Global superstar Drake has officially announced the return of OVO Fest for summer 2025, sending fans into a frenzy during a surprise appearance at Central Cee’s concert in Toronto.

The unexpected moment took place on May 24 at History, a venue Drake co-owns with Live Nation. From the VIP balcony, Drake addressed the crowd and congratulated UK rapper Central Cee on his rising success before dropping the big news as reported by Toronto Star.

“I’ll see you this summer, by the way. OVO Fest will be back this year,” Drake said, adding that Central Cee would be a must-have on the lineup: “We’ll need you there for that.”

This marks the first official return of OVO Fest since 2022, when Drake reunited with Young Money legends Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, and celebrated Canadian talent like Kardinal Offishall, Nelly Furtado, and Shawn Desman.

The upcoming edition will also be Drake’s first since his much-publicized lyrical feud with Kendrick Lamar and his ongoing legal dispute with Universal Music Group.

While no further details have been revealed yet, Drake gave fans a hint of what’s to come, praising Central Cee’s track “Day in the Life” as one of his favorites:

“I can go word for word on that,” he told the crowd.

OVO Fest traditionally takes place in August, coinciding with Toronto’s iconic Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) — adding to the festive energy that takes over the city every summer.

Drake also treated fans to a live performance of his latest hit, “Nokia”, from his 2025 collaborative album with PartyNextDoor, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. This isn’t the first time the rapper has used another artist’s show to deliver breaking news — he first teased the album during a surprise set with PartyNextDoor at Budweiser Stage in 2024.

Known for his love of surprises, Drake has made OVO Fest a one-of-a-kind experience for fans worldwide. With its star-studded history and reputation for unforgettable moments, 2025 is already shaping up to be one of its most anticipated editions yet.