TORONTO, Canada – On Friday, Canadian rapper Drake made a surprising announcement regarding a temporary break from his music career, mere hours after the release of his latest album. The Grammy Award-winning artist cited recurring stomach issues as the primary reason behind his decision.
During an episode of his SiriusXM radio show “Table For One,” Drake candidly shared, “I probably won’t make music for a little bit, I’m gonna be honest. I need to focus on my health first and foremost… I need to get right.” He went on to reveal, “I’ve been having the craziest problems for years with my stomach.”
The 36-year-old musician had just dropped his highly-anticipated studio album titled “For All The Dogs.” The album boasts collaborations with notable artists such as Bad Bunny, J. Cole, SZA, Lil Yachty, and even includes a sample from Frank Ocean. Notably, Drake’s five-year-old son, Adonis, played a significant role in the project by creating the artwork for the album cover and making an appearance in the music video for the new single “8AM in Charlotte.” Adonis also showcased his rapping skills on the track “Daylight.”
Unfortunately, Drake’s decision to take a break has led to the cancellation or postponement of several upcoming concerts in the United States, as confirmed by his official website and Ticketmaster. However, it appears that the Toronto shows scheduled for Friday and Saturday remained unaffected, with eager fans already lining up in anticipation.
In addition to addressing his health concerns, Drake also mentioned his commitment to fulfill unspecified obligations, stating, “I got some other things I need to do for some other people that I made promises.”
As for the duration of his hiatus, Drake expressed uncertainty, saying, “I’m gonna lock the door in the studio for a little bit. I don’t even know what a little bit is. Maybe a year or so, maybe a little longer.”
Throughout his musical career, the multi-platinum-selling artist has often referenced his Jewish heritage. In the music video for the song “Falling Back” released last year, he portrayed a groom in a wedding ceremony officiated by an Orthodox rabbi. While the wedding itself was far from traditional, Drake’s connection to his heritage was evident. Additionally, on a mixtape from last year, he rapped, “I should probably go to a yeshiva.” His album “Take Care” from 2012 featured him posing with a Kiddush cup and Sabbath candles on the cover, and he humorously recreated his own “re-bar mitzvah” in the music video for his 2011 single “HYFR,” even reprising the concept in a “Saturday Night Live” sketch.
