A Drake look-alike contest in the rapper’s hometown of Toronto got a boost from the artist himself, who unexpectedly contributed $10,000 to the prize pot.
Upon hearing about the themed competition, Drake — who is Billboard’s year-end Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist — hit up organizer Casuals Cakery on Instagram with a direct message that the bakery saved and posted to its grid a few days prior to the contest.
“I’m adding 10 bands to the look alike contest as the main prize,” Drake wrote via direct message to Casuals Cakery, who wrote back (with emojis that appropriately reflected their reaction), “Just give me a min to stop hyperventilating this moment. I can’t believe this is ur account and u know about this omg i love you.”
“I can barely type and a whole shock went through my body. But yes this is true and real & I hope the Drake doppelgängers ready. LETSSSSSSSS GOOOOOOO,” the bakery captioned its post.
The competition — emphasizing creativity, entertainment and honoring Drake’s aesthetic, and called the “Drake Eras Lookalike Contest” — was held at Toronto’s Apt 200 on Saturday (Dec. 14). Before Drake sweetened the deal, the original winner’s loot consisted of a “Certified Toronto Manz Pack” including a bottle of Hennessy, a pack of Backwoods and unidentified “other prizes.”
The host posted a variety of footage on Instagram, including video clips of the Drake contestants/winners in action and plenty of photos from Saturday night.
Drake confirmed his involvement when he shared some of those clips via Instagram Stories. “I love this city,” he commented, with four crying-laughing emojis.
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