During Central Cee’s concert in Toronto on Saturday, Drake not only praised the British rapper, but confirmed to the audience: the long-awaited return of his signature hometown event, OVO Fest to return Summer 2025.
“I’ll see you this summer, by the way,” the Toronto rapper told the crowd while applauding British artist Central Cee on his recent rise. “OVO Fest will be back this year,” he added, before gesturing toward Central Cee and declaring, “We’ll need you there for that.”
This marks the first official confirmation that OVO Fest is returning in 2025, after a two-year hiatus. The last edition took place in 2022, featuring a massive reunion with Young Money’s Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, as well as a celebration of Canadian talent with appearances by Kardinal Offishall, Shawn Desman, Nelly Furtado, and more.
Drake’s upcoming OVO Fest will be his first since his high-profile lyrical battle with Kendrick Lamar, which dominated headlines throughout spring 2024, and also follows his ongoing legal dispute with Universal Music Group, making this comeback especially significant in the rap world.
While no official lineup or dates have been announced yet, Central Cee seems to be a likely inclusion. Drake praised the West London rapper moments before the reveal, calling “Day in the Life” his favorite track and boasting, “I can go word for word on that.”
OVO Fest traditionally aligns with Toronto’s vibrant Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) in August, suggesting a similar timeline for this year’s event. Fans can expect a blend of international stars and Canadian favorites, in line with the festival’s history of high-profile performances and surprise guests.
Stay tuned for updates on dates, ticket releases, and lineup announcements in the coming weeks.
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