Drake Kicks Off Australian Tour With Emotional Speech: ‘I’m Very Much Alive’

Drake has officially launched his Anita Max Win tour in Australia, delivering an unforgettable opening night. The rap superstar ended his first show in Perth on Tuesday (February 4) with a heartfelt message to his fans, acknowledging their support over nearly two decades.

Drake’s Emotional Speech to Fans

Taking a moment to connect with the packed venue, Drake expressed his gratitude and emphasized that he is still thriving in the music industry.

“My name is Drake. I started doing music in 2008,” he told the roaring crowd. “I come all the way from Toronto, Canada. The year is now 2025, and no matter what, Drizzy Drake is very much alive, and that’s all thanks to you. I love you.”

Before wrapping up, he reminded fans to look out for one another. “It’s too many weird things going on out here, so make sure you take care of each other.”

Drake also promoted his upcoming album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, set to drop on Valentine’s Day (February 14).

Drake’s Tour Dates and Stops

Following the powerful opening night, Drake is set to perform across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane before concluding his tour in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 16. Fans can find ticket details and tour updates on Live Nation.

Drake’s Lavish Tour Pendant

Beyond the music, Drake made headlines for his extravagant Anita Max Win mascot pendant, designed by celebrity jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills. The eye-catching piece features:

• 3 kilos of gold

• 250 carats of flawless diamonds

• A hidden compartment that reveals Toronto’s skyline

• The tour dates engraved on the back

“Having done a number of Owl pieces for Drake, I was excited to work with him on this pendant,” Jason told TMZ. The design is a nod to Drake’s gambling enthusiasm, as ‘Anita Max Win’ is inspired by the phrase ‘I need a max win’ in casino culture.

Kanye West on Drake’s Feud With Kendrick Lamar

In other rap news, Kanye West recently spoke about Drake’s ongoing rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. The feud, which dominated much of 2024, saw Kendrick emerging as the winner. Speaking to Justin LaBoy in an interview premiered at a Grammys afterparty, Kanye acknowledged Kendrick’s victory but predicted that Drake would make a comeback.

“I was like, ‘Man, you killed my nemesis. Where’s the movies if it ain’t no Drake?’” Kanye joked. He later compared the situation to a superhero story: “Maybe it’s like in films where characters like Wolverine just go away for a couple movies.”

When asked whether Kendrick “killed” Drake, Kanye responded, “Yeah, for now. But you can’t ever count out Steph Curry. That man might get 200 points in one song.”

He further emphasized that hip-hop evolves constantly, saying, “Drake advanced the algorithm, Future advanced it, and now Kendrick is advancing the frequency.”

Final Thoughts

As Drake continues his Australian tour, fans eagerly await his upcoming album with PARTYNEXTDOOR. With an illustrious career spanning nearly 20 years, Drake has proven time and again that he remains one of the most influential figures in the music industry.

For more updates on Drake’s tour, check out Billboard and Complex.