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Rb Hip Hop

Drake Joins Vybz Kartel Onstage For His First Concert in Canada

The Canadian rapper treated fans to some of his own hits on Sunday night (Oct. 26) during the first of three sold-out shows by the Jamaican icon at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.

Drake and Vybz Kartel

Drake and Vybz Kartel

@champagnepapi/Instagram

Drake is having an illustrious birthday weekend.

The 6 God made an onstage appearance at Vybz Kartel's OVO-presented concert in Toronto on Sunday night (Oct. 26), celebrating the first of the Jamaican star's three sold-out shows at Scotiabank Arena.


Drake gave the dancehall icon his flowers, emphasizing how he, his team and the audience had spent years cherishing Kartel's music, sharing a personal anecdote.

"I used to hand out flyers outside of a club called Escape just to go inside to the club and listen to your chune. So one more time, please as a city, as a family, make some mother— noise. The Worl Boss is deya," Drake said.

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After extending more praises to the singer, Drake offered him a break and treated the audience to some hits of his own, including his own dancehall-inspired tracks like "Controlla" and viral hits such as "Nokia" and "Hotline Bling."

The highly-anticipated concerts mark Kartel's first time performing in the country, extending a prolific run of shows following his release from prison earlier this year. Back in July, he was one of many special guests during Drake's star-studded headlining run at Wireless Festival in London, U.K. The series of Canadian shows is presented by OVO and is part of the rapper's birthday celebrations, per an Instagram story by Drake himself.

Vybz Kartel sported a custom Toronto Blue Jays jersey onstage adorned with his "Worl Boss" moniker, joining numerous other artists in celebrating the Toronto baseball team's recent advancement to the World Series.

Drake himself made an appearance at Game 1, which took place on Oct. 25, the day after his birthday, rocking a replica of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford's Don Bosco Eagles letterman jacket.

Even when celebrating his own birthday, Drake is sure to treat the entire city.

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Warner Music Canada Lays Off at Least 24 People Amidst Global Restructuring
Record Labels

Warner Music Canada Lays Off at Least 24 People Amidst Global Restructuring

The major record label has eliminated positions across the company, including marketing, A&R, catalogue and more. The cuts follow the departure of president Kristen Burke and reportedly came on the same day as the announcement of Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone to co-general managers.

Warner Music Canada has laid off at least 24 people, Billboard Canada has learned. The cuts come amidst global restructuring and layoffs at Warner Music Group.

According to multiple former staffers, the layoffs came on Nov. 18, the same day Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone were announced as new Warner Music Canada co-general managers.

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