Realizing the significance of the moment, Drake lingered next to his DJ, watching the events unfold. Sure enough, the surviving duo of T-Boz and Chilli came out for a three-song mini-set. This happened on more than one occasion: Drake's announcing the arrival of "the legendary TLC" after singing a verse of "I Get Lonely Too" was met with rabid cheers and a whole lot of disbelief. brought out all the stops to ensure more than a few tears were shed (at least for many in my vicinity) and lifetime memories made.ĭespite the volume at the Amp approaching tinnitus-inspiring levels, it says something about how hyped the crowd was when their collective cheers often drowned out the performers.
The next two and a half hours would serve as a veritable who's who of contemporary hip-hop, as Drizzy & Co. A endlessly energetic "Headlines" got the show started, Drake's sheer charisma rendering the crowd rapt as he bounded across the stage. The limitless production values were obvious from the get go, with a stage-encompassing lighting rig looking straight out of Blade Runner for backdrop as the sounds of a booming storm blared over the PA, introducing our emcee for the evening. While at this point four years on, no one need be shocked at the scale of the guests Drake calls in for the event, the way in which he keeps these loaded guest appearances anchored around his own star power is what keeps the surprises fresh. Amidst the mass holiday weekend exodus from the GTA, Drake's yearly OVO Festival descended once more upon its (now seemingly forever) home at the Molson Amphitheatre.