Drake may catch deserved flack for his sports team bandwagoning, but when it comes to his hometown Toronto Raptors, he's fiercely loyal.
Newly signed Raptors point guard Cory Joseph learned that firsthand this weekend after Drake shouted him out on "Charged Up," a new song released on Saturday.
Joseph, 23, signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Raptors in early July. The new Raptors recruit was also born and raised in Toronto, so when he won the 2013 NBA championship with the Spurs and decided to orchestrate his own homecoming this offseason, Drake was giddy for his Canadian brother.
Although "Charged Up" is mostly a diss song aimed at Meek Mill, Drake was showing nothing but love to Joseph when he rapped:
"We gon' make sure you get your bread, and you know the ropes / I get a ring and I bring it home like I'm Cory Joe"
Wow, this guy's been on the Raptors for less than three weeks and he's already been approved by Toronto's unofficial mayor of youth culture. Thanks to "Charged Up," this may be the warmest welcome a backup point guard has ever received his new team's fans.
Spurred on by Drake's love, Joseph's decided to literally put "the 6" on his back.
Screw introductory press conferences and celebratory Instagrams -- Drake's validation is what new members of the Raptors really need to get adjusted to the city. Invites to Drake-endorsed charity kickball games are welcome as well:
There's a new figurative "6 Man" in Toronto and, for once, it's someone other than Drake.
Next up on Joseph's NBA agenda: Winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award, because literally being the Sixth Man while wearing the No. 6 in The 6 while "6 God" raps about you would be PEAK Canadian basketball.
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