Toronto Raptor’s global ambassador Drake narrates the Raptors’s #WeTheNorth promo Playoffs commercial. Raptors will host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday for the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Drake Hit With Lawsuit Over ‘Pound Cake’ Intro
From TMZ:
Drake cheated and lied on his latest album — shamelessly stealing a jazz musician’s lyrics and then lying on the album that he got permission — so claims the jazz musician’s people.
The song in question is “Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2.” The song begins with a 35 second monologue from a 1982 song — “Jimmy Smith Rap” — recorded by jazz musician Jimmy Smith.
According to a new lawsuit — obtained by TMZ — Drake never got permission to use the clip. Even worse, represented in the liner notes that the clip was properly licensed.
Jimmy’s dead, but his Estate insists in the lawsuit NO permission was given nor did anyone ask for it.
The Estate is going after Drake, Cash Money Records and a bunch of others … gunning for more than $300K.
TMZ reached out to Drake for comment … so far, no word back.
UPDATE: Jhené Aiko Performs At Coachella; Brings Out Drake & Childish Gambino
UPDATE: During her Coachella performance, Jhené Aiko also debuted a new song, titled ‘Spotless Mind’. We’ve added that clip below.
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Spring is definitely in full effect, isn’t it? This can be seen more than anything on the Coachella stage during Jhené Aiko’s performance; during Day 3, the Californian beauty brought out both of her thirst-quenched collaborators Drake and Childish Gambino to perform ‘From Time’ and ‘Bed Peace’, respectively. Pics above; additional clips below.
Drake Grants A Sick Teenager Her Wish
A 15-year-old named Kennedy Brown (who is battling brain cancer) got the gift of a lifetime when Drake travelled to L.A. to meet her and her family and friends. This was all done through the power of Twitter and the hashtag #DrakeForKen, which eventually caught his attention. You can check out pics from the powerful encounter and well as some video below.
LOL: Drake Asks People On The Street What They Think Of Him (In Disguise)
Leave it to Jimmy Kimmel:
Drake wanted to find out what people really thought about him, so we had him try his hand at a version of Lie Witness News. We disguised him and sent him out to ask pedestrians what they think about Drake. This is fake Drake – in “I Witness News.”
Drake Explains “UConn Shirt” Photo
During Drake’s appearance yesterday on NBA Countdown, Drake explained that the infamous picture was taken before the game and he was actually wearing was a Kentucky Wildcats shirt with James Young’s logo (see below).
Drake To Host 2014 ESPY Awards
Earlier today, Drake announced via his Twitter that he will host this year’s ESPN ESPY Awards…it all goes down on July 16th at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre.
Honored to be this year's @ESPYS host @espn 7.16.2014 #ESPYS #NWTS pic.twitter.com/PFo7wOV0DE
— Drizzy (@Drake) April 9, 2014
Twitter Responds To Drake “Bandwagoning” For UConn Over UK
Vlad reports:
Drake has painted an image of himself as a major Kentucky fan, so after Rip posted the photo to his Instagram account, it was instantly over for Drake as fans took the opportunity to fire off shots at him for switching teams.
To make matters worse, a fan present at the game snapped a photo of Drake looking rather stressed as Kentucky was ultimately defeated by UConn. Many people took to Twitter to create loads of comical memes joking on Drake for switching his alliances, even though the picture of him in the UConn locker room was taken before the game. His song titles, such as “Started From The Bottom,” and “No New Friends” were used in many of the memes, and the word “bangwagon” was thrown at him numerous times as well.
Cam’ron “We Made It” (Video)
Cam’ron releases the visual for his freestyle over Soulja Boy & Drake’s “We Made It” freestyle, which gives us some behind the scenes footage of Mark McNairy’s showcase during Fashion Week.
Drake Congratulates Kentucky Wildcats
After Kentuck’s 74-73 win over Wisconsin Saturday, Drake met the team in the locker room to congratulate them for advancing to the national championship against UConn.
Drake – ‘Days In The East’
I guess Drake is in a giving mood this week…this time around, he releases something for the ladies. Produced by PARTYNEXTDOOR and 40.
Drake “Draft Day”
It’s draft day! Drake releases a new freestyle over a Lauryn Hill sample, inspired by former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Drake may have thrown a few jabs at Jay Z on this joint, but I aint trying to start nothing. LOL.
Drake Brings Out The Weeknd In London (Video)
Drake recently closed out the successful Would You Like A Tour? in Europe, and above shows one of the last performances at the O2 featuring fellow Canadian star The Weekend, who came out for a live rendition of ‘Crew Love’.
50 Cent Speaks On Drake/JAY Z ‘Beef’
This was during his appearance as guest host on a Washington, D.C. radio station (The Russ Parr Morning Show). It was mostly jokes as far as his response, aside from the fact that he only sees this as the beginning (I doubt their respective ladies — Beyoncé and Rihanna — will be jumping into the fray….but it would be hilarious).
