Drake surprised one attendee with a $5,000 cash gift during an exclusive Janice-themed event in Toronto on Sunday, as part of the promotional campaign for his hit track "Janice STFU." The rapper hosted invitation-only gatherings for women named Janice in five North American cities simultaneously.
Toronto Event Details
The Toronto event, held at Cactus Club, attracted large crowds. Videos shared online showed long queues outside the venue. Footage circulating on social media captured the moment one attendee named Janice received a $5,000 prize from the rapper, prompting cheers from those in attendance.
Multi-City Campaign
The Toronto gathering was one of several held simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston. Another clip from the New York event showed a participant winning $2,500 during what appeared to be a more formal sit-down lunch. The events ran from 1pm until 4pm, with attendees continuing to post photos and videos from the celebrations online.
Marketing and Reactions
The events were inspired by Drake's song "Janice STFU," which has become one of the standout tracks from his ICEMAN era. The promotional campaign has included a range of unconventional marketing initiatives, including ice sculptures, interactive websites, and multiple album releases designed to maintain interest in the project. Not everyone has embraced the concept. Actor O'Shea Jackson Jr. jokingly compared the Janice-only events to Operation Flagship, the 1985 law enforcement sting that lured fugitives with the promise of free football tickets. The comparison was made in jest, and no incidents related to the events have been reported.
Recent Local Business Support
The campaign also follows Drake's recent appearances supporting local businesses, including a visit to Houston restaurant Lost In Da Sauce Kitchen, where he praised the venue's food in a video shared on social media.
