Drake is ready to look again on the present that helped make him a star effectively earlier than his rap profession took off.
The Toronto rapper will seem within the upcoming documentary Degrassi: No matter It Takes, which is ready to premiere on the fiftieth Toronto Worldwide Movie Pageant later this 12 months.
Directed by Lisa Rideout, the movie’s synopsis on the TIFF web site reads: “Creators, superfans, and stars together with Aubrey Drake Graham delve deep into all issues Degrassi on this partaking historical past of the Canadian present that modified teen TV.”
Then often known as Aubrey Graham, Drake starred in 145 episodes of Degrassi: The Subsequent Era between 2001 and 2009 as Jimmy Brooks. His character turned one of many extra memorable when he was shot within the again and paralyzed from the waist down throughout a faculty capturing on the present, leaving Jimmy in a wheelchair for the rest of Drake’s time within the solid.
Based on one of many present’s writers, Drake himself wasn’t too into that particular storyline from the start. Throughout an oral historical past for the present’s twentieth anniversary again in 2021, author James Hurst informed the AV Membership that they allegedly acquired a letter from a legislation agency in Toronto saying that Drake wouldn’t return for the sixth season if his character’s life-altering damage wasn’t healed.
“There was a letter from a legislation agency in Toronto, and it was from Aubrey,” Hurst informed AV Membership. “It was an odd letter that stated, ‘Aubrey Graham is not going to return to Degrassi season 6 as Jimmy Brooks until his damage is healed, and he’s out of the wheelchair.’ I stated, ‘Get him down right here.’ He got here in and was like, ‘What letter? I don’t learn about that.’ And I stated, ‘All proper, I perceive. However how do you’re feeling concerning the wheelchair?’ He’s like, ‘All my pals within the rap recreation say I’m tender as a result of I’m in a wheelchair.’ And I stated, ‘Nicely, inform your folks within the rap recreation that you simply acquired shot. How a lot more durable are you able to get? You bought shot, and also you’re in a wheelchair.’”
Hurst then added that Drake ultimately modified his thoughts. “He was so good and apologetic about every part. He immediately backed down,” he continued. “I used to be very captivated with it, and I stated, ‘Aubrey, there’s some child someplace in a wheelchair, who’s utterly ignored, who’s by no means on tv, by no means will get represented. I would like you to signify this individual. You’re the best child on the present, and you’ll say there’s nothing incorrect with being in a wheelchair.’”
Showtimes for the Degrassi: No matter It Takes documentary at TIFF must be introduced by Aug. 12.
