TORONTO — Kendrick Lamar stepped onto Drake’s turf on Thursday, performing his first concert in Toronto since the rift between the superstars went into hyperdrive last year.
But if time heals all wounds, many fans in attendance at Rogers Centre seemed more eager to watch the sparks fly.
Brendan Wong flew in from Calgary for what he described as a “monumental occasion,” a chance to see the first of two nights on Lamar’s Grand National Tour with SZA.
“I love the music, I love Kendrick, I love SZA, so that’s why I’m here, honestly,” he said outside the venue.
“It’s not like I’m a religious Drake supporter, you know what I’m saying? I like Kendrick more, so I guess I’m on his side.”
The question of allegiance loomed heavy outside the venue as some ticket holders arrived wearing Drake’s OVO gear branded with its famous owl.
But plans for some Drake fans to congregate outside the venue in support of Drizzy fizzled when organizers behind an Instagram account promoting the gathering said “logistical constraints” prevented them from moving forward.
At least one Drake fan was there simply to show his unwavering support, dressed head to toe in OVO memorabilia, including a hat, pants and jacket.
Even though he didn’t have tickets, the fan, who called himself Julian, said he came in from Whitby, Ont., “to show who runs this city.”
“I’ve been a Drake and OVO diehard fan, that’s what I was made for,” he said.
“I’m born October the 6th (Drake’s birthday) in the 6 (Toronto’s nickname) … so I’m just here, you know, mean to support through and through.”
Anthony Tran and Krisha Mae came to the Lamar show without much thirst for the drama. They waited several hours in the merchandise line to purchase matching SZA shirts, in support of Lamar’s Grammy-winning tour mate.
But they admitted that the lingering feud between Drake and Lamar was still on their minds.
“Everyone’s talking about it, so we had to get tickets because of the beef,” he said.
Tran said while the hype surrounding the rappers’ bad blood drove them to buy seats, it wasn’t the main reason they showed up.
“I think both of them are really good songwriters, so I don’t really care about the personalities,” he added, before rethinking his answer.
“Honestly, I do like Drake better. I’m sorry. Yeah, but we are from Toronto, so we got to rep Drake.”
Lamar kicked off the show with several tracks from his 2024 album “GNX,” including “Squabble Up” and “TV Off,” but he offered little on the Drake beef.
“Toronto, you ready to party?” He asked to a roaring response.
Lamar typically performs his chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us” near the end of the show.
Drake was set to host a livestream Thursday night with American internet personality Kai Cenat, but the streamer later posted those plans were being delayed “a few more days.”
Drake and Lamar have been entrenched in a highly publicized feud that has culminated in a legal battle between the Canadian rapper and the U.S. record label that represents both men.
Drake is suing Universal Music Group for defamation for publishing and promoting “Not Like Us.”
In legal documents, Drake says the song’s lyrics wrongly accuse him of being a pedophile, jeopardizing his safety and damaging his reputation.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
In court filings, Universal calls Drake’s suit a baseless “attack on the commercial and creative success of the rap artist who defeated him.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
David Friend, The Canadian Press
