Drake stages an unexpected 'Degrassi' reunion in his 'I'm Upset' video, and fans are loving it
As all Drake fans know, before Drake was Drake, God’s plan had him playing basketball star Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation. The rapper has not forgotten his roots; he is now delighting fans with a full-on Degrassi reunion in the new video for his single “I’m Upset.”
There’s not much to be upset about in this clip (watch below), which features a mind-boggling slate of cameos from Drake’s former co-stars. All the fun is executed via the cute conceit of the rapper (who was known as Aubrey Graham back then) getting a notification on his phone that his high school reunion is later that day… and we’re off.
He meets up with Gavin “Spinner” Mason (Shane Kippel), and from there it’s a full-on walk down memory lane, as we encounter the class of 2007. Kippel’s cameo is just the tip of the iceberg: Stacey Farber, Adamo Ruggiero, Lauren Collins, Jake Epstein, Christina Schmidt, Nina Dobrev, and even Ephraim Ellis (who shot Drake’s character and put him in a wheelchair) all make appearances.
Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith also turn up as Jay and Silent Bob, and the video ends by rolling credits that juxtapose clips from the video with clips from the original show, as well as the original theme song.
Thanks to @Drake for letting me & @JayMewes go back to @Degrassi one more time in the most transgressive (and expensive) ep of Next Generation ever made! Loved it! But you & Karena melted my heart with the then-&-now cast credits and theme song ending! https://t.co/eYOlNdzDZO
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) June 14, 2018
Social media, of course, exploded with love for this brilliant concept. It seems hundreds of fans were taken right back to all the feels of their tender teenage years.
I don’t know long I’ve been waiting for Drake’s I’m upset video but I know it’s been precisely 8 years, 4 months and 23 days
— Brooke (@b__matson) June 14, 2018
Got hit right in the feels this early in the a.m. cause of the music video to I'm upset by Drake I've been waiting yeaaars for him to do this lol
— Jake From Statefarm (@ItsKjHayes) June 14, 2018
drake i’m upset. damn bought back a lot of good memories
— YUNG LURK LAWD (@MaryJaneMo) June 14, 2018
Drake – I'm Upset (Official Music Video) https://t.co/urcrY7oe98 via @YouTube THE BEST MUSIC VIDEO EVER. GOD BLESS DEGRASSI.
— Jenelle Frances (@jenellewalsh) June 14, 2018
Only thing that bothered me about the Upset video is that Drake wasn’t in a wheel chair! But the ending credits were probably my favorite.
— ♠️ (@AceAceBabii33) June 14, 2018
Drake's song I'm Upset is not my fav, but oh lord this Degrassi video is so funny if you watched the series. Highlights include: Emma fixing Manny's boobs, Jay & Silent Bob selling Mr. Simpson drugs, and the actual theme song for credits. https://t.co/b6i1SBzV6l
— crysta timmerman (@crystatimmerman) June 14, 2018
Drake appeared on 145 episodes of the Canadian TV show from 2001 to 2008. The series has a four-decade run and a long history of tackling serious subjects, including abortion, AIDS, and gun violence, in a straightforward and non-condescending manner for teens to absorb.
Drake’s new album, Scorpion, will be released on June 29.
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