Image via Complex Original
Drake told us in 2010 to thank him later, but the honorary establishment has shown gratitude his entire career. The Toronto rapper has garnered nearly 50 awards for his work dating back to 2009, a well-deserved gang of trophies led by a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2013.
Drake is a natural entertainer; whether acting, singing, or unintentionally providing us all with a laugh, he offers much more than a traditional acceptance speech—though he’s not the worst at that, either. From his earnest reaction to Jennifer Lopez’s stunning dress to shouting out his fans, Drake has amassed many special moments at award shows in his still burgeoning career.
Drake will soon follow his strong Saturday Night Live performance in January with his hosting gig at tonight’s ESPYs. He is sure to enjoy more award spoils as his career progresses, but for now, here are Drake’s Best Award Show Moments.
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Drake and Justin Bieber performing a remix of "Baby" at the 2010 Juno Awards.
Date: 4/18/2010
Beliebers are among the most voracious of fandoms, and with good reason: Bieber has a lot of star power. But four years and a couple arrests ago, Justin Bieber was just a pre-pubescent kid looking decidedly green in a performance for the 2010 Juno Awards. In place of Ludacris' verse, Drake joined his fellow Canadian on stage and livened up the lukewarm crowd with a few bars. Leave it to Drake to upstage the teenybopper at his own game.
Drake's acceptance speech for winning Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2010 BET Awards.
Date: 6/27/2010
Before Drake found himself sitting atop rap's throne, the one-time prince of hip-hop still garnered an array of accolades. He was crowned Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2010 BET Awards, and the acceptance speech that followed captured everything people love about the hitmaker.
Drake eloquently shared his appreciation for those who enabled his success. He humbly thanked his mother, father, Lil Wayne, and fans for their collective belief in his talents. He also showed love to his YMCMB family, who proudly stood behind him onstage.
"I cannot forget this and I forgot it before, and I'll never do it to myself again. Thank you to the fans because you made me, you made me everything that I am today," he said to the audience, and millions watching at home.
Drake, Mary J. Blige, and Swizz Beatz performing "Fancy" at the 2010 VMAs.
Date: 9/12/2010
Thank Me Later was full of bangers that would make for a great live show, but Drake's choice to perform "Fancy" at the 2010 VMAs was a bit of a surprise. However, Drizzy put a fresh twist on the track by bringing out Mary J. Blige (who the song was initially written for) and producer Swizz Beatz to perform a remix. The white sport jacket and the rapper's signature hand wave clinched the deal for him as a crowd favorite that night.
Drake reacting to Justin Bieber winning Best New Artist at the 2010 VMAs.
Date: 9/12/2010
Two of Canada's best-selling contemporary artists shared some TV time at the 2010 Video Music Awards. Justin Bieber, still a baby-faced singer not yet interested in peeing in buckets or spitting on fans, bested Nicki Minaj, then just a rookie rapper with a big buzz, in the Best New Artist category.
Drake, supportive of his friend and fellow national, gave Biebs a standing ovation. But moments later, the camera panned to Nicki Minaj's labelmate, by then in his seat and mouthing the words, "I knew it, I quit." Keeping it real, eh Drake?
Drake's openining monologue at the 2011 Juno Awards.
Date: 3/26/2011
Suited up and supported by Chilly Gonzales playing an instrumental rendition of "9 A.M. in Dallas," Drake kicked off his gig as host of the 2011 Juno Awards in grand fashion.
The actor-turned-rapper commanded the crowd, and immediately engineered a special moment of mutual respect, calling to attention the presence of a Canadian legend, Neil Young. Switching from showing homage to humor, Drake delivered an intentionally elementary rap that poked fun at his home country's love for hockey. "I'm working on an album, that's all I can give you," he said, deadpanning.
Drake awkwardly accepting the Viewers Choice Award that was supposed to go to Chris Brown at the 2011 BET Awards.
Date: 6/26/2011
It was far from a surprise that Drake was nominated for the Viewer's Choice Award at the 2011 BET Awards.
What was surprising was the laughable pair of errors committed by presenters Terrance J and Tiffany Green, who initially announced Chris Brown as the winner before handing off the trophy to Drake, who accepted on behalf of Rihanna.
"Okay, this is awkward," Terrance said, a sentiment Drake echoed soon after. It certainly was, and only grew more awkward still when it was revealed after the event that Chris Brown had, in fact, won. BET executive Stephen G. Hill would apologize for the mistake, but not before Drake dropped a hilarious subliminal. "OVO XO, your girl at my next show. Ayee." Classic Drizzy.
Drake performing "Headlines" at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Date: 11/20/2011
Catchy, cocky, and self-aware, "Headlines" was the perfect song for Drake's American Music Awards debut in 2011. We don't know what the gloves he was wearing were about, but we're sure he knows, he knows, he knows.
Drake's acceptance speech for winning Best Hip-Hop Video with Lil Wayne for "HYFR" at the 2012 VMAs.
Date: 9/6/2012
Drake's been running rap for nearly half a decade, but he took time to reflect on his less popular days at the 2012 VMAs. Clutching a Moonman after winning Best Hip-Hop Video for "HYFR," he said, "I went to this house party one time, and when I showed up there it was a bunch of kids. I ended up getting made fun of, but the point is, I want to dedicate this award to any kid that's ever had a long walk home by yourself." Talk about starting from the bottom.
Drake reacting to Jennifer Lopez's Dress at the 2013 Grammys.
Date: 2/10/2013
Candid Drake is just as great as calculated Drake. That was the case during the 2013 Grammy Awards when the camera caught the Toronto rapper reacting to Jennifer Lopez as she walked onstage to present an award. The 44-year-old mother of two gracefully walked out wearing a one-shoulder black dress with a hip-high slit up one side. The sexiness of her appearance was not lost on Drake, whose face said it all.
Drake performing "Hold On We're Going Home" and "Started From the Bottom" at the 2013 VMAs.
Date: 8/25/2013
If any artist in rap today could perfectly replicate their album cover on stage with a straight face, it would be Drake. That's exactly what he did when he performed his hit single, "Hold On, We're Going Home," at the 2013 VMAs last August.
The televised effort was a moment to show and prove; Drake had yet to sing his gushy ditty live, and speculation of his ability to deliver circulated the Internet. Though a bit pitchy, Drake respectably made it through a portion of "Hold On" before bringing the crowd to its feet with "Started From The Bottom"—thankfully abandoning the cloud-covered, Nothing Was The Same-inspired backdrop in the process.