Drake's 40th Birthday Bash Gives Guests A Shot At $1 Million

Walking away with $1 million was a real possibility for guests attending Drake's 40th birthday bash. The Toronto rapper celebrated his milestone birthday with an extravagant New York City party featuring designer handbags, cash prizes, and a surprise performance by the Backstreet Boys. TMZ shared that more than 400 friends and family members gathered at Casa Cipriani on Friday (Oct. 23), just hours before Drake officially turned 40. The evening included a game-show-style competition offering cash prizes ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to a potential $1 million jackpot.

Guests were also treated to luxury giveaways featuring Chanel and Hermès handbags. However, it's unclear whether anyone actually walked away with the seven-figure grand prize. The celebration was the latest example of Drake's expensive taste in birthday festivities, although the night's entertainment offered a particularly nostalgic surprise.

The Backstreet Boys made an unexpected appearance during the party, performing for the crowd before Drake joined them onstage for their 1999 hit "I Want It That Way." Footage from the celebration captured the rapper's excitement as he sang alongside the group. This wasn't their first time performing together. In July 2022, Drake joined the Backstreet Boys during their Toronto concert, where he explained why the song held a special place in his childhood.

At 13, Drake recalled being an awkward teenager who had a crush on a girl who barely acknowledged him. That changed at his bar mitzvah, when she unexpectedly asked him to dance as "I Want It That Way" played. "It was the first time I ever felt acknowledged," he told the audience. "It was the first time I ever felt like I had a shot at being cool."

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The Big Apple celebration followed several days of birthday festivities, including a private gathering at Toronto's CN Tower. Friends surprised Drake with a collection of photographs and memories before he traveled to New York with his mother and entourage.

His 40th birthday also coincided with another career milestone. On Friday, Billboard reported that Drake had become the first artist to surpass 350 million RIAA-certified units after receiving 30 new certifications. Among them were Diamond certifications for Views, "In My Feelings," and "Marvin's Room," bringing his total to a record 18 Diamond plaques.