Drake Announces The Return of the OVO Festival

Drake is bringing OVO Fest back to Toronto this summer. The Toronto rapper announced the return on Saturday night (May) when he appeared surprised at Central Cee’s concert. Midway through the night, Drake stepped into the spotlight with a casual yet momentous tease from his perch on the VIP balcony. “I’ll see you this summer, by the way. OVO Fest will be back this year.”

Thus, the crowd erupted, but Drake wasn’t finished. Gesturing toward the rising UK rap star onstage, he added with a grin, “We’ll need you there for that.”

It was a major Drake moment—spontaneous, high-profile, and filled with sincerity and spectacle. He praised Central Cee’s breakout track “Day in the Life” as one of his favorites. Thus, the rap legend boasted that he could rap it “word for word.” The co-sign and the invitation suggest the London emcee could be one of the marquee names on this year’s OVO Fest lineup.

The return of OVO Fest marks a highly anticipated homecoming for Drake. Notably, he hasn’t hosted his signature event since 2022. That year’s edition delivered a nostalgic, arena-worthy celebration of his roots. The event featured a Young Money reunion with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Alongside them were Canadian icons Kardinal Offishall, Nelly Furtado, and Shawn Desman.

Drake and OVO Festival

This summer’s comeback will arrive against a backdrop of heightened attention on Drake. It follows his recent lyrical feud with Kendrick Lamar and a still-developing legal battle with Universal Music Group. The 2025 OVO Fest could be the most scrutinized—and potentially explosive—edition yet.

Meanwhile, no dates or performers have been officially confirmed; History suggests an August timeframe. Thus, it will align once again with Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana), a cultural cornerstone Drake has often nodded to during past festival weekends.

The announcement came just weeks after Drake dropped his latest single, “Nokia,” from $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, his collaborative project with longtime OVO collaborator PartyNextDoor.

The album was first unveiled in—what else—a surprise performance last summer at Budweiser Stage.

If History is any guide, the 2025 edition of OVO Fest promises to be another unpredictable, star-studded celebration curated by one of hip-hop’s most calculated showmen. Whether it’s surprise reunions, stealth debuts, or transatlantic collaborations, one thing is certain: when Drake says, “I’ll see you this summer,” Toronto listens.