‘He put Toronto on the map,’ Locals react to Drake’s Iceman trilogy and even colder rollout

Only Drake could surprise fans with a full trilogy of albums. As the city woke up, Torontonians were hyped about this historic moment that keeps the city on the map, and its icy, over-the-top rollout.

From an explosion at Downsview Park to a giant ice block in downtown Toronto to last night’s ice projections on the CN Tower and fireworks along the waterfront, Drake doesn’t shy from doing it big.

After months of hype surrounding his Iceman album, the Toronto-born rapper came out with a “Shabang,” revealing not one but three albums.

Now Toronto went to the streets and heard from Drake fans who have been reeling since the midnight release.

Torontonians react to trilogy

Toronto resident, Sophia B., was quite happy with the surprise trilogy. As a Drake fan, she says she loved every moment of Drizzy’s rollout.

“I also really liked the McDonald’s Iceman Sprite… I think it was really cool, how he got the whole CN Tower to [be projecting] ice is like crazy,” she told Now Toronto.

Since the release, Sophia has already started listening to Iceman but says she’s only gotten halfway so far.

Her friend, Torontonian Lola N., agrees that this rollout was quite the historical moment.

“We all expected one and got two more, it’s like, what else could we ask for?” she said.

“It’s really getting the word out there for Toronto. I think he’s really helping tourism and people just being aware of Toronto content,” Lola told Now Toronto.

Lola says she could hear last night’s fireworks near her house and was happy to celebrate with the crowd from the comfort of her home.

Toronto resident, Arthur H., found Drake’s trilogy to be “absolutely radical and spontaneous.”

But the hype isn’t new — Drake’s rollout has kept him on his toes for the release.

“I think that has forever changed the marketing scene and ramp,” Arthur told Now Toronto. “I mean, who else puts a bunch of ice blocks out there?” he added.

Despite being a die-hard fan, he admitted he may have gotten too excited for the release and might have overindulged on one too many celebratory drinks last night—so much so that he actually forgot to actually listen to the new music. So tonight, he says he’s hosting a listening party with his friends.

Jo M. just moved to Toronto and is also hosting a listening party with friends tonight.

“I’ve always been a Drake fan, and I just moved to Toronto, so standing on my balcony and seeing the CN Tower being lit up and blue was such a beautiful and iconic experience,” Jo said.

Jo’s even spotted Drake on the ice truck last week and has been hyped ever since.

If you’re from the 6ix, should you love Drake?

Sophia B. believes that he should definitely be appreciated at the bare minimum.

“If Drake’s music isn’t [your] vibe, then obviously [you] don’t have to listen to him. But I think you should have respect for him because he kind of did put Toronto on the map,” she told Now Toronto.

Lola N. agreed, adding that his stunts help with tourism.

Jo M., a new Toronto resident, believes Drake has brought a lot of music culture to the city. “I think it’s beautiful,” Jo added.

Arthur H. added that everyone from Toronto should support Drake.

“It doesn’t make sense for you not to. He put Toronto on the map, he’s arguably one of the greatest men to ever come out of this city,” he said.