The “6 God” pulled out all the stops to ring in his 40th birthday in legendary fashion. Drake hosted an extravagant private bash at Casa Cipriani in New York City, gathering over 400 close friends, family, and A-list celebrities for an unforgettable night filled with high-stakes luxury and unexpected surprises.
Far from a typical industry party, the evening blended peak flex culture with game-show-style cash prizes and a dose of pure musical nostalgia.
$1 Million Cash Giveaway and Designer Gifts
The centerpiece of the celebration was a game-show-inspired raffle system designed exclusively for attendees. Guests didn’t just walk away with gift bags; they competed for life-changing prizes:
- Massive Cash Raffles: Guests participated in live games with cash prizes ranging from tens of thousands of dollars up to a potential $1,000,000 jackpot.
- High-Fashion Giveaways: On top of the cash incentive, attendees took home luxury designer items, including high-end handbags from Chanel and Hermès.
The Big Surprise: Backstreet Boys Live on Stage
The emotional peak of the night came when iconic 90s boy band Backstreet Boys made a surprise appearance to perform a set of their greatest hits.
The highlight of the evening occurred when Drake took the stage alongside the group to belt out their 1999 smash hit, “I Want It That Way”. During the show, the Toronto native shared a nostalgic memory from his 13th birthday at his bar mitzvah, recalling how that exact song played when his childhood crush asked him to dance for the first time, making him feel “cool and recognized.”
The NYC event capped off several days of birthday festivities, which originally kicked off in Toronto with an intimate gathering alongside his mother and closest inner circle at the CN Tower.
A Record-Breaking RIAA Milestone
The milestone birthday coincided with a historic achievement in his music career. On the day of his birthday, Billboard confirmed that Drake became the first artist in history to cross 350 million RIAA certified units. The news came with 30 new certifications, including Diamond status for his album Views and hit singles “In My Feelings” and “Marvin’s Room”, pushing his career total to a record-setting 18 Diamond records.
