Drake has had plenty of touring experience over the last year, but he hasn't performed at an award show since his "Work" duet with Rihanna at last year's BRITS. He'll be ending the drought with a "big moment" at the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday, at least according to executive producer Mark Bracco.
"You know, Drake does not perform on television very often so I think whenever he does it's a real event," he told Billboard. "We built a real terrific relationship with his team, working creatively with them and coming up with a big idea, and I think it's gonna be a very, very big moment in the show. It's not a surprise necessarily but it's gonna be a moment that people aren't exactly expecting.... It'll be memorable, I promise you that."
Bracco went on to reveal that show's producers have been in talks with Drake for months. Now that he's confirmed to perform (and leads the nominations), plans have been made for a "unique and exciting and spectacular" showcase. "[W]hat Drake deserves is a big, huge moment and, luckily, in working with his team I think we've come up with something creatively that's going to be really astounding," Bracco promised.
Nicki Minaj is scheduled to open the show, which opens the possibility of Nicki and Drake sharing the stage at some point. It seems likely that Minaj will perform her recent single "No Frauds," on which Drake is featured (Lil Wayne, who also has a verse, is already confirmed to make an appearance during Nicki's opening). Seeing that Drake has released both VIEWS and More Life since his last award show performance, he certainly has a lot of solo material to choose from as well.
The BBMAs will take place this Sunday, May 21st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. They will air at 8PM EST on ABC.
Rewatch Drake and Rihanna's BRIT Awards performance.
