Ice Cube has expressed his gratitude for J. Cole’s shout-out to his BIG3 basketball league in a guest verse on Drake’s latest album, “For All The Dogs.” After the album’s release, the 54-year-old rapper took to social media to thank J. Cole for his homage in the song “First Person Shooter.”

In a post on the platform, Ice Cube wrote, “Shoutout to @JColeNC for mentioning @thebig3 on his new song with @Drake called ‘First Person Shooter.’ Thanks for the love.”

The track “First Person Shooter” quickly garnered praise and attention, becoming one of the standout songs on the album. Many fans, critics, and fellow artists commended J. Cole’s exceptional performance in the song.

In this collaboration produced by Coleman, Vinylz, Tay Keith, Boi-1da, FNZ, and OZ, J. Cole takes the lead in the intro, while Drake handles the opening verse. J. Cole returns for the song’s second verse and, at one point, labels the trio of Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and himself as the “BIG3” of rap, while referencing Ice Cube’s innovative 3-on-3 basketball venture.

“Still in this bi**h gettin’ bigger, they waitin’ on the kid to come drop like a father to be/ Love when they argue the hardest MC/ Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?/ We the big three like we started a league, but right now, I feel like Muhammad Ali,” raps J. Cole during the middle part of the verse.

Founded in 2016, the BIG 3 has steadily gained popularity throughout its first six seasons, with viewership reaching new heights during the 2023 season.

You can listen to the song “First Person Shooter” by Drake, featuring J. Cole, below.