Drake Spooks Torontonians With Explosion, Hides Iceman Release Date In Giant Block Of Ice

Drake has been teasing his ninth studio album called Iceman for almost a year. In July, the Canadian rapper released the single "What Did I Miss?" and cosplayed as an Iceman Toronto worker. Since then, he's unveiled the Central Cee collab "Which One" and "Dog House" with Yeat and Julia Wolf. Now, he's back with more rollout gimmicks.

On his Instagram Story yesterday (April 19), Drake posted an ominous picture of some ice blocks. Then, Reddit user rocketmunkie shared a photo of ice blocks filling the parking lot next to Bond Place Hotel in Toronto. Confirmation arrived today when Drake posted photos of the ice blocks in the parking lot with the address in the caption, adding, "Release Date Inside." One of the photos depicted him in front of the ice blocks wearing a Green Bay Packers jacket, which some theorize is a jab at Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams, who recently started using the "Iceman" nickname and is looking to trademark it. Fans were at first not allowed to touch the ice, but eventually onlookers were permitted to have access. It seems the ice has still not melted, so... release date TBA.

Meanwhile Drake ruffled some feathers last week when his music video shoot involving a pre-approved explosion rattled residents of North York. It took place at Downsview Park and the park's management team provided advanced notice about the filming on their website and social media, but they still issued an apology afterward: "We understand that the unexpected sounds were alarming and unsettling for many and we are sorry the disruption this may have caused," they wrote.

"While there was never any risk to public safety — and Toronto Police Service and Toronto Fire Services were involved — we recognize that this does not lessen the impact the experience had on those affected," the statement continued.

Last week, Drake also covered his courtside seats at the Scotiabank Arena in ice during the Toronto Raptors season finale.