After a tumultuous day following Drake’s installation of a large cluster of ice blocks in a downtown Toronto parking lot, a man claims to have discovered the much sought-after release date of Drake’s upcoming album. A streamer named Kishka seemingly located a hidden blue folder within one of the ice blocks on Tuesday afternoon, unveiling that “Iceman” is scheduled to be released on May 15. Subsequently, during a live stream, he was handed a bag of money. Drake officially confirmed the date on his social media account later that Tuesday.
Previously, the Toronto rapper had shared images of the icy installation on Instagram, along with the coordinates to its location and a hint about the release date being inside. Locals flocked to the structure, taking pictures and videos while speculating about when the ice would melt to reveal the album drop date.
Videos surfaced showing individuals atop the ice tower, using sledgehammers to chip away at the ice or attempting to melt it with blowtorches. Some even lit fires on the ice and placed a keyboard on it. According to Laura Brabant, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, officers were called to the scene at the Bond Street and Dundas Street intersection after reports of people standing on the installation. While no injuries were reported, falling ice posed a risk to those present, prompting police to set up metal barricades around the site for safety.
The spectacle of the ice pile quickly gained online attention, with numerous individuals live streaming from the location and sharing images on social media. Canadian influencer Zachery Dereniowski, with over nine million Instagram followers, posted a video of himself on the ice pile, tossing car keys into the blocks and announcing that whoever found them would win a car. He later gifted the car to a fan who discovered the keys.
This ice installation is part of a series of attention-grabbing promotions for Drake’s album. Previously, a fiery explosion lit up the sky over Downsview Park, which Drake later shared on his Instagram Story. Additionally, during a Toronto Raptors game, Drake’s usual courtside seats at Scotiabank Arena were encased in ice, creating a viral moment.
Despite the excitement surrounding the ice pile, some onlookers expressed mixed feelings about the build-up to “Iceman.” While some viewed it as innovative marketing, others found it underwhelming, likening it to an extended countdown. Nevertheless, the towering ice blocks succeeded in bringing people together, fostering interactions among Toronto residents and content creators.
Visitors to the site were required to show identification to confirm they were over 18 before being allowed to approach the installation. A notice also cautioned against touching the ice blocks, though some disregarded the warning.
