MILAN – Canadian rapper and singer Drake kicked off his four-night sold-out residency at Milan’s Unipol Forum (46,000 tickets sold) with a historic performance, fulfilling a promise he made to his mother 15 years ago. The show, part of his ‘Some SexySongs for U’ European tour, was a career milestone for the artist.
“I am your entertainer, and I’ll be on this stage tonight until they kick me off,” Drake promised the audience. The concert was a comprehensive 360-degree experience, both in its setlist and stage design, which featured a circular runway surrounding the central parterre, placing the audience on all sides.
Arriving on stage waving an Italian flag handed to him by a fan, Drake addressed the crowd: “Milano, how are you doing tonight? This is one of the most important nights of my career. I’ve waited my entire life to come here for my first show in Italy,” he explained. “I told my mom when I was 17 that I would bring her back to Italy. And today is that day. Give a round of applause for my mom.” He then launched into his hits, starting with “Marvins Room.”
The setlist was a journey through his prolific career, from the rap of “No Face” to the global hit “God’s Plan” from his 2018 album ‘Scorpion.’ He ignited the arena with a pyrotechnic-heavy performance of Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” and invited female fans to sing along to “In My Feelings,” after complimenting the “fine ladies” in attendance.
After a brief DJ interlude, Drake reappeared, reflecting on the moment. “It was a dream; I don’t know why it took so long to bring Drake to Milan. I’m so Italian, it’s crazy. I dedicate this night to my Italians,” he said, referring to the community he grew up with in Toronto. He then delivered older favorites like 2016’s “Controlla” and led a massive crowd-wide sing-along to 2013’s “Hold On We’re Going Home.”
The performance featured a guest act by PartyNextDoor, during which Drake changed out of his sequined shirt into a sleeveless protective vest. The two later performed tracks from Drake’s latest album, including “Cn Tower,” “Somebody Loves Me,” and “Come and See Me.”
The concert took an emotional turn when Drake asked the audience to participate in “therapy,” encouraging them to scream the name of a worst ex and then raise a middle finger to signify resilience, leading into a performance of “You Broke My Heart.” The energy returned with “Rich Flex,” which had fans—whom he calls “my dogs”—barking along.
Though “Hotline Bling” signaled the approaching end, Drake extended the night with performances of “Nokia” and “Yabba’s Heartbrake.” He concluded with a message of unity: “This is not a normal night for me. You don’t know what the person next to you is going through. Please put your arm around someone you don’t know,” hoping to make it a truly “special evening.”