What to know
- Drake turned Toronto’s waterfront into a spectacle on May 15 with a city-permitted fireworks show ahead of his midnight album release of Iceman, drawing thousands of fans downtown near the CN Tower.
- After weeks of cryptic teasers, and ice block clues, Drake surprised listeners by dropping three albums at once: Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour, instead of the expected single album release.
- The triple release delivered 43 new songs featuring references fans linked to Kendrick Lamar and LeBron James, alongside collaborations with Future and 21 Savage.
- Fans flooded social media throughout the long weekend praising the surprise drop and new music videos like “Dust,” with many calling the moment another example of why they believe Drake is the GOAT.
It was a moment not only in Toronto history, but pop-culture history as well, when Drake dropped not just Iceman, but also two additional albums, lightning up his home-city while doing so.
On May 15, at around 10:45 p.m. a mysterious firework display at Toronto’s harbourfront attracted thousands of people to the downtown area, with many speculating the production to be promotion ahead of the rapper’s midnight album drop.
This all came following a month of album teasing by the GOAT himself.
After the chaos that was finding the release date in a pile of ice blocks in a parking lot next to the Bond Place Hotel, the rapper wasn’t finished yet.
After getting permitted by the city, fireworks lit up Toronto’s waterfront on release day, two hours before the drop.
In a high-rise nearby, Drake was also in the city, watching the show from a distance.
While waiting for the supposed one-album Iceman release, fans gathered around the CN Tower before 12 a.m., not knowing what to expect.
While waiting for the impromptu listening parties and other possible activations, fans were getting hyped up, sharing their favourite Drake songs with NOW Toronto and singing along together.
Three-album surprise drop
When not one, but three albums dropped, titled Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour, fans went into a frenzy.
What was supposed to just be one album, titled Iceman, turned into 43 new songs for fans to enjoy.
Many songs referenced different artists, with fans speculating lyrics about Kendrick Lamar and LeBron James. Artists like Future and 21 Savage also featured on some tracks.
Along with the drop came drops of multiple music videos, including “Dust,” which featured Drake’s son Adonis behind the wheel of a police vehicle.
Fan reaction
The hype of the releases continued on to the long weekend, with many fans sharing images and lyrics of songs online.
“The only problem with this song is that it’s not long enough 🔥🔥,” one YouTube user wrote under the “Dust” music video.
“3 albums spelling out ‘HIM’ is cold 🥶 🧊🐐,” another YouTube user wrote.
Fans on TikTok were also hyped about the release.
“IS IT A DRAKE SUMMER?” one TikTok user asked.
“I’m convinced Drake is the 🐐,” another TikTok user wrote.
With more music videos releasing on Drake’s YouTube channel day-by-day, it’s clear the fans have more in store for them, with the hype possibly not dying down anytime soon.
