Skip to main content

Drake and chill — ‘Hotline Bling’ rapper has plans for Netflix and Apple

Could Drake make an appearance in season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale?
Image used with permission by copyright holder
It may not be the Degrassi revival you were hoping for, but Drake is planning to return to TV. During a recent Hollywood Reporter interview, it was revealed that Drake is working on multiple film and TV projects for Netflix and Apple.

The first project the Hotline Bling rapper is attached to is an executive producer position on the revival of British crime series Top Boy. The series originally aired on British broadcaster Channel 4 between 2011-2013, and made Drake a zealous fanatic after he found the series on YouTube. The Netflix revival is set to begin production on November 9 with a 2019 release date, all thanks to Lil Wayne’s most successful signee. “Drake’s passion for Top Boy was clear from the first conversation, and he really drove its resurrection,” Netflix’s vice president of original content, Cindy Holland, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Bringing a show back from the dead would be an impressive feat, but Drake has bigger plans for a Hollywood takeover. Drake is also partnering on an unnamed TV series with Steve Golin, founder and CEO of Anonymous Content, the production company behind USA Network’s Mr. Robot. He is also working with A24, the film studio behind the Best Picture Academy Award-winning film Moonlight.

You may also see Drake on Apple Music again, but not in the way you might expect. Drake has been the streaming service’s poster boy since he helped unveil the service back in 2015, and signed a lucrative partnership with Apple. The Hollywood Reporter article did not specify what Drake is currently working on with Apple, but does state Apple “has given him the go-ahead to produce whatever he chooses — at least, according to Drake and Future (Drake’s business partner).” Drake made his 25-minute short film Please Forgive Me an Apple Music exclusive in 2016.

Drake also executive produced The Carter Effect, a documentary on NBA legend and former Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter’s effect on the city of Toronto. The article states the documentary may land on Netflix, as Drake and his business partner Adel “Future” Nur are currently shopping the doc, which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival.

The Toronto megastar said in the interview he plans to “take six months or a year to myself and do some great films,” which could eat into his time crafting hits. In March, he released More Life, the follow-up to his record-breaking album Views. On the More Life outro Do Not Disturb, he rapped “I’ll be back in 2018 to give you the summary,” hinting that we may not get new Drake music until next year. We’ll just have to be content with binge-watching Drake.

Editors' Recommendations

Keith Nelson Jr.
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Keith Nelson Jr is a music/tech journalist making big pictures by connecting dots. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY he…
Netflix has a new hit show with Who is Erin Carter? Here’s why you should watch it
Evin Ahmad in Who is Erin Carter?

Netflix has a new hit on its hands, thanks to the unexpected success of its new action thriller Who is Erin Carter? The show premiered last week with relatively little promotion, but subscribers have embraced the show, and it has already climbed to No. 1 on the list of the top 10 most popular shows on Netflix. A second season has yet to be ordered, but if the show keeps up this kind of performance, then it's a strong contender for a renewal.

As we head into the long Labor Day weekend, Who is Erin Carter? should be at the top of your shows to binge from the comfort of your own home. Here, we share three reasons why you should watch Who is Erin Carter? on Netflix.
Evin Ahmad gives a star-making performance

Read more
Netflix kills Basic plan in U.S., U.K. as ads bring in more revenue
The Netflix logo in app.

Netflix has pared down its subscription options, starting with accounts in the U.S. and U.K. As noted by U.K. site CordBusters, the $10-a-month Basic plan is no more, at least for new subscribers. That option got you the ability to watch ad-free on a single device,  limited to 720p resolution.

The move isn't unprecedented — Netflix quietly did the same thing in Canada in June. On its pricing page, Netflix says that the change affects new and returning members. Current subscribers of the Basic plan can keep it "until you change plans or cancel your account."

Read more
Netflix reportedly planning its first live sports broadcast
The Netflix logo is displayed on a TV screen while red lights illuminate the wall behind.

Netflix is planning its first sports-based live stream, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Monday.

The streaming giant is in talks to create a celebrity golf tournament featuring professional golfers and Formula 1 drivers, according to people claiming to have knowledge of the matter.

Read more