Highlights and lowlights from Toronto’s OVO Fest and Kultureland

Unless you’ve been living under a rock this past week and a bit in the midst of Ontario’s summer concert season, then you’ve probably heard of the concert events that took Toronto by storm this weekend – the first being the return of Drake’s OVO fest to Toronto and the second being the much anticipated Kultureland festival in Markham.

Both featured some pretty big names headlining each event, drawing fans from all across the country to try and catch a glimpse of some of their favourite artists. But of course, there were some unexpected, not-so-great moments to happen at both concerts.

Let’s take a look at some of the highs and lows from both events, beginning with OVO Fest.

Highlight: The headliners

It’s Drake we’re talking about here. Every year for OVO Fest, he brings out some of hip-hop’s best talent to partake in the festivities with him. In years past, he’s brought in Future, Jay-Z, Kanye West, The Weeknd, Travis Scott and more.

This year, after a two-year pandemic hiatus, Drake opted to honour his home country with what he dubbed the “All Canadian North Stars” show to highlight historical hip-hop and R&B artists that paved the way for Canada’s music scene. This included performances by Kardinal Offishall, K-Os, Choclair, Shawn Desman and more.

Then on Friday, Chris Brown and Lil Baby's One Of Them Ones show in Toronto was included as part of the OVO Fest schedule. Oh, and the local Canadian talent didn’t stop on Thursday. No, Drake brought out Nelly Furtado for a special appearance on Friday. The beloved singer came out and performed her hits “Promiscuous" and "I’m Like a Bird."

The anticipation for the event’s finale was real. To end off the weekend’s festivities, Drake would be performing on stage with some of the artists that he credits the most with making him the artist he is today, including his mentor Lil Wayne and close friend Nicki Minaj. The Young Money Reunion was on! Until…

Lowlight: The delay

Drake caught COVID-19.

The very day that he was scheduled to reunite with Weezy and Minaj, Drake revealed that he had tested positive for COVID, apologized profusely on social media, and vowing to reschedule as soon as he tests negative again.

It was a devastating blow to anyone that was set to attend the performance that night. Especially with the uncertainty for when the event would be rescheduled. Just under a month ago, for example, The Weeknd was forced to reschedule the hometown performance of his latest tour, postponing it until late-September.

No one knew what to expect in terms of when the event would be rescheduled for. Until Drake made his next announcement…

Highlight: The main event is back on!

Four days later, Drake announced that the event was back on for the upcoming Saturday, August 6.

“Negative test…positive outcome…this was the only date available until the fall and because the family is so solid everybody is flying back in to make it happen for you all,” said Drake on Instagram. 

The trio performed a selection of some their most loved collaborations, including “HYFR,” “Moment 4 Life,” “Up All Night” and “The Motto,” to end the OVO Festivities.

Meanwhile across the city in Markham, another grand hip-hop event was set to take place at the Markham Fairgrounds. Kultureland was supposed to be epic. Though the event didn’t go as planned in the end, it certainly wasn’t without its highlights, either.

Highlight: Day 1

Chart-topping artists Jhené Aiko and Burna Boy were set to headline what was to be an unforgettable experience of Afro-fusion, Latin, dancehall and R&B music. 

It seemed the festival started off on the right foot with Burna Boy, who delivered an explosive and wildly entertaining set on Saturday night. 

Midway through Burna’s performance of “Toni-Ann Singh,” featured artist and dancehall superstar Popcaan burst onto the stage to screaming fans, as he deejayed and whined his waistline to his verses.

Lowlight: Day 2

Unfortunately, the positive start to the festival weekend came to a bit of an abrupt end. 

For unknown reasons, the festival changed locations for Sunday, some 40 kilometres away to the Ajax Downs Racetrack, with the announcement coming less than two hours before the second day’s events were set to begin.

Then, several artists on the Kultureland lineup dropped out of the festival without advance notice, including Aiko. Coupled with a variety of different logistical issues for ticket holders and the sweltering heat, the event’s second day failed to live up to expectations.

It is not entirely known what happened that led to such a dramatic turn of events, but fans in attendance were recorded in a chant demanding refunds. Popcaan, who returned to perform for the second day of the event, called out the event’s promoters during his set on stage.