Five Years Since Drake’s Legendary “Laugh Now Cry Later” Video

Five years ago today, Drake dropped one of the most memorable music videos of his career with “Laugh Now Cry Later” featuring Lil Durk — a cinematic, meme-worthy visual shot almost entirely at Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

The video begins with Drake pulling up to the LeBron James Building, setting the stage for a one-on-one basketball showdown with Kevin Durant. From there, the scenes unfold like a Nike-branded daydream — hitting the Nike Company Store for a shopping spree, tossing the football with Odell Beckham Jr., and linking up with Lil Durk for a jet ski ride across the WHQ campus lake.

As night falls, Drake and Durk trade the water for golf carts, zipping around before Marshawn Lynch makes a surprise appearance, checking Drake in true Beast Mode fashion. The action continues with a workout sequence, where the legend Druski interrupts to ask if Drake’s alright — a moment that quickly became an internet favorite.

The video jumps between these scenes, blending high-energy sports cameos, comedy skits, and luxe Nike product placements into a five-minute experience that felt like both a flex and a love letter to sports culture.

Released on Aug. 14, 2020, “Laugh Now Cry Later” wasn’t just a song — it was a essentially a full Nike commercial disguised as a music video, instantly becoming a cultural touchstone for both hip-hop and sneaker fans. Five years on, it remains one of Drake’s most replayed visuals and a highlight in Nike’s long list of celebrity collaborations.

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