PICS: Drake Holds Hands With Rihanna, Opens Pop-Up Shop In London
The pictures above show two different things:
1. Drake and Rihanna were spotted at TRAMP nightclub in full relationship mode, evening holding fans so the fans and media know it’s real;
2. Drake also appeared in West London to promote his new OVO pop-up store at Browns Focus.
That’s about it. Enjoy Drake win in the above gallery.
Drake’s OVO Fest Scores $300,000 In Funding From The Ontario Government
From Global News:
TORONTO — Rap star Drake is getting cash from taxpayers in his native Ontario to stage his two-day OVO FEST in Toronto this summer.
The event, scheduled for Aug. 3 and 4, was awarded a $300,000 grant from the Celebrate Ontario program administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Capacity at OVO FEST — held at the provincially-owned Molson Canadian Amphitheatre — is limited to about 16,000 fans per day.
According to Ticketmaster, two-day passes are priced between $124.80 and $347.50 and individual tickets are available for $66.50.
Provincial funding for OVO FEST is $7,000 more than the 10-day TD Toronto Jazz Festival received and $3,000 more than the 10-day Royal Agricultural Fair was given.
It also puts Drake’s event on par with the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept. 4-14), the Stratford Festival of theatre, Rogers Cup tennis tournament (Aug. 2-10) and JFL42 comedy festival (Sept. 18-27).
The fifth annual OVO FEST will feature performances by Drake, Outkast and special guests.
In previous years, Eminem, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Diddy and Kanye West have made surprise appearances.
According to Forbes, Drake earned more than $30 million in the last two years.
The 27-year-old rapper was born and raised in Toronto. OVO FEST is named for his company, October’s Very Own.
Celebrate Ontario grants are intended to help festivals and events “enhance programs, activities and services that will lead to long-term improvements. This support helps grow tourism in the province by making it easier for festival and event organizers to offer new and improved experiences that will attract more tourists and increase visitor spending.”
While dozens of Celebrate Ontario grants are handed out, only a handful top $300,000. These include the Canadian Tulip Festival, TD Ottawa Jazz Festival and RBC Bluesfest.
ET Canada‘s New Year’s Eve at Niagara Falls received $184,500 this year.
Drake Debuts New Song In Birmingham (Video)
Drake’s Would You Like A Tour? recently made a stop at Birmingham’s NIA Arena, and during the show, he decided to serenade the ladies with a brand spankin’ new R&B tune titled ‘Call On Me’. Just go full Luther and quit rap, already.
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League Reveals Upcoming Songs With Drake, Jeezy & Nas
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League spoke to Best Of Both Offices via phone and revealed upcoming production for Drake, Jeezy & Nas’ next albums, possibly collaborating with Warren G and Dr. Dre, going on tour as a band and dropping their own project.
Drake & Rihanna Are Reportedly Dating Exclusively
TMZ reports:
Rihanna’s locking it down — she and Drake are officially exclusive.
Multiple sources extremely close to the couple tell us, Rihanna and Drake have gone from casually hooking up to seriously dating … they’ve decided to give it a serious shot.
We’re told Rihanna wants to spend as much time with Drake as her schedule will allow — because he treats her better than anyone she’s ever been with. Not a high bar.
As we reported, the pair have been virtually inseparable while Drake’s been touring in Europe — we’re told Rihanna has spent every single night with him since she arrived.
As for Drake, he’s smitten — one source said “he’s in the best mood he’s been in a long time.”
UPDATED: Drake & Rihanna Spotted Leaving Men’s Bathroom (VIDEO/PICS)
UPDATED: Now with video footage below (sort of).
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SOHH reports:
A new photo of Drizzy and RiRi next to a public restroom is making its rounds across the Internet.
The saga continues as Drake and Rihanna were spotted together once again, this time exiting the men’s bathroom. It’s unclear whether the two were in the restroom at the same time but it’s certain that the pair were enjoying yet another meal together. Dining at the Zouk Restaurant in Manchester, Drizzy and Rih were photographed getting cozy prior to their bathroom trip. The two have been spotted on several dates over the past month and even put on a steamy performance at Drake’s “Would You Like A Tour” stop in Paris.
They were also spotted at some Manchester club they rented out, apparently looking real romantic (which isn’t really new anymore).
Drake Covers Rihanna’s ‘Stay’ In Belgium (Video)
This Drake/Rihanna things is moving forward quickly, isn’t it? Above, he performs her hit single during his Belgium tour stop (which Rihanna in attendance, no doubt).
Drake Announces Houston Appreciation Weekend
Today, Drake announced that he is holding an appreciation weekend for his second home, Houston, TX, via his Instagram page. Lineup and dates are coming soon.
PICS: Drake & Rihanna Continue Their Fling In Amsterdam
Rihanna was spotted hanging with Drake again in Amsterdam, both at his concert and on a dinner date. Not really news, but Drake is certainly winning.
YG x Drake “Who Do You Love” (Video)
YG releases the visual for his single with Drake off his debut album My Krazy Life. In the clip, YG finds his girl cheating, followed by some obligatory fun at Drake’s pool party.