Drake paid tribute to Nipsey Hussle during the opening night of his London residency at The O2 arena on Monday evening (01.04.19).
The 32-year-old rap star – who is on his ‘Assassination Vacation Tour’ – kicked off the much-anticipated first night of his seven night stay at the venue by paying homage to the late rapper, who was shot dead outside his clothing store in Los Angeles on March 31.
Drake stood in the centre of the stage and opened up about the ‘Racks In The Middle’ rapper whilst telling his fans that he was "thankful" to be with them.
Drake said "He [Nipsey] was somebody that provided for his people, somebody that always treated you with respect when he saw you, somebody that commanded respect when he walked in the room.
"So I really want to do this shout out for Nip tonight and I just want everybody to look around and be grateful and happy that we’re all here together, alive and well, because life can end at any moment. I just want to say I love you, I’m thankful to be with you tonight. London, as long as you’ll have me back I’ll stand in the middle of this building and give you everything I’ve f**king got. Cheers to my brother, rest easy my g. London, I love you."
Whilst on stage Drake projected an image of Hussle’s face onto screens before he performed the track ‘Elevate’ from his latest album ‘Scorpion’.
Before the song started, he told the crowd: "Want you to make some noise for the people who love you unconditionally because you never know how short life is."
The Canadian rapper and DJ Tiffany Calver also brought out special guests to join the ‘Nonstop’ hitmaker onstage, with Unknown T and Digdat making an appearance.
Giggs also joined the rapper for their track ‘KMT’, from Drake’s 2017 mixtape ‘More Life’.
Drake’s set was packed with hits and he ended his concert with ‘God’s Plan’ much to the delight of the capacity crowd.
Drake’s ‘Assassination Vacation’ Tour at The O2 setlist:
8 Out of 10
Mob Ties
Started From the Bottom
Jumpman (Drake & Future cover)
Both (Gucci Mane cover)
Know Yourself
Emotionless
Elevate
Going Bad (Meek Mill cover)
Energy
Yes Indeed (Lil Baby cover)
Gyalchester
Trophies
Crew Love
Over
Headlines
HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)
All Me
Blessings (Big Sean cover)
For Free (DJ Khaled cover)
The Motto
Walk It Talk It (Migos cover)
My Way (Fetty Wap cover)
That’s How You Feel
Passionfruit
Peak
Jaded
Sooner Than Later
Controlla
Work (Rihanna cover)
One Dance
Hotline Bling
MIA (Bad Bunny cover)
Fake Love
Nice for What
In My Feelings
Look Alive (BlocBoy JB cover)
Sicko Mode (Travis Scott cover)
Nonstop
I’m Upset
Encore:
God’s Plan