Drake's Father Explains Why Rapper Didn't Attend Oakland Games During Finals

BY Erika Marie 13.1K Views
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Drake
Security issues and rowdy fans could have spelled trouble.

When the Toronto Raptors took to their home court, Drake was right there on the sidelines cheering them on. He may have been a thorn in the side of their competitors, but the Raptors ambassador didn't mind the criticisms of his courtside behavior. However, not everyone thought that all was fair in love and basketball, and hoards of Golden State Warriors fans dared the OVO rapper to take those antics to the Bay Area.

Yet, Drake was nowhere to be found during his team's away games, as he mentioned on his Instagram Live that he was told to keep his distance because of "security issues." TMZ cameramen were lurking around the L.A. restaurant Delilah, a favorite among celebrities, when they stumbled upon Drake's father, Dennis Graham. The paparazzo asked Graham about the specifics of his son's "security issues" and he said, "Being in another state...When people see you in Toronto and you're making sideline things like that you have to be careful...with the rowdy fans, you can't take chances."

According to TMZ, it was the NBA who reached out to Drake and told him to stay away from Oakland when the Golden State Warriors were playing at home. Graham thought it was a better idea for his son to watch the away games from the Jurassic Park in Toronto.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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