Drake went back to where it all began. The hip-hop superstar returned to Houston to kick off the three-day Houston Appreciation Weekend on Thursday. He was welcomed with opens arms by players and fans as he took the field before the Astros game at Minute Maid Park.
“I just want to first of all, thank you for giving me such a warm reception in the greatest city in the world, Houston, Texas,” he told the crowd. “This is where I birthed my career. This is where I sold out my first show. This is where I met Lil Wayne. This is where it all started for me.”
Backstage, he fielded questions from kids at the Astros Urban Youth Academy, who asked him about his role models (his mom) and inspirations (Wayne, Jamie Foxx, and Aaliyah).
“She was one of the only female artists that made me as a man feel OK listening to it,” he said of the late singer. “You’re not just gonna get in the car and be like, ‘Let me put in this Kelly Rowland CD and just drive around to it.’ Sometimes female artists, their music is specifically geared for women.”
The mayor also declared June 10 as Drake Day and presented him with a proclamation for “dedicating his time to Houston through his passion and enthusiasm for music and our city.”
Houston Appreciation Weekend continues. Drizzy will perform at Warehouse Live tonight and host an after-party with Lil Wayne. The festivities also include a pool party on Saturday and Think Like a Man Too movie premiere, concluding with a basketball tournament on Sunday.
