Drake could only offer a few songs to Super Bowl week concert-goers, but the rapper-singer delivered a healthy dose of his hits instead.
The multi-Grammy winner had several jostling for position to watch her perform “H.Wood Homecoming” at Scottsdale Hangar One on Friday night. As some of the musicians crowded the stage, others like Alex Rodriguez and Jaleel White chilled in the VIP area, while stars like Michael Strahan watched Drake’s 45-minute performance from the second level of the luxury private jet complex.
Other star entertainers and athletes who attended Drake’s show included Serena Williams, Cher, HER, Lil Baby, Christina Aguilera, Meek Mill, Machine Gun Kelly, Tyga, Davante Adams, Odell Beckham Jr., Kyler Murray, Sauce Gardner and George Cattle. were involved.
Prior to Drake’s appearance, attendees of the invite-only event met for a few hours. Once he arrived, several people rushed to the stage and pulled out their phones to capture his set.
“Tonight, they asked me to do three songs in 20 minutes, right? I could either do 20 minutes or just run through all the old stuff,” he told the audience, who urged him to sing his old hits. “Okay, you asked for it.”
Drake performed several jams including “Best I Ever Had,” “Headlines,” “Controlla” and “HYGR.” He asked the crowd to sing the lyrics of 21 Savage’s verses on “Rich Flex”, a song from the Tandems’ collaborative album “Her Losers”.
The rap star asked the attendees, “Do you want more?” Most of the crowd urged him to do so.
“If you’re playing as shy or rich (obnoxious) or owning some tech company or some football team, we just don’t give (outsides),” he said. “If you know this song we just need you to turn in. I need your help.”
After the confetti fell, Drake performed “Knife Talk” which featured 21 Savage and Project Pat.
Finally, Drake paid tribute to Lil Wayne before closing his set by playing the Dolly Parton song “I Will Always Love You”, made famous by Whitney Houston. He sang every word along with many people in the crowd.
The “Homecoming” concert show was part of a night filled with other concerts in the Phoenix area before the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Shaquille O’Neal held his own carnival-style “Shaq’s Funhouse” with Snoop Dogg, and Travis Scott and Robin Thicke performed at the “Rolling Stone Live” Super Bowl party. Meek Mill hit the stage early Friday, performing a few songs including his popular “Dreams and Nightmares.”