Drake received the key to the city of Toronto yesterday (February 12) during the Celebrity All-Star Game as part of the NBA’s 2016 All-Star Game Weekend festivities in the rapper’s hometown.
Mayor John Tory presented Drake with the key prior to the rapper taking the sidelines as head coach of Team Canada for the game.
“This is probably one of the biggest moments of my life if not the biggest moment of my life,” the rapper says in a video posted by CBC News. “I just want to say thank you to a city that is unconditionally supportive.”
Drake’s Team Canada went on to beat Kevin Hart’s Team USA 74-63 in the Celebrity All-Star Game after Drake received the key to Toronto.
By the third quarter, Team Canada had built a lead that forced Hart, a four-time MVP of the game, to suit up in uniform and attempt to help his team rally a comeback. His attempts fell short as Drake got the win in his hometown.
Straight Outta Compton’s O’Shea Jackson Jr. replaced Michael B. Jordan on Team USA’s roster.
Arcade Fire singer Win Butler won the MVP for the game, posting 15 points and 14 rebounds for Drake’s Team Canada.
Drake is slated to announce the lineup for the All-Star Game Sunday (February 14.)
View Instagram posts and a video of Drake receiving the key to Toronto below:
(This article was first published February 12, 2016 and is as follows.)
Drake is to receive the key to the city of Toronto today (February 12), mayor John Tory announced on Twitter yesterday (February 11).
“They key to the city? Well, it’s the highest honor we can give,” Tory says in a video with “Trophies” playing in the background. “So when we give out a key to the city, we want it to be something really special. I believe the key should go to individuals who make people across the city feel good about themselves and about the city. It should make us proud of who we are and what we can achieve. I want these moments to inspire us as a city and to send a real message: Toronto can do great things.”
The 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend starts today in Drake‘s hometown. It is the first All Star game to be hosted outside of the United States. The Toronto rapper is set to receive the key at the All-Star Celebrity Game tonight, according to the Toronto Star. He is to coach Team Canada against Team USA, led by comedian Kevin Hart.
On his latest single, “Summer Sixteen,” Drake raps about the possibility of receiving the honor and giving the key to his mentor, Lil Wayne.
“I might get a key to the city and give it to Wayne / Or give it to one of the young boys to carry the wave,” he says.
Drake has been vocal about his support for the city, which he often calls “The 6.” When speaking about his support of the newly opened Fring’s restaurant in Toronto, the rapper explained what he hopes to contribute to Toronto.
“My goal from day one has always been to build a trusted and proven brand and keep the people happy,” Drake, a global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, says. “Anything I can do to bring more light to the city, I’m all in.”
View Toronto mayor John Tory’s announcement about giving Drake the key to the city below:
For additional Drake coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
where is that hate ???? come on !!!! uk stand up ovoxo
meek mill to receive key to nicki’s mansion
lmao
I hate this fake nigga, but I can’t deny the love he pours into his city. I wish Kanye did that for Chicago. He did a few song, but you can tell his heart was never truly here.
Drizzaveli receives the key to the clean city of Toronto. Kendrick receives the key to shitty ass Compton. Meek gets his house key taken away from by his parole officer. Bow down to Drizzaveli, bitches! #DrakeIsLoveDrakeIsLife
Easy to talk shit from behind a screen lol. In person i would bet it all youre a pussy llol.
shut the hell up with that drizzaveellli bullshit, Tupac would kick the shit outta that bitch made pop princess if he were still alive, you’re disrespecting Tupac, comparing him to fake drake, how old were you on sept, 7, 1996? 5?
Man big ups to Drizzy the greatest rapper right nw yo, u gat to give respect where its due ma niggas,#DrakeIsReal#DrakeIsdope
ain’t no real rapper, he’s a bitch made pop princess. FUCK DRAKE FUCK OVO #DRAKEISFAKEDRAKEISWACK
Kendrick got the keys to the city first, and he didn’t even ask or had to beg for it lmfao. Compton is a legendary city, far from shitty do your research before you speak kid.
Never in my life have I heard someone say I’m going on vacay to Compton.. smh
Compton is a piece of shit
Compton is a legendary city in a rap sense, but in EVERY other sense it’s not a legendary city at all. The world is more than just about rap music. Toronto has a lot going for it, Compton only has rappers.
Never in my life have I heard someone say I’m going on vacay to Toronto..smh
so is yo mamas cum covered lips PUNK!
Yeah Your fake rapper Drake live in Cali. Why is that? I’ll wait…
kevin hart shot like 2/10. shit was embarassing. so many air balls. philly lost. meek somehow lost too.
6 > compton
why cant people just stop with the Drake vs Kendrick nonsense. Both artists have worked together and helped each other in their careers. Kendrick is dope. Drake is dope. Both getting keys to their city is great for hiphop. They have two different unique approaches to hiphop but thats what makes them great. A person can dig Dr. Dre and Tribe Called Quest, cant they?
Kendrick is overrated bruh. He started it with “Control” so it’s gonna keep going on til Drizzaveli finishes him off by winning Best Rap Album over him. Drizzy makes relatable music, Kendrick says pseudo-intellectual bullshit that doesn’t make sense most of the time. The proof is in the pudding, that’s why Drizzy sells more and has more hits than Kendrick. #DrakeIsLoveDrakeIsLife
Listen – I don’t necessarily disagree re: Kendrick “psuedo-intellectual” BS as that is kinda his tendency at times but “Cartoons and Cereal” and “Section 80” are amazing pieces of work. While GKMC and TPAB weren’t albums I listened to often, I can appreciate and respect his talent and artistic ability. The point is you can like Drake and you can like Kendrick at the same time. People are acting like its either one or the other. They are both great artists. My preference is Drake also but Id be foolish to say Kendrick is not dope. He is amazing also. They are both great artists.
Started what? Kendrick didn’t even diss anyone with Control. And you got it backwards, it’s Drake who’s overrated and he is not winning BRA against Kendrick, who has 11 nominations, including ALBUM OF THE YEAR. There’s nothing relatable about Drake’s music unless you have lots of money. And by saying that Kendrick says “pseudo-intellectual bullshit that doesn’t make sense,” you only prove how you are. Kendrick is making music that speaks on issues that affect black Americans, how can you not relate to that unless you’re not black? Remember this; selling a lot of records and having hits doesn’t make you a better artist. If it does, then Justin Bieber is the best artist of all time.
Where are all you niggas saying Drizzaveli was gonna lose the celebrity game? Y’all quiet now, huh? Drake just can not lose. Watch him take that Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for “Back to Back” and reports of suicide are sure to increase. #DrakeIsLoveDrakeIsLife
shut the fuck up wit that queer drixxevielii bullshit, kendricks gonna bury that ghostwriter having, reference track using, verse stealing, beat biting bitch Monday at the grammys, he’s taking all 11, FUCK YOU, FUCK DRAKE, FUCK OVO. #DRAKEISFAKEDRAKEISWACK
Damn, I can’t wait for that new Kanye album.