to last month’s viral drone stunt in Australia. 

Then, the 38-year-old was seen throwing an orange sandal at a hovering drone in the proximity of his penthouse at Crown Sydney. 

The video started with the GRAMMY award winner’s laptop open to Stake, which made many fans quickly call it a marketing stunt. 

As soon as he noticed the drone, Drake was seen stepping out onto his high-rise balcony on the 60th floor only to toss the iconic sandal at the device.

However, his frustration in the video was apparently fake, as his caption read, “The stakes are high. But so am I,” referencing the casino’s name and hinting at the fact that the video was staged. 

The Kendrick Lamar Dispute

The new rental club/Sabrina Carpenter debate ties into his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar, who has repeatedly called out the “Hotline Bling” rapper’s alleged gambling habits. 

On “Meet the Grahams,” Lamar directly addresses Drake’s mother, rapping, “I’m blamin’ you for all his gamblin’ addictions.” 

The rapper doubles down later in the track, confronting Drake with, “You got gamblin’ problems, drinkin’ problems, pill-poppin’ and spendin’ problems.”

Drake, however, has a public endorsement deal with Stake and regularly shares his bets before major sporting events. 

Meanwhile, Carpenter has her own connection to him, having covered his song “Hold On, We’re Going Home” in a 2020 Elle interview.

Drake also took fans by surprise when he announced that he would postpone the remaining dates of his 2025 Anita Max Win Tour.

Last month, internet personality Bobby Saptura pulled a similar marketing stunt when he rented out a nightclub to allegedly cope with the sadness triggered by a recent breakup. While there, he was seen indulging in several of his brand’s burgers.