When Drake was a teenager, he would stand outside Toronto’s long-standing Escape nightclub handing out flyers just to go inside and lose himself in Vybz Kartel’s music. On Sunday night, when he welcomed the dancehall star to Scotiabank Arena for his first Canadian concert, he took the stage full circle recalling that memory.
Kartel, dressed head to toe in Blue Jays gear, headlined one of three sold-out Toronto shows at the venue, becoming the first Jamaican artist to accomplish this feat.
“Look at all these people here, how much time we’ve spent with this guy’s music,” Drake told the ecstatic crowd.
Moments earlier, the Toronto rapper made a surprise appearance from the arena’s lower level balcony, performing several hit songs — including 2016’s “Controlla” and this year’s “Nokia.”
Take a look at some scenes from the concert here:
Vybz Kartel will perform at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganDrake, left, performs with Vybz Kartel at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganVybz Kartel will perform at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganVybz Kartel will perform at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganVybz Kartel will perform at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganDrake performs during a concert by Vybz Kartel at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganVybz Kartel will perform at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganDrake performs during a concert by Vybz Kartel at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganDrake performs during a concert by Vybz Kartel at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy CoganDrake, left, performs with Vybz Kartel at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sammy Cogan