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Nicki Minaj Brings Out Drake During Toronto Concert for Live Debut of ‘Needle’: Watch

"Make some noise for the king of Toronto," the "Super Freaky Girl" rapper said to her crowd.

Nicki Minaj and Drake attend the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on May 21, 2017, in Las Vegas.

Nicki Minaj and Drake attend the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on May 21, 2017, in Las Vegas.

John Shearer/BBMA2017/Getty Images for dcp

Drake and Nicki Minaj have reunited to give Young Money fans a heavy dose of nostalgia. Minaj returned north of the border for another Pink Friday 2 World Tour stop in Toronto on Tuesday night (April 30), and the 6 God surprised his hometown crowd with a guest appearance.

Drizzy popped out for the Young Money duo’s live debut of “Needle.” The island-tinged record landed on Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 album in December, but the two were yet to hit the stage together for a performance of the track.


Draped in baggy pants and a matching camo jacket, Drake and Nicki electrified the Scotiabank Arena crowd with their seamless energy for their first performance together in years.

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At one point, Drizzy gave Minaj a kiss on the cheek. “Make some noise for the king of Toronto,” Nicki told the audience as she walked backstage. “Make some noise for this icon, this legend.”

With Nicki undergoing a wardrobe change, the 6 God kept the party buzzing while performing “Rich Baby Daddy.” He then left the crowd with a message that could possibly be tied to his scintillating feud with Kendrick Lamar.

“I love you. You know what time it is — you know what I have to do,” he cryptically stated.

“Needle” served as a Pink Friday 2 standout and peaked at No. 34 in its debut on the Billboard Hot 100; the track remained on the chart for four weeks.

The trek doesn’t stop for Nicki, who is returning to her hometown on Wednesday (May 1) for a Barclays Center show in Brooklyn. She’ll then have a week off before heading back out for three dates in Texas.

Watch clips of Drake’s performance with Nicki Minaj below.

This article first appeared on Billboard U.S.

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​Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke speaking on State of the Industry panel at Departure at Toronto's Hotel X on May 8, 2025.
Mike Highfield

Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke speaking on State of the Industry panel at Departure at Toronto's Hotel X on May 8, 2025.

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At Departure Conference on May 8, major figures from Live Nation, MLSE and Oak View Group gathered to talk about the state of the industry.

Departure arrived last week for its inaugural edition since rebranding from Canadian Music Week. After settling its legal dispute with former owner Neill Dixon shortly before the week began, the conference set up shop in its new home at Toronto's Hotel X from May 6-9, 2025.

Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group (one of Departure's new owners, alongside Loft Entertainment), flew in for a special panel on live entertainment on Thursday, May 8. He joined Tom Pistore, president of Oak View Group's Canada operation; Keith Pelley, president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE); and Wayne Zronick, president of business operations at Live Nation Canada. The discussion was sponsored by Scotiabank Arena and Coca-Cola Coliseum and hosted by Live Nation's Joey Scolari.

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