6 Fest ticket-holders hoping for a “surprise” appearance from Drake this weekend might be in for disappointment.
Drake announced Wednesday that he’s officially postponed one of his two upcoming Toronto shows due to a “recent ankle injury,” casting doubts on whether or not the Toronto rapper will be one of 6 Fest’s special guests.
so sad that Drake probably won’t be showing up to 6fest now?
— SP (@xoskp) October 5, 2016
For 6 Fest attendees, the news might mean the upcoming Ryerson Students’ Union-affiliated event has lost its biggest surprise attraction.
Alongside electronic dance music superstar Diplo and Detroit rapper Big Sean, 6 Fest promotional material has promised surprise guests for its concerts on Oct. 9 and 10. So far, Drake is the most speculated secret performer, considering the RSU’s previous track record of securing the rapper for campus events.
Drake got injured and cancelled his concert for this weekend? Is Ryerson gonna postpone #6Fest again? ?
— Zulekha Pirzada (@zulekhapirzada) October 5, 2016
The Toronto rapper is also credited with popularizing the use of “the 6” as a nickname for Toronto, possibly in reference the city’s 416 and 647 area codes, essentially making him 6 Fest’s namesake.
injured ankle? I say bring back Degrassi Drake #6fest pic.twitter.com/Jhz2AExa6T
— Samm (@Sam_R_98) October 6, 2016
On the event’s Facebook page, the RSU declined to comment on any details about 6 Fest aside from its two named headliners, the dates and the venue. This comes after 6 Fest organizers attracted ire from some Ryerson students over the festival’s date change, moving the two-day event to Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday.
If Jordan can drop 38 with the flu, Drake can perform with a sprained ankle @Drake #6Fest
— Sukhman Sekhon (@Sukhman404) October 5, 2016
With Drake’s injury and a general lack of information from the RSU, those planning on attending 6 Fest are left with few clues regarding other potential performers.
Drake’s show on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Air Canada Centre is still set to go on, but his Sunday, Oct. 9 performance was cancelled, along with another concert in Philadelphia. This comes as a big disappointment for any Sunday ticket-holders hoping to catch one of the artist’s homecoming shows as he wraps up his sprawling Summer Sixteen Tour.
Student life and music reporter for The Ryersonian.