8 Fans On What Drake Has Done For Toronto

What has Drake done for Toronto?

I went to L.A. last month, and they are about Toronto like our fans on steroids. I got into [parties] because I was from Toronto! He’s dropping the best type of hip-hop right now, and that means Toronto is the wave. We’ve always been there, but everyone knows now.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

River Tiber and Daniel Caesar.

What has Drake done for Toronto?

Drake has been a big part of putting us on the map. He’s an ambassador for the Raptors and a lot of other things. He's made it so we're like the upcoming New York.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

Mo-G, that would be funny.

What has Drake done for Toronto?

I can honestly say that I do love his music, but in terms of repping the city…I was heartbroken over [NBA] All Star weekend because I feel like he used us as a marketing platform. Why weren’t there blocks of tickets set up for people like me? All these out-of-town people come and turn up in my city? We’re here 365, in the summer and the winter. It’s elitism. When he should have been doing this he wasn’t—so unless I get a car right now I won’t be placated! [Laughs] Does he represent the 6? I’m really not sure. And actually I don’t even call it the 6, I hate the term, and I know the story behind it. No, this is T.O., or T.Dot. 6, I don’t fuck with it.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

Saukrates, that’s a real Toronto cat.

What has Drake done for Toronto?

He’s done pretty good representing Toronto when he goes around the world—not too much on record, but a little slang on record, and that’s cool. We’ll see if it’s the Toronto record that Toronto, and Canada, wants. Super shout outs, and big surprises, and love to people that built the foundation, like Kardi, and Maestro, and Michie Mee. People who paved the way for him to have it so big? I want him to acknowledge that.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

I want to hear Saukrates's beautiful voice singing on a Drake record.

What has Drake done for Toronto?

Rob: We were actually leaving the Blue Jays game and saw the boy tweet this event, and re-routed to support. Ultimately, what I think he’s done as he’s grown is brought in the multicultural aspect to his music. He’s brought in different, different cultures from the West Indies to the African communities and he’s mentioned that—that's what Toronto really stands for.

Aniesha: And he’s shined a light on the city itself. We never had that before. Sports-wise, entertainment-wise, media-wise... he’s done a lot already, so we’re here to support him.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

Rob: dvsn

Aniesha: Majid Jordan

What has Drake done for Toronto?

I don’t feel as though there’s anything distinctly ‘Toronto’ about Drake, but he is super talented and I love that he has never been shy to promote ‘the 6.’ He’s been at the center of redefining Toronto’s sound and is part of the reason we’re making waves on a world stage.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

That kid from Mississauga, John River.

What has Drake done for Toronto?

I think he represents it well, being that he’s born and raised here. So many people know Toronto because of Drake, and I think he’s shared with me—being originally from Halifax—the different neighbourhoods in this city.

What local artist would you love to hear on the new album?

Jazz Cartier