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.”
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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“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:
Tomorrow I’ll give out the Key to the City. This is why. @Drakehttps://t.co/dfdIVQW3yk
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 11, 2016
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