
June 17, 2025
Jagmeet Singh apologized to the “Hotline Bling” rapper, saying he was only there to see SZA, not Kendrick.
The Canadian politician who was spotted in the crowd at one of Kendrick Lamar and Sza’s Grand National Tour stops in Toronto has issued a public apology to Drake.
After Drake called him a “goof” in a private Instagram message over his attendance, Jagmeet Singh apologized to the “Hotline Bling” rapper, saying he was only there to see SZA, not Kendrick.
“I went for SZA, not Kendrick,” Singh wrote in an Instagram Story post captured by NFR Podcast. “I was born in this city. I love this city. But real talk, I get it. I shouldn’t have gone at all. OVO and Drake have lifted up this city and [Canada]. For me, it’ll always be Drake over Kendrick.”
The apology came after Drake reached out to Singh to express his disapproval of the Toronto public figure attending the concert.
“You’re a goof,” Drake wrote to Singh in a screenshot he shared online.
Photos and video captured Singh in the crowd at Kendrick and Sza’s sold-out show at Rogers Stadium. While Singh claimed he only went for Sza, the video captured him vibing to Kendrick’s performance of songs from his recent GNX album.
Singh’s appearance at the show was likely one of several moments from Kendrick’s Toronto concerts that irritated Drake. The Compton native, who was locked in a high-profile rap feud with Drake last year, performed his hit diss track “Not Like Us” on the first night, and the crowd erupted, chanting for an encore.
Footage also surfaced of fans rapping “Not Like Us” while visiting Toronto Chinese restaurant New Ho King after the concert.
The rap beef between Drake and Kendrick has escalated to the point where Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, accusing the label they both share of endangering his life and reputation by promoting Kendrick’s diss track. Many were worried about how Drake’s hometown would receive Kendrick, but from the looks of it, Kendrick received a warm welcome.
But as a prominent local figure in the 6, Singh wanted to make it clear to the public whose side he was on in the ongoing hip-hop feud.
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