While celebrating the Toronto Raptor’s 2019 NBA Finals Victory, rapper Drake confirmed OVO Fest would be returning this year.
OVO Fest was postponed last year for unclear reasons. Drake has hinted that the event would return in 2019, but this was the first confirmation. Drizzy rode with the team on double-decker buses, stopping at Nathan Phillips Square for speeches.
The rapper got on the mic and announced the return of OVO Fest, inviting all Toronto Raptors players.
“I hope all these guys will join me this year ’cause we bringing OVO Fest back so I hope we can go crazy!”
.@drake announces #OVOFest is making a comeback 👀#WeTheNorthDay | @Raptors pic.twitter.com/cJenpbrbWi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 17, 2019
Drake has been an avid Raptors supporter since 2013 and often serves as the city’s hype man. He congratulated the players on their success and told the fans in attendance,
“You deserve this. These moments are few and far between.”
After bellowing that the Toronto Raptors are the NBA 2019 champions of the world, Drake received thunderous applause from the crowd.
Sounds like fun — except for Golden State Warriors fans. But for most basketball fans, Warriors championships are getting a bit boring; it’s nice to spread the winnings around a bit.
Above the overpacked parade, Drake’s oversized plane circled the city during the festivities. Authorities believe there were around two million people present for the celebration.
Speculation about the return of OVO Fest has been circling the industry since May.
In an ongoing mini-beef, Drake offered tickets to Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens’ daughter Mallory. Mallory wore a Pusha T-shirt to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
OVO Fest was an annual event in Toronto from 2010 to 2018, though the concert was mysteriously postponed. The line-up for the next OVO Fest has not been announced yet, though it tends to be pretty strong. Previous performers include The Weeknd, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole.
No date for the 2019 festival has been announced.