Drake drops in at C.W. Jefferys.
Toronto rapper Drake surprised students at the Focus On Youth program at C. W. Jefferys July 30.
Photo/SUBMITTED
A high school dropout who's promised his mom he'll return to school just as soon as he gets back from being on top of the hip hop world paid an unannounced visit to hundreds of students in the Focus on Youth summer program at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute.
Drake, a Toronto rapper and former Degrassi: The Next Generation actor, surprised the students with his July 30 appearance and speech, which came just two days before he headlined the O.V.O. Fest at Ontario Place, where the up-and-comer was joined on stage by veteran rap icons Eminem and Jay-Z as well as fellow Canadian leading light Kardinal Offishall.
"The reaction to Drake was very positive," Chris Spence, the Toronto District School Board's (TDSB) director of education, stated in an email. "The kids loved him and he had a powerful message about believing in yourself. Everyone understood how busy he is so for him to take time out of his hectic schedule to share his story and answer questions. It was special.
"Drake talked about being a kid from Toronto who is living his dream. He attended TDSB schools during his schooling. He talked about his favourite subject, English, his favorite song, who he looks up to, the importance of family, and some of the goals he has in life."
Spence, who's become known in his short time as director for his desire to use alternative approaches to reduce the achievement gap between students of different ethnicities and genders, said he got Drake to appear simply by asking.
"If you want to reach today's youth you have to go through their doors. They listen to and admire Drake," stated Spence. "I met Drake at a fundraiser and asked him if he would be interested in speaking to some of our kids and sharing his story. He agreed on the spot and said it was something he would love to do. We kept in touch with his management team and when he came to Toronto he delivered on his promise."
Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the 23-year-old hip hop artist is currently near the top of the charts with his first LP, Thank Me Later, released just over a month ago. The disc followed on the mammoth and unexpected success of his third mixtape, the EP So Far Gone, which helped Drake get signed by Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment label.
Drake was already in the public eye, however, after playing the character of Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi from 2001 to 2009. About a year after getting the role, the then-teenager dropped out of Forest Hill Collegiate Institute.
His life decision obviously hasn't affected his monetary situation, though it's a scenario extremely unlikely to play out for the vast majority of high school dropouts. U.S. President Barack Obama last year made headlines for his comments on the importance of education during a speech at the NAACP's centennial convention.
"It also means pushing our children to set their sights a little bit higher," said Obama. "They might think they've got a pretty jump shot or a pretty good flow but our kids can't all aspire to be LeBron or Lil Wayne. I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers."
Spence said, however, he didn't have any concerns about the appropriateness of Drake as a role model.
"The whole day was nothing but positive," explained Spence. "Drake himself addressed the fact that he didn't finish high school and repeatedly encouraged all students to do so and to follow their dream. He referenced the fact that his mother (Sandi Graham) was a teacher and so he has promised her he will finish school. In fact, he said not finishing school was one of his biggest regrets. That statement alone coming from Drake was very powerful!"