a short film in which young black men discuss the effects of gun violence on their lives. It’s a comment on last year’s raft of shootings – there were 51 gun deaths, the second-highest annual total ever – and is directed by Mustafa the Poet, a Regent Park artist who’s been a powerful truth-teller since he wasOn social media, Mustafa has been praised for convincing guys with historic rivalries to participate in the same project.
This is partially fair: Drake has said himself that he’s been affected by gun violence, and beyond that, his influence is huge. But it’s also been embarrassing to see the city’s most famous black person being asked to solve Toronto’s systemic anti-blackness. In 2017, Crime Stoppers actually tweeted at Drake to help the police “#StoptheViolence” after a shooting that killed one of his friends.
This doesn’t mean Drake couldn’t do more, or better. His desire to help people seems alternately genuine and self-aggrandizing. Last year, he gave out US$1-million in Miami while filming the video for, which was nice, but also an icky bit of poverty porn that turned a low-income black mother crying with relief into wallpaper for the musician’s largesse.Locally, his philanthropy is inseparable from his brand, and more or less centred on his role as a global ambassador for the Raptors.
globetoronto Where is the contract that says he has to 'do' things for Toronto? Having said that, I couldn't name one of his songs, and I couldn't care less
globetoronto Why is it his job to do anything for Toronto? Wierd question or is it just me?
globetoronto he does his share of giving back to his community. The question should be are we all doing enough for toronto
GlobeToronto why don’t you critique Justin bieber or Ryan gosling
globetoronto Drake is making a fool of us.
globetoronto He probably pays $100k a year in property taxes... so there's that. And he probably doesn't sit in a basement apartment coming up with click bait for a reputable daily... so there's that, too. One more of these articles and I'm turfing my subscription.
globetoronto Short answer: yes
globetoronto WHO?
globetoronto Who?
globetoronto Leave Driz alone. He put this city back on the map!
globetoronto You mean when the trickle down pennies goin to come down from Drake & other Stars, CEOs, Prime Share Holder Mega Millonares etc ultra rich to get tired of stacking their offshore accnts & offshore orgies to turn around & spend some here too, eh
globetoronto Possibly the dumbest question ever asked.
globetoronto Drake doesn't need to but he does
globetoronto Why should he do anything? Drake made it big, but it doesn't mean he owes Toronto any thing.We should just enjoy his presence in Toronto. Governments not doing enough.
globetoronto Without reading the article yes. Yes Drake does. How much more can a hip hop artist do to represent their city in a positive light? Don’t like his music, but that dude bleeds 416
globetoronto The most pressing issue. Obviously.