Drake has shared his thoughts on a pivotal moment from his early acting career in the teen drama series, Degrassi: The Next Generation. In a recent documentary titled Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, he reflected on the shocking storyline in which his character, Jimmy Brooks, was left permanently injured following a school shooting incident. This narrative twist came as a surprise to both Drake and his fellow cast members, leaving a profound impact on everyone involved.
During the read-through for the episode titled “Time Stands Still,” Drake was caught off guard by the revelation of the shooting. He explained, “I didn’t know about the end of ‘Time Stands Still’ until I was in the read-through. Somebody told me to mentally prepare for today’s script, but they didn’t tell me there was going to be a shooting at the school and that it was me.” The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, as cast members reportedly held hands and cried together during that session.
Drake described the atmosphere as “dark” and “intense,” expressing his initial reaction to the storyline. “My question was ‘What now? I don’t want to spend the rest of my years in a wheelchair,’” he recounted. “I want to be with everyone else, what do you mean?” Reflecting on the overall experience, he acknowledged that life does not always unfold as one hopes, adding, “Unfortunately, that’s not how life goes.”
The rapper emphasized the significance of the show, stating, “I think that was why I think that show’s so good, because life is f*cked up and they weren’t afraid to let you know that.” The trajectory of his character following the shooting offered him new challenges as an actor. “A lot more went into playing Jimmy after I got shot, for sure. It gave me something to study. It gave me homework,” he remarked.
As for Drake’s current endeavors, he is preparing for the release of his ninth studio album, ICEMAN. While the album does not have an official release date, it is anticipated to debut sometime in 2024. Fans have already received a glimpse of the project through singles like “What Did I Miss?” and “Dog House.”
Drake’s reflections on his experience with Degrassi serve not only as a reminder of his journey from actor to global music sensation but also highlight the lasting impact of the issues addressed in the series. The documentary sheds light on how storytelling can evoke strong emotions and resonate with audiences, both young and old.