Drake returns to Lexington

By Kristen Sekinger

Hip-hop and rhythm and blues singer Drake will be performing at Rupp Arena Wednesday at 8 p.m. for his tour “Club Paradise,” featuring his newest album “Take Care.”

The Canadian rapper has been heating up the hip-hop industry ever since his “So Far Gone” mixtape came out in February 2009.

His new album, “Take Care,” debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 631,000 copies in its first week. Drake has made it known he is a fan of the Cats, as well as a friend of head coach John Calipari.

On Oct. 16, 2009, Drake made an appearance at “Big Blue Madness” in Rupp Arena.

He also attended a men’s basketball game against Louisville in January 2009.

Drake returned to UK’s campus on April 27, 2010, to perform his first concert at UK.

Paul Sutton, a community communication leadership and development junior, said he’s most excited about Drake’s shout-out to the men’s basketball team.

“I’m looking forward to him calling out the UK basketball team because he’s a big fan,” he said.

Sutton has lower-level seats for the concert, and said he is excited to watch Drake perform one of his favorite songs called “Headlines.”

Erich Sinclair, a biology and chemistry sophomore who is a big fan of Drake, said he likes Drake because “he is a unique artist with a solid flow.”

Many students have stressed that ticket prices for the concert are an issue. Floor seats are completely sold out, but there are still lower-level seats available.  Those are priced at $89 a person, and upper-level seats at $48.90 and go to $70 a person. Sinclair said he will not be attending the concert. “I don’t want to pay that much for a ticket,” he said.

Other students found that class became a conflict with going to the concert.

Jen Breseman, a communications freshman, said she likes Drake as a performer because “he is not limited to one style.”

Breseman said she wishes she could go to the concert, but she can’t because of a class Wednesday night.

For more information about available tickets, go to www.rupparena.com. Students get $10 off tickets with a valid ID.