TORONTO – ENTERTAINMENT – Toronto Mayor John Tory will present Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham with a Key to the City of Toronto. The presentation of the key will take place in front of thousands of fans at Ricoh Coliseum as part of NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto.
This is the first time Mayor Tory has presented a key to the City since taking office in December 2014. The Mayor awards the key to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of our city and have contributed significantly to civic life.
“Drake is Toronto’s biggest champion: in his music, his mentorship of local talent and his presence on the world stage. He makes people feel good about themselves and their city, and he has drawn the eyes of the world to Toronto. He deserves our city’s recognition and our pride and I’m honoured to give him the Key to the City,” said Mayor Tory.
Drake is an international recording artist, record producer and actor. In 2009, he founded OVO Fest, an annual music festival held in August. In 2013, he was named the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors. He is involved in various charitable activities is committed to promoting Toronto’s music industry and contributing to the city’s social harmony and wellbeing, especially as it relates to youth.
In October 2015, Mayor Tory announced that the Key to the City will be presented to Paul Beeston, the longtime former CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays who retired at the conclusion of the team’s inspiring playoff season. The ceremony will take place this spring.
Past recipients of the key include His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Margaret Atwood, Mike Myers, Celine Dion, George Chuvalo and Ed Mirvish. More information is available at https://www.toronto.ca/keycity.