Kendrick Lamar gets 2-minute ovation after ‘Not Like Us’ in Drake’s hometown
Kendrick Lamar stepped onto Drake’s turf on Thursday, playing his first concert in Toronto since the rift between the music superstars went into hyperdrive last year.
For the most part, the Los Angeles rapper didn’t fan the flames of his feud, even if some ticketholders hoped he might douse the conflict in gasoline. Instead, Lamar mostly took the high road by focusing on the music.
As the first of two nights at the Rogers Centre neared its close, Lamar pulled out his ace card with a performance of Not Like Us, the chart-topping diss track that knocked Drake down a few pegs in popular culture.
Immediately, phones went up, booties started shaking, and fans shouted along to the contemptuous lyrics that brought Lamar and Drake’s rift to its apparent head.
Once he was finished, Lamar stood centre stage in a spotlight, his face in shadow, and for the next two minutes he took in the roar of the crowd. Many of them screamed, “One more time.”
Lamar didn’t deliver that pleaded encore, but he gave the crowd plenty of other hits to dance to, including Squabble Up and TV Off from his latest album GNX and older favourites Humble and All the Stars, which he performed with his tour mate SZA.
The duo are snaking their way across North America and Europe with their Grand National Tour this summer, but their only Canadian dates are in Toronto at a massive stadium that Drake has never played on tour.
And so Lamar’s moment in the spotlight could be seen as another win in the battle against his rap nemesis.
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Drake and Lamar have been entrenched in a highly publicized rap beef that has culminated in a legal battle between the Canadian rapper and the U.S. record label that represents both men.
Drake is suing Universal Music Group for defamation for publishing and promoting Not Like Us.
In legal documents, Drake says the song’s lyrics wrongly accuse him of being a pedophile, jeopardizing his safety and damaging his reputation. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Before the show, how Lamar might play his cards in Toronto loomed as internet forums and local barbershops buzzed with speculation of special guests and what he might say on stage.
Brendan Wong flew in from Calgary for what he described as a “monumental occasion.”
“I love the music, I love Kendrick, I love SZA, so that’s why I’m here, honestly,” he said outside the venue.
“It’s not like I’m a religious Drake supporter, you know what I’m saying? I like Kendrick more, so I guess I’m on his side.”
Other ticket holders arrived wearing Drake’s OVO gear, branded with its famous owl logo.
Peter Jin’s shirt featured a Canadian flag adorning the wing of the OVO owl. He said he likes the music of both rappers and was hoping for a surprise Drake appearance that might lead to a truce during the show.
“Maybe if they can go to the stage together,” he said. “And challenge each other (in a rap battle), that would be amazing.”
Jin didn’t get his wish, though he said no matter how the night went, he would have fun.
Outside the venue, a noticeably stronger police foot patrol roamed the premises, though the crowd appeared peaceful.
Plans for some Drake fans to congregate in support of Drizzy during the show fizzled when organizers behind an Instagram account promoting the gathering said “logistical constraints” prevented them from moving forward.
Drake was also set to host a livestream Thursday night with American internet personality Kai Cenat, but the streamer later posted those plans were being delayed “a few more days.”
At least one Drake fan at the Rogers Centre came to simply to show his unwavering support, dressed head to toe in OVO memorabilia, including a hat, pants and jacket.
Even though he didn’t have concert tickets, the fan, who called himself Julian, said he arrived from Whitby, Ont., “to show who runs this city.”
“I’ve been a Drake and OVO diehard fan, that’s what I was made for,” he said.
“I’m born October the 6th in the 6 (Toronto’s nickname) … so I’m just here to support through and through.”
Anthony Tran and Krisha Mae came to the Lamar show without much thirst for the drama. They waited several hours in the merchandise line to purchase matching SZA shirts, in support of Lamar’s Grammy-winning tour mate.
But they admitted that the lingering feud between Drake and Lamar was still on their minds.
“Everyone’s talking about it, so we had to get tickets because of the beef,” he said.
Tran said while the hype surrounding the rappers’ bad blood drove them to buy seats, it wasn’t the main reason they showed up.
“I think both of them are really good songwriters, so I don’t really care about the personalities,” he added, before rethinking his answer.
“Honestly, I do like Drake better. I’m sorry. Yeah, but we are from Toronto, so we got to rep Drake.”
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.
The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.
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About 200 jobs will be affected.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.
Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.
The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.
McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.
Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.
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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.
They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.
A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.
Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.
The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.
Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.
The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.
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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.
McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.
Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”
Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.
“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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