Drake cancels Australia & New Zealand tour due to scheduling conflicts, fans express frustration

Drake Pulls The Plug On His Australia and New Zealand Tour Dates, Causing Backlash

Drake, the global hip-hop juggernaut, has officially canceled his highly anticipated Australia and New Zealand tour dates. Originally, he postponed it from earlier this year. Therefore, leaving fans Down Under reeling. The announcement, confirmed by Billboard at the end of July, marks a significant setback for the Toronto rapper’s Some Sexy Songs 4 U tour with PartyNextDoor, following his blockbuster Wireless Festival performances in London. Citing scheduling conflicts, Drake’s decision has sparked a wave of disappointment and speculation across social media, with fans on X voicing frustration while others defend the 6 God’s packed 2025 schedule. As reported by outlets like HotNewHipHop and Complex, this cancellation adds another chapter to Drake’s tumultuous year, from his Kendrick Lamar feud to his upcoming Iceman album rollout. This news raises questions about Drake’s next moves and his enduring grip on hip-hop culture.

Drake’s Tour Cancellation: The Details

A few days ago, Billboard broke the news that Drake had canceled his Australia and New Zealand tour dates. Originally, these dates were rescheduled for late this year after earlier postponements. The tour is part of his Some Sexy Songs 4 U promotional run with PartyNextDoor. It was set to include stops in Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland. Posts on X from @billboard and @LePetiteLeRoux amplified the announcement, noting that Ticketek, the official ticketing partner, confirmed the cancellation due to “scheduling conflicts.” Refunds are being processed, but no further dates have been announced. Thus, leaving fans uncertain about when Drake will return to the region.

This isn’t the first hiccup for Drake’s tour plans this year. The Australia and New Zealand leg was initially postponed in February, shortly after the release of Some Sexy Songs 4 U. Then, that smashed streaming records with 92.4 million streams in a single day. Fans had hoped the rescheduled dates would bring Drake’s signature high-energy performances. Therefore, featuring hits like “GIMME A HUG” and “NOKIA,” to their shores. However, the cancellation has fueled speculation about deeper issues, with some X users like @REIB_NEWS suggesting Drake’s focus is on his Iceman album and European commitments. Thus, including his Wireless Festival triple-headline, may have taken priority.

Fan Reactions: Disappointment and Support

The cancellation has elicited mixed reactions from Drake’s fanbase. On X, fans expressed their frustration, with @LePetiteLeRoux tweeting, “Alex play ‘So Be It’ 😢 Drake Officially Cancels Postponed Australia & New Zealand Tour Dates.” Others echoed the sentiment, with comments like “Drake leaving us hanging Down Under is peak 2025 chaos.” Thus, reflecting the disappointment. Australian fans, who haven’t seen Drake perform live since his 2017 Boy Meets World Tour, feel particularly shortchanged. Reddit threads on r/hiphop101 speculate that the cancellation could stem from logistical challenges or Drake’s ongoing legal battles. This includes his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”

Yet, not all fans are upset. Some defend Drake’s decision. Thus, citing his relentless schedule this year. “Drake’s out here headlining Wireless, dropping Iceman singles, and running OVO. Give the man a break,” one user posted on X. Others point to his recent successes, like the No. 7 Billboard Hot 100 debut of his Central Cee collab “WHICH ONE,” as evidence that Drake remains a dominant force. @REIB_NEWS celebrated the track’s chart performance. Therefore, noting it as Drake’s 82nd Top 10 hit, extending his record. The polarized reactions highlight Drake’s ability to spark debate, whether through music or business decisions.

Drake’s 2025: A Year of Highs and Lows

The tour cancellation comes amid a rollercoaster year for Drake. His Some Sexy Songs 4 U collab with PartyNextDoor, released earlier this February, broke Kendrick Lamar’s single-day streaming record. Thus, garnering 92.4 million streams compared to Lamar’s 92.3 million for GNX, per HotNewHipHop. The album, praised for its “More Life vibes,” featured bangers like “GIMME A HUG,” which included a subtle nod to his feud with Lamar. Drake’s Wireless Festival performances in July, where he headlined all three nights—a first in the festival’s history—drew massive crowds and guest appearances from Vybz Kartel, Lauryn Hill, and 21 Savage. His single “What Did I Miss?,” the lead for his upcoming Iceman album, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, though it was blocked from No. 1 by Alex Warren’s TikTok hit “Ordinary.”

Despite these wins, Drake’s 2025 has been marred by challenges. His high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar, which escalated in 2024 with diss tracks like “Not Like Us” and “The Heart Part 6,” continues to cast a shadow. Drake’s lawsuit against UMG, alleging the label artificially boosted “Not Like Us” and defamed him with pedophilia accusations, remains unresolved. Meanwhile, UMG is filing a motion to dismiss in March, per Billboard. The feud’s fallout, including Drake’s “Fighting Irish Freestyle” taking shots at Kendrick, LeBron James, and Lil Wayne, has kept him in the headlines for both music and drama. HipHopDX criticized the freestyle’s “empty” tough talk. Therefore, reflecting mixed reception to Drake’s post-beef output.

The Iceman Rollout and Wireless Triumph

Drake’s cancellation may be tied to his focus on Iceman, his ninth studio album, teased during his Birmingham show last month. “We got a lot to talk about,” he told the crowd. Therefore, hinting at themes of betrayal and disloyalty. The album’s lead single, “What Did I Miss?,” dropped in the beginning of July and addressed his Lamar feud, with lines like, “Last time I looked to my right, you was standing beside me / How can some people I love hang around who try me?” The track’s No. 2 Hot 100 debut and 25.2 million Spotify streams underscore Drake’s commercial prowess. However, Charlamagne Tha God called its gun-heavy video “corny” on The Breakfast Club. A second single, potentially the Central Cee collab “WHICH ONE,” is slated for release soon, per HotNewHipHop.

Drake’s Wireless Festival run, last month, showcased his global appeal. Day 1 focused on R&B. Meanwhile, Day 2 honored London hip-hop with guests like Skepta. Finally, Day 3 previewed “WHICH ONE” with Central Cee. His tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham, walking out to “Iron Man,” added a personal touch, per The New York Times. These moments reinforce Drake’s ability to connect across genres, from hip-hop to dancehall. Therefore, influenced by Vybz Kartel, whom he calls a “biggest inspiration.”

Why the Cancellation Matters

The Australia and New Zealand cancellation isn’t just a logistical blip. Also, it’s a rare misstep for an artist known for meticulous planning. Drake’s history of dominating charts, with 14 Billboard 200 No. 1 albums and 13 Hot 100 No. 1 singles, sets a high bar. His 170 million units sold and records for most Top 10 (81) and Top 40 (217) Hot 100 singles cement his legacy, per the RIAA. Yet, the cancellation, coupled with his UMG lawsuit and Lamar feud, fuels narratives of a “fall-off,” as debated on Reddit’s r/hiphop101. Andscape’s 2024 article questioned Drake’s recovery post-Kendrick. Therefore, citing his alienation of fans with moves like the lawsuit. Thus, perceived as “calling the police” on a Black artist.

For Australian and New Zealand fans, the cancellation stings doubly after years without a Drake tour. The Some Sexy Songs 4 U run was meant to bring his OVO flair to arenas, with PartyNextDoor’s sultry R&B complementing Drake’s pop-rap swagger. The tour’s intimate Australia release party in February, per HotNewHipHop, had built hype. Therefore, making the cancellation a bitter pill. Fans now look to Iceman and potential 2026 dates for redemption.