Drake spent weeks dropping cryptic clues about his mysterious Fear of Missing Out project, but one of the biggest hints was hiding in plain sight right here in Toronto. Earlier this month, we talked about a possible CNE clue in Drake’s FOMO Insta announcement: the rapper included a Ferris wheel emoji in the post just days after he was seen filming at the Ex dressed as Iron Man.
Drake finally premiered FOMO on Tuesday night. The project turned out to be an hour-long “not-so-short film” that mixed music videos, unreleased tracks, cameos and scenes from his summer. The livestream began shortly after 10:30 p.m. following a delay, and aired across YouTube, Spotify and Apple, but if you missed it, you may be experiencing some real FOMO: the YouTube stream was set to private after the premiere.
Toronto was practically a co-star throughout the film, with Drake popping up at some of the city’s most recognizable summer attractions, restaurants and landmarks. Here are eight of the most Toronto moments you might have missed.
1. Drake finally explains that Iron Man appearance at the CNE
Last month, Drake appeared at the CNE alongside rapper Loe Shimmy, with the pair dressed as Iron Man and War Machine as part of the visual for “I’m Spent.” Footage of Drake wandering around the Ex in the superhero suit circulated online well before the FOMO visuals were released, so when Drake dropped a Ferris wheel emoji into his FOMO Insta teaser, the connection was obvious!
And because, well, Drake, the “I’m Spent” sequence includes an accountant questioning a pair of super expensive suit purchases before the film cuts to Drake and Loe Shimmy walking around the fairgrounds in superhero gear.
2. Drake takes FOMO out onto Lake Ontario
The film includes footage of Drake boating across Lake Ontario, something fans had already caught glimpses of while he was filming along Toronto’s waterfront in the days leading up to the premiere.
A version of the speedboat scene also appeared in the official FOMO teaser, with Drake steering across the water while a voiceover talks about risk, love and choosing how to live your life.
3. Canada’s Wonderland gets the Drake treatment
FOMO shows Drake at Canada’s Wonderland, taking in the rides and doing one of the GTA’s most familiar warm-weather rituals: grabbing a funnel cake. The Wonderland footage appears in the visual for his Don Toliver collaboration, “Cold Shoulder.”
4. The Real Jerk makes a comeback
One of the film’s best Toronto callbacks comes courtesy of The Real Jerk, the east-end Caribbean restaurant that appeared in Rihanna and Drake’s 2016 “Work” video! Drake returns to the restaurant in FOMO, nearly a decade after the Gerrard Street spot became instantly recognizable to music fans around the world.
5. Drake’s mom gets a Harbour 60 outing
Drake isn’t the only member of the Graham family getting a Toronto moment. His mother, Sandi Graham, appears during a sequence set to “True Bestie,” spending time with a group of longtime friends before they head for dinner at Harbour 60, Toronto’s lavish downtown steakhouse. The sequence is pretty touching: Graham’s friends reminisce about Drake’s childhood and even discuss what they thought he should have been named.
6. Medieval Times makes it into the film
During FOMO’s “Princess” sequence, streamer Pinkchyu judges a parade of Drake outfits before eventually approving an all-black look, and portions of the visual appear to have been shot inside Medieval Times Toronto! The Toronto castle at 10 Dufferin St. is the only Medieval Times location in Canada.
7. Drake complains about his Toronto phone service
At one point during FOMO, Drake pulls out his phone and complains about his Rogers service (this is perhaps the most universally Toronto moment in the whole film).
8. FOMO ends by taking Drake back to “Hotline Bling”
Near the end, Drake appears inside a set resembling the colourful rooms from the 2015 “Hotline Bling” video before climbing a stepladder and disappearing as the credits begin. The original “Hotline Bling” video was directed by Toronto’s Director X and filmed in Toronto!
The Toronto sightseeing wasn’t the only news to come out of FOMO night. Drake also confirmed that he plans to return to the road in 2027 for a worldwide tour. No dates have been announced yet, but with this much advance notice, fans shouldn’t experience FOMO anytime soon.
