Drake, The Weeknd.Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage; GP Images/Getty Images
Drakeis reminiscing on his introduction toThe Weeknd.
In a series of videos posted to hisInstagram Storyon Friday, Drake recalled the first time he ever listened to The Weeknd’s music — one day before the “Blinding Lights” superstar launches hisAfter Hours til Dawn Tourat the Rogers Centre in both artists' native Toronto, Canada.
“Okay, look. This right here, this little driveway area right here was the first place that I ever heard The Weeknd’s music,” the 35-year-old “Started from the Bottom” rapper said in a selfie-style video.
“Shoutout to Oliver [El-Khatib], of course, my brother. Oliver played me The Weekend right here,” recalled Drake. “This is my old building in Toronto. We were parked out here. It was raining.”
Drake.Drake/TikTok
He then praised The Weeknd, 32, for booking such a large venue in their shared hometown. “That same guy is selling out the SkyDome tomorrow,” said Drake, referring to the Rogers Centre’s previous name. “That man is selling out the SkyDome tomorrow.”
The Weeknd has since had to postpone his show due to a nationwide outage of Rogers Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in Canada.
At the end of the clip, the “Toosie Slide” performer seemed to urge fans to follow The Weeknd’s example and spend time on their craft, as success can come at any point.
“I just want anybody that’s trying to do this s— to understand I heard this man’s music right here for the first time, pouring rain. It’s a great life,” concluded Drake.
The Weeknd and Drake.Joseph Okpako/Redferns/Getty
The Weeknd first earned widespread recognition after two of his early songs were posted toDrake’s OVO blog in 2010. They later collaborated on five tracks — “Shot for Me,” “Crew Love,” “Cameras / Good Ones Go Interlude,” “Practice” and “The Ride” — from Drake’s 2011 albumTake Care.
Drake then featured on “The Zone” from The Weeknd’s 2011Thursdaymixtape as well as “Live For” from his follow-upKiss Landmixtape in 2013. The same year, The Weeknd joined Drake for a leg of his Would You Like a Tour? in Europe.
In 2015, The Weeknd spoke toRolling Stoneabout the positive impact Drake had on his early career. “I will always be thankful — if it wasn’t for the light he shined on me, who knows where I’d be. And everything happens for a reason,” he told the outlet at the time. “You never know what I would say if this success wasn’t in front of me now.”
After appearing onstage together several more times, rumors of a rift between the two performers arose when the “Hotline Bling” musician was rumored to be dating The Weeknd’s ex-girlfriendBella Hadid, though shedenied the rumors.
source: people.com
