Drake’s recent concert in Sydney has gone viral for unexpected reasons, as a “dystopian” photo from the show at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday night sparked widespread debate online. Instead of the usual signs expressing admiration, fans flooded the arena with bold requests for cash, mortgage payments, luxury handbags, and even engagement rings.
A widely shared image on X (formerly Twitter) showed a sea of concertgoers holding up signs asking the rapper for financial help. Some of the more audacious messages included: “Papi help pay off my mum’s mortgage,” “Help my bf buy me an engagement ring,” and “Need money for my bachelorette party in Ibiza.” One fan even wrote, “Drizzy help him buy my mum a Birkin [handbag].”
The signs on Drake’s tour in AUS 👀 pic.twitter.com/meiPpXHsVW
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 20, 2025
While it’s no secret that Drake has a history of gifting fans money at his concerts, social media users were shocked by the overwhelming number of requests. Just last week in Melbourne, the "God’s Plan" rapper handed a woman in the crowd $25,000 after she held a sign that read “Adonis for President,” a nod to Drake’s seven-year-old son. At his Sydney show, he gave another fan $30,000 after she revealed she was 20 weeks pregnant.
During the concert, Drake called out to the expecting mother, saying, “Get your a out of the pit. Get outta there! Get that baby out of the pit ASAP. Get her some VIP tickets immediately and like, $30,000.”
Despite Drake’s generosity, many online were critical of the trend. One user described the viral image as “one of the most genuinely dystopian photographs I’ve seen in recent months.”
Drake aside (literally replace him with any celeb), this is one of the most genuinely dystopian photographs I’ve seen in recent months https://t.co/4wiG9kFUik
— Kyle (@WordsByKyle) February 20, 2025
Others questioned the logic behind the demands, with one person noting, “Not them acting like it’s a charity event. They were able to afford tickets, they can’t be doing that bad.” Another user joked, “Do they think Drake is Santa?”
Drake rebranded to Santa Clause. 😆
— Soweto Tshepiso (@1SowetoTshepiso) February 19, 2025
Paying God knows how much for tour tickets to beg in the crowd is crazy 😭😭😭
— フーリ (FOOLY URAMESHI) 🤙🏽 (@ChrissaSJE) February 20, 2025
Australia ppl begging and broke 😭
— TEXANS-TEA TV📺 (@TexansTeaTv) February 20, 2025
why is legit every person begging for money😭💀
— Brad (@BradHeat) February 20, 2025
Do they like his music or are they all just there begging for money?
— Cow (@Supersampm) February 20, 2025
With more shows lined up in Sydney and Brisbane before heading to New Zealand, fans are now wondering whether future concerts will bring more extravagant cash giveaways—or if the spectacle of concertgoers asking for handouts will continue to dominate the conversation.
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