The Best Moments From Drake's Young Money Reunion Show

Marking the first time Drake, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj performed together in over seven years, the evening was all about never forgetting where you came from.

Drake and Nicki Minaj at OVO Fest in Toronto
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Image via ofthesaint

Drake and Nicki Minaj at OVO Fest in Toronto

The Young Money Reunion concert may have gotten off to a slow start—two hours late to be exact—thanks to Lil Wayne being held up at the border, but nonetheless, fans were ecstatic to see the Big Three trio of Weezy, Drake, and Nicki Minaj together again at Toronto’s Budweiser stage on Saturday night. The evening was truly about giving Lil Wayne his flowers, and Drake and Nicki Minaj made sure that the Young Money founder felt their appreciation for giving them their careers.

After previously postponing the Young Money Reunion show that was scheduled for August 1 due to testing positive for COVID-19, Drake appeared to be in good health and even better spirits. Drizzy showed no signs of slowing down and gave a high-energy and triumphant performance alongside his Young Money family. But before he stood side-by-side with Nicki and Lil Wayne, he first gave the audience a taste of some of his newer songs including “Sticky” and “Jimmy Cooks.”

Throughout the concert, the artists were accompanied by special guests including OVO rapper Smiley, who joined Drake for their track “Over The Top,” and dancehall artist Skillibeng, who performed with Nicki. Cash Money’s Birdman and Mannie Fresh also had people grooving along to “Get Your Roll On,” amping up the evening’s nostalgic vibes.

Champagne Papi, Tunechi, and Barbie reunited for a night that Torontonians will never forget, playing the hits that put the three stars on the map. For the first time in seven years, the three rappers took to the stage to perform a wide array of their hits, from “BedRock” to “Every Girl” and “The Motto,” during the show that officially closed out Drake’s three-day October World Weekend. Here were the most iconic moments from the concert.

Lil Wayne set the stage on fire

Lil Wayne performs at OVO Fest in Toronto

The words ​​“Unfortunately, Lil Wayne had issues at the border. Luckily, Drake runs the border,” appeared on the stage screen, serving as the explanation to fans as to why the show was delayed, but Weezy still brought the heat to the stage (quite literally, with some pyrotechnics) as soon as he arrived, kicking things off with some words of wisdom: “Now before I get started I must let you know three important things about the self: number one is that we all ain’t shit without each other. Number two is, I know that I ain’t shit without you. Ladies and gentlemen, number three is a very important one, if you don’t remember shit about tonight, please remember number three—number three is I ain’t shit without you.”

He soared across the stage as he rapped “Uproar” but quickly followed the track with his hits. Dripping in sweat and flashing his teeth, his energy could be felt as he put on a show that affirmed why he’s considered one of the greatest rappers ever.

 

Nicki Minaj performed “Super Freaky Girl” for the first time live

Nicki Minaj performs at OVO Fest in Toronto

Nicki Minaj owned the stage in her bright pink hair and electric green outfit, giving Barbiecore excellence. She confidently took the spotlight, whipping her hair around as she performed her hits including “Chun-Li,” “Beez in the Trap,” “Starships,” and more. “Did I lie? Who knows,” she joked before kicking off “Only,” sending the Barbz into a frenzy.

Nicki Minaj and Skillibeng at October World Weekend

She brought out surprise guest Skillibeng for “Crocodile Teeth” and then the crowd went wild when she performed her new song “Super Freaky Girl,” marking the first live performance of the track. Her dramatic facial expressions veered between playful and frightening, but overall Minaj was enjoying herself and the audience ate it up.

Drake poked fun at the reaction to 'Honestly, Nevermind'

Drake performs at Young Money Reunion concert

If there’s one thing Drake’s going to do, it’s bring the sass—and a touch of the dramatics. Drizzy made his way through the crowd to the stage to start his set and swiftly started things off with “Jimmy Cooks” and “What’s Next.” He then brought out Smiley for “Over The Top” and after, said: “It’s been a long time since we been here and been able to do this together. First and foremost, I just wanna say tonight I got to stand in the crowd and watch two of the greatest musicians of all fucking time,” he said. “I’m so grateful to be a part of that team.”

Drake and Smiley at OVO Fest

At one point, he cracked a joke about fans’ reception of Honestly, Nevermind. “The album’s called Honestly, Nevermind, and it’s one of the greatest things I ever did—I like to challenge myself, you know? But I had a lot of people like hitting me up like, ‘You know, that shit’s too fast, I don’t know… you makin’ like Zara music,” he said, pausing so the crowd could laugh at the reference to the social media posts saying the album sounded like it was made to be played in the fast fashion retailer.

“And I said, ‘Would you like me to slow it down? Do you want the old Drake? That’s all you gotta say.’” He then gave a slowed-down Take Care-era sounding performance of “Laugh Now Cry Later.”

Drake showed love to Lil Wayne and said he’s his son

Drake at OVO Fest Toronto

All three performers vibed together, played off of each other, and gave the audience a show, especially during hits like “BedRock,” which the crowd went wild for.

Given that it was Drake’s big night in the 6ix, it was expected that he would steal the show, however, he went out of his way to thank Lil Wayne for his and Nicki’s careers, and expressed his gratitude by calling him the greatest rapper of all time, which Nicki wholeheartedly agreed with. Drizzy showered him with praise, recalling a time when they were on tour together: “You gave me $30, 000 that I was able to bring home to my mother, and that changed the next. like, six months for us. Never forget. That’s the most important amount of money I’ve made in my life to date,” he said as Lil Wayne smiled.

“You’re the most important man to each and every one of us. You are truly the most selfless man on planet earth, to find all these people from across the motherfucking world, bring us all together, give us all a shot—this is me by the way, I’m your son, look at this shit,” he added. “You did this. You did this shit.”

“I would go to the ends of the earth for this man,” he said, getting sentimental. “You changed my fucking life and you changed the city forever, so make some fucking noise for the greatest rapper of all time.”

Drake and Nicki Minaj at Young Money Reunion

Drizzy also made sure to shout out Nicki, calling her the other GOAT: “And I’m standing onstage with the other greatest rapper of all time, she’s over there with the pink hair. By the way, like, are these bitches serious? Like, nobody can fuck with Nicki… [She’s] like the originator—it starts here, ends here, all that shit.”

 

Lil Wayne announced ‘Tha Carter VI’

Lil Wayne at OVO Fest in Toronto

After being showered in love, Lil Wayne made a surprise announcement to close out the show, revealing his forthcoming album, Tha Carter VI. “I’m working on Carter VI, coming soon,” he said.

Fans cheered as the concert came to an end, and the entire stage radiated positive, heartfelt energy. The love between the performers could truly be felt by all, but especially by those in the crowd who grew up alongside Drake and Nicki as their careers took off. Having watched them grow into the megastars they are today, for them, the Young Money Reunion was more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it was a reminder of the power of lifting others as you rise, and never forgetting where you came from.

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