Toronto’s Rap Superstar and Actor Drake
Toronto’s rap superstar and actor Drake has been named the recipient of this year’s Allan Slaight Award for Achievement by a young Canadian.
Drake’s (real name Aubrey Graham) resume lists Grammy and Juno nominations (6 and 10 respectively) and two Juno wins. He is also known for his role as Jimmy Brooks on “DeGrassi: The Next Generation”. His “Thank Me Later” record released last year went platinum in Canada and The U.S. and debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts in both countries.
The Allan Slaight Award includes a $10,000. Honorarium that Drake said will be donated to Dixon Hall, a community service with the mandate to create opportunities for people in low-income neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Drake will receive his award October 1st during the Canada Walk of Fame gala. In a press release Drake said, “I am a proud Canadian and I am grateful to Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Slaight Foundation for this award.”
His new album “Take Care” is scheduled for release October 24th, which is also the rapper’s 25th birthday.
Yanna McIntosh won Outstanding Performance
Dora Awards
Yanna McIntosh won Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role at the Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The Awards, which honor excellence in the Toronto theatre scene, were presented at a gala ceremony in the Bluma Appel Theatre of the St. Lawrence Centre on June 27th.
