Drake celebrated his 40th birthday with an extravagant party in New York City on October 23, bringing together more than 400 friends and family members for an evening that featured luxury gifts, cash prizes and a surprise performance by the Backstreet Boys. The rapper joined the group onstage to sing their iconic 1999 hit “I Want It That Way.”
Held at Casa Cipriani in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building, the exclusive celebration featured an impressive lineup of guests, including Future, French Montana, Offset, Jack Harlow, Swizz Beatz, Trey Songz and DJ Akademiks. Attendees were treated to designer gifts from Chanel and Hermès, while a game-show-style competition inspired by Deal or No Deal offered cash prizes.
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The biggest surprise came when the Backstreet Boys appeared to perform “I Want It That Way.” Drake was invited to join the group, with whom he shares a history dating back to their 2022 Toronto show, when they welcomed him onstage and jokingly called him their “sixth member.”
The Backstreet Boys’ appearance also carried a personal connection for Drake. He has previously spoken about the significance of “I Want It That Way,” recalling how the song played at his bar mitzvah and helped him feel more socially confident. Their reunion onstage turned the celebration into more than a conventional celebrity birthday party, bringing a meaningful part of his past into the festivities.
Beyond the performances and extravagant giveaways, Drake used the occasion to deliver a reflective speech about the reason for bringing everyone together. Addressing the crowd, he emphasized that the night was not intended to celebrate another commercial achievement or career milestone.
“Tonight is not about a tour, or album release or a bunch of videos we shot, or a fragrance or a Nike shoe,” he told the guests. “Tonight is just about being alive, staying alive.”
The timing coincided with a historic milestone for his music career. On October 23, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded Drake additional certifications that pushed his total beyond 350 million certified units in the United States, making him the first artist to reach that figure. His latest achievements include Diamond certifications for Views, “Marvins Room” and “In My Feelings,” while “God’s Plan” became the first solo hip-hop song to earn a Double Diamond certification.
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