Nelly Furtado Reveals Why She Rejected Drake’s Offer to Perform With Him in Toronto

In a candid conversation on the Call Her Daddy podcast last month, Nelly Furtado shared the reason why she turned down Drake’s invitation to join him on stage during one of his Toronto performances. Despite being a fan of the Toronto-born rapper, Furtado explained that the timing of his request was simply too last minute.

The Last-Minute Invitation

Drake reached out to Nelly at 11 p.m., asking her to perform with him on stage at 1 a.m. Furtado explained that the spontaneous nature of the invite made it difficult for her to agree, especially because she would need time to prepare and look her best for such a high-profile performance.

Furtado clarified, saying, “I love him to death, but I was like, ‘I’m not showing up without glam.’” She also recognized that performing with Drake at such a late hour would make it even more of a spectacle, which she wasn’t ready for without proper preparation. Nonetheless, she still expressed her admiration for Drake, adding that he did a lot for Toronto’s music scene and Canada’s visibility in general.

Future Collaboration on the Horizon?

While Nelly was unable to perform with Drake that time, she remained hopeful about a future collaboration. Reflecting on the possibility of making music with the rap superstar, Furtado said, “I still think it would be cool to have a song with Drake. I think people would love that. Because we’re both Canadian. Toronto lore, you know? I think it would be really good.” She emphasized the strong Canadian connection they share, and how a collaboration could resonate with their shared roots in Toronto’s music scene.

Nelly Furtado’s 2022 Stage Appearance with Drake

Although she turned down the earlier invitation, Nelly Furtado later accepted Drake’s offer to perform with him on stage during the 2022 OVO October World Weekend. The performance was a special moment for both artists, with Drake introducing Furtado to the audience with heartfelt praise: “Right now, I need you to sing as loud as you possibly can because this right here took a lot!”

He went on to describe Furtado as someone whose music had significantly impacted his life, calling her “a Grammy-winning singer” who had changed the trajectory of his musical journey. The audience was equally enthusiastic as the two shared the stage for an unforgettable moment.

Drake Reflects on Toronto’s Hip-Hop Legacy

Before Furtado’s appearance, Drake took a moment to reflect on Toronto’s musical history, paying tribute to those who laid the foundation for both him and the city’s hip-hop scene. During his speech, he recalled a transformative moment from his youth when he watched JAY-Z bring out Kardinal Offishall at a show during the Roc The Caribana event in Toronto. Drake mentioned that this event, and seeing JAY-Z honor Kardinal, was a pivotal experience for him as a teenager, one that shaped his understanding of what was possible in the music industry.

Drake shared, “I’ll never forget: he was bringing out all his new acts like Teairra Marí — I don’t even know if you guys know who that is. Then towards the end of the night, he brought out one of the most important people to this city, a man named Kardinal Offishall.” He reflected that this moment unlocked something in his mind and made him realize that it was possible for an artist to achieve greatness, even from a place like Toronto.

Conclusion

While Nelly Furtado didn’t perform with Drake in Toronto due to the last-minute nature of the invitation, she clearly has a great deal of respect for him and for the impact he’s had on Canadian music. With a potential future collaboration on the horizon, fans can hope to see these two Canadian music icons come together to create something special. The 2022 OVO October World Weekend performance was a testament to the strong bond they share, and it’s clear that their mutual admiration for each other continues to grow.