Drake to receive key to the city from Toronto Mayor John Tory

Mayor John Tory has announced Toronto rapper Drake will receive a key to the city on Friday.

Presentation will be held at Ricoh Coliseum on Friday.

CBC News Posted: Feb 11, 2016 4:10 PM EST | Last Updated: February 11, 2016

Drake met with Mayor John Tory at his City Hall office on Feb. 3 to discuss his contributions and future goals for the city of Toronto. (City of Toronto )

Mayor John Tory took to Twitter to praise homegrownrapper Drake for his unconditional support for Torontoand announced he will give him akey to the city on Friday.

The presentation will take place in front of thousands of fans at Ricoh Coliseum tomorrow as part of the NBA All-Star celebrity gamethat Drake is coaching.

"Drake is Toronto's biggest champion: in his music, his mentorship of local talent and his presence on the world stage. He makes people feel good about themselves and their city, and he has drawn the eyes of the world to Toronto. He deserves our city's recognition and our pride and I'm honoured to give him the Key to the City," said Mayor Tory in a statement released by the city.

The Mayor shared his love for Drakein a flurry of tweets Thursday afternoon, which included a video explanation.

Tomorrow Ill give out the Key to the City. This is why. @Drake https://t.co/dfdIVQW3yk
—@JohnTory

Toronto must tell its stories. We must celebrate our talent & harness it for change. This isnt swagger. It is key. pic.twitter.com/GZZXD0cg0r
—@JohnTory

This is a man who could live anywhere, but calls Toronto home. He wants us to be proud of him. And we are. I am.
—@JohnTory

This is a man who has achieved wild success, by any standard. And more than anything, he wants great things for Toronto.
—@JohnTory

He talked about his desire to build our music scene, to inspire youth and help address the social issues felt across Toronto.
—@JohnTory

He talked about wanting to contribute & for the city to see him as more than just a name but a force of good.
—@JohnTory

In our conversations, he told me how he feels about Toronto. He told me what it means to him to be from here, and the role he wants to play.
—@JohnTory

I knew his name, I knew his face & I knew his music. And we wanted the chance to get to know one another, and talk about the city we love.
—@JohnTory

I was lucky recently to spend time with a man who is well known in our city and around the world.
—@JohnTory

Going to try a twitter essay. Start it from the bottom.
—@JohnTory

This is the first time Mayor Tory willhandout a key to the city since he took office in December 2014.

Drake joins a long list of other prominent individualswho have received a key to the city, includingMike Myers, Muhammad Ali, Neil Young, Celine Dion, and The Rolling Stones.

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Drake to receive key to the city from Toronto Mayor John Tory

Presentation will be held at Ricoh Coliseum on Friday.

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