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Sunday, May 19, 2024
NEWS  |  CAMPUS

Hip-hop artist Drake entertains about 6,600 people at the O'Connell Center

Hip-hop artist Drake earned cheers, screams, camera clicks and a marriage proposal during his Wednesday night performance at UF. The proposal was written on a sign held by an audience member.

He asked the girl her age.

Her response? 15.

He said he'd introduce her to a friend, some guy named Justin Bieber.

Drake entertained about 6,600 people at the O'Connell Center on Wednesday night for his "Club Paradise Tour," said O'Connell Center Director Lynda Reinhart.

Drake performed hits such as "Take Care" and "The Motto." Rappers Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky opened the show.

Nineteen-year-old health science freshman Meaghan Hart said she likes Drake's style.

"He's not just for the boys," she said.

He performed her favorite song, "Make Me Proud," which Hart said represents her well. The singer introduced the song with a shout-out to the female students in the audience.

Live Nation Entertainment and Haymon Events brought the concert to UF, said Renee Musson, associate director at the O'Connell Center, and no student fees were used to pay the artist.

Drake, 25, was born Aubrey Drake Graham and grew up in Toronto, Canada. He rose to fame playing Jimmy Brooks on the TV show "Degrassi: The Next Generation."

His first studio album, "Thank Me Later," was released in 2010, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and later went platinum. In November, he released his second studio album, "Take Care," featuring collaborations with artists including Rihanna, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.

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Musson said the capacity for the event was between 7,000 and 9,000 people. No general admission was available, she said, only assigned seating.

Family, youth and community sciences senior Ling Su said before Drake performed that she was looking forward to hearing some of her favorite of his songs.

"I'm expecting it to be a ‘Club Paradise,'" she said.

Drake ended the night with one last shout-out to the fans at the O'Connell Center.

"And until the next time, ‘Take Care,'" he said.

Alli Langley contributed to this report.

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