Canadian rapper Drake is renowned for turning his live shows into “The Ellen DeGeneres Show-style” giveaways, with fans worldwide gifted large sums of money to pay for holidays, medical bills, debts, and more.
Now, it’s Australia’s turn.
To the delight of Aussie fans, several people have walked away from Drake’s current tour with the promise of tens of thousands of dollars each — thanks to homemade signs pleading for financial assistance.
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The 38-year-old Hotline Bling artist has been filmed scanning the crowd for fans holding signs during a four-date stint at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, which wrapped up on Thursday night.
One woman’s sign revealed she was 20 weeks pregnant.
In a video clip posted to social media, Drake can be seen ordering his security detail to upgrade the woman — later identified as Tiana Henderson — to the VIP section and give her “like $30,000”.
Drake told his security team to: “Get that baby out of the pit ASAP.”
Henderson was then escorted out of general admission on Wednesday night.
In another clip posted to social media, the rapper is seen reading out a sign from a fan asking for help to “quit Macca’s”.
In a questionable Australian accent Drake said: “I’m keen on that mate, I’m keen to help you quit Macca’s. I’m gonna give you 30 bands ($30,000) tonight … easy as mate, easy as.”
At the same Sydney concert, Drake also spotted a sign which read: “Drizzy help me take my mum on a holiday.”
The singer told the fan: “On behalf of us, pick where you want to go, we’ll send you wherever you want to go in the world, alright?
“You gotta love your mum, that’s too important.”
At a Melbourne concert earlier this month, Drake was filmed promising $25,000 to a fan after noticing his sign referencing the singer’s son, Adonis.
“You’re showing a lot of love to my son,” Drake told the fan.
“On behalf of me and Adonis … we’re going to give you 25 grand for your family.”
He also surprised another concertgoer, who was, celebrating her birthday with $20,000.
And, while in Perth, the rapper continued his trend of giving back by promising $20,000 each to two fans — one of whom was waving a Canadian flag.
In a post to Instagram, Henderson later mentioned she has not been paid “yet”.
“No, I have not received the money yet — not even sure if I will,” she wrote.
“But will hands-down be the best experience EVER.
“Best believe our daughter’s name will have some resemblance to Drake.”
But at least one person has attested that Drake does follow through with his cash promises, commenting on TikTok: ”When my friend won the girls’ vacation his team pulled her to the side, got her details, texted her and then they transfer the money.”
Critics and fans on social media are divided on the appropriateness of fans using Drake concerts to make financial requests — or if Drake should be encouraging the behaviour.
“I hate to be ‘the friend that’s too woke’ but we should never be at a point in society where people are going to a concert to beg an artist for money after spending hundreds of $$$ on a ticket,” one person wrote on X.
“Concerts are supposed to be an escapism from everyday life bro, enjoy yourself.”
Another person on X called a photo of multiple signs from Aussie fans “dystopian”.
Away from the stage and his generous giveaways, Drake is suing Universal Music Group over its release of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track Not Like Us which he alleges falsely portrays him as a paedophile.
Despite the pending suit, the song was still featured in Lamar’s 13-minute performance at the US Super Bowl halftime show last week.
Drake will round out his Anita Max Win Tour of Australia across four more dates in Brisbane and Sydney.
Drake’s remaining Anita Max Win Australian Tour dates
Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena:
Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre:
- Monday, February 24
- Tuesday, February 25
- Tuesday, March 4
