Drake’s London Store Vandalized Amid Shooting Investigation

Drake’s London Store Vandalized Amid Shooting Investigation
(Top) Drake attends the LA Premiere of HBO's "Euphoria" at The Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles on June 4, 2019. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Bottom photo) Toronto police patrol outside the home of Canadian rapper Drake after reports of a shooting early on May 7, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov Luna /AFP via Getty Images)
Jessamyn Dodd
5/7/2024
Updated:
5/8/2024

Early Tuesday morning, a shooting occurred outside of the Toronto mansion owned by hip-hop star Drake, injuring a security guard. Inspector Paul Krawczyk of Toronto’s Gun and Gang Task Force confirmed the guard’s injury but did not disclose whether Drake was home at the time. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

During a press conference, the inspector stated, “That person was working as a security guard at the residence. He was standing outside of the gates, in front of the residence when the shooting occurred. We have individuals who obviously performed this shooting who were seen in a vehicle. I do not have a description of the vehicle or the suspects at this time.” He urged anyone with information to come forward.

According to a statement to The Epoch Times from Inspector Krawczyk, at about 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, police received a call about a shooting at a residence on Park Lane Circle, in Toronto’s exclusive Bridle Path neighborhood. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A vehicle fled the scene after the shooting.

The statement said “we cannot confirm if the owner of the residence was home at the time of the shooting.”

Meanwhile, the London OVO store owned by Drake was vandalized early Tuesday. In an X post, hip hop media outlet Daily Loud posted a picture of the store, with the words “They not like us” spray painted on its window. The identity of the vandal is unknown.

The phrase directly references rapper Kendrick Lamar’s recent diss track aimed at Drake, titled “Not Like Us.”

The violence and vandalism come amid the escalating feud between Drake and Lamar, with each artist releasing “diss tracks” about each other. On May 5, Drake released “The Heart Part 6.” The latest installment in his lyrical sparring match with Lamar, it addresses the rapper’s accusations, particularly those concerning Drake’s alleged involvement with underage individuals and claims about concealing another child. (Drake’s acknowledgment of fathering 6-year-old Adonis came after initial denials, notably on his 2018 album, “Scorpion.”)

This track, clocking in at over five minutes, serves as a direct riposte to Lamar’s 2022 release “The Heart Part 5,” also taking aim at Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize. Additionally, Drake levied allegations that he and his associates fabricated information about a secret daughter, intending for Lamar to utilize it in a forthcoming song.

The feud’s origins can be traced back to 2011 when Lamar appeared on Drake’s album “Take Care,” fostering what initially seemed like a budding friendship. However, tensions surfaced in August 2013 when Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control” track called out Drake and other rappers by name, igniting a firestorm of rivalry.

Despite the escalating verbal exchanges, Lamar has yet to issue a response, as of May 6. However, his release of “Not Like Us” on May 4, the fourth diss track aimed at Drake, seemingly accuses Drake of grooming young women. Drake has never been formally accused of pedophilia.

“Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young/ You better not ever go to cell block one,” Lamar rhymes, taking direct aim at Drake’s 2021 album, “Certified Lover Boy.”

Meanwhile, WWE star Shawn Michaels, currently serving as the vice president of talent development at the WWE NXT, addressed the rap rivalry, extending an invitation for the two to settle their differences in the wrestling ring.

In a post on X (Twitter), Mr. Michaels suggested, “A little Sweet Chin Music goes a long way. @kendricklamar, you and @Drake are formally invited to #WWENXT to settle this thing. I’m even offering my services to mediate. However, neither Lamar nor Drake responded to Mr. Michaels’ outreach.