Drake is one of the biggest names in music today. The Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur has dominated the charts for over a decade now. With hits like “God’s Plan,” “In My Feelings,” and “Hotline Bling” under his belt, Drake has cemented himself as a massive force in pop culture.
But how much does Drake actually make per show? As one of the most in-demand live performers today, Drake’s asking price per concert is understandably very high. In this article, we’ll break down exactly how much money Drake rakes in per live performance. From arena tours to festival sets to private shows, we’ll uncover what Drizzy’s paychecks look like.
Drake’s Live Performance Fee
As with most A-list musicians, Drake does not have one set fee he charges for every single performance. His booking fee can vary greatly depending on the type of event he is playing. The fee is usually determined by factors like:
- Whether it is a private event or public concert
- If it is an exclusive one-off show or part of a larger tour
- The size/capacity of the venue
- If it is a festival show or solo concert
- The promoter organizing the event
That said, reports have estimated Drake’s average asking price for a live concert appearance is $1 million. This seven-figure fee is what Drake charges on average to do a single set at a large-scale music festival or similar event.
However, that number can balloon up much higher when it comes to solo arena tours and private performances. Let’s take a closer look at how much Drake has earned from some of his biggest live gigs.
Highest Grossing Tours
When Drake heads out on a major arena concert tour, his nightly take rises significantly. His highest-grossing tour to date is the Aubrey & The Three Amigos Tour with Migos in 2018. This 44-date North American tour reportedly grossed over $79 million in revenue.
Aubrey & The Three Amigos Tour Setlist
Leg | Date | Venue | City |
---|---|---|---|
North America Leg 1 | July 26, 2018 | SAP Center | San Jose, CA |
North America Leg 1 | July 28, 2018 | Rogers Arena | Vancouver, BC |
North America Leg 1 | July 31, 2018 | STAPLES Center | Los Angeles, CA |
North America Leg 1 | August 4, 2018 | Coliseum | Oakland, CA |
With average ticket prices hovering around $130 each, this tour grossed approximately $620,000 per night from ticket sales alone. That translates to around $27.3 million in revenue for Drake’s 44 sets on the tour.
Factoring in merchandise sales and Drake’s huge cut from the overall pot, his estimated take-home per show from this tour was likely upwards of $750,000.
Drake’s Residency at XS Nightclub
From January to May in 2019, Drake did a residency at the Las Vegas nightclub XS. He performed a set roughly once a month for a total of five shows. These appearances were more intimate performances, with ticket prices starting at $200 per person.
While exact numbers aren’t known, nightclub residencies can be extremely lucrative. Industry experts estimate Drake likely took home somewhere between $1-2 million per set from this residency. The prime Vegas club spots pay massive sums for top-tier artists to perform exclusive limited engagements.
Private Performances
This is where Drake’s performance fee really enters uncharted territory. When he does private shows for high-paying clients, corporate events, and the like, the sky’s the limit.
A now-legendary private show Drake did in 2014 gives you an idea of what the upper end looks like. Drake reportedly made $2 million for performing at the Bar Mitzvah of the son of an American real estate mogul.
For the highest of high-rollers, Drake can make as much as $3-4 million for an ultra-exclusive private concert. Whether it’s a star-studded private party or lucrative one-off gig, Drake’s private show rate puts his public appearance fees to shame.
Music Festival Appearances
Music festivals represent a very different live performance format for Drake. While still extremely lucrative, his payouts for playing major festivals are considerably less than a solo arena tour or private show.
Let’s look at what Drake got paid for some of his biggest festival bookings:
Drake’s Music Festival Appearance Fees
Festival | Date | Fee |
---|---|---|
Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival | November 10, 2019 | $2 million |
Wireless Festival | July 8, 2017 | $1.8 million |
GQ Men of the Year Festival | September 7, 2019 | $1 million |
OVO Fest | August 5, 2018 | $500,000 (headliner) |
While certainly nothing to sneeze at, Drake’s festival appearance fees are a fraction of what he gets for a private event or solo tour. He’s willing to take lower rates in exchange for reaching new audiences and getting brand exposure. But rest assured, Drake still earns a monster payday for his work at the biggest festivals worldwide.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
We’ve mainly looked at Drake’s live performance payouts so far. But in addition to touring and shows, Drake earns big through various business ventures and endorsements. Some of his most lucrative deals include:
- Nike collaboration – Earned $19 million in royalties in 2018
- Toronto Raptors “Global Ambassador” – $40 million over 4 years
- Apple Music radio show – $19 million per year for exclusivity rights
- Virginia Black Whiskey – Earned $40 million after selling stake in 2016
- Sprite endorsement – $1.5 million per year from 2013-2014
Drake’s business empire spans from fashion to liquor to sports. His branding power translates to massive checks outside of music as well. Drake’s $100 million net worth is not just from album sales and streaming numbers. His plethora of corporate partnerships and smart investments are a huge part of his wealth.
How Much Is a Drake Feature Worth?
Drake is also one of the most sought-after featured artists in the music industry. His distinctive vocals and bars are highly coveted by other artists for their tracks. So how much does Drake charge to get on a song?
Reports indicate that Drake charges $100,000 – $250,000 for a feature verse, depending on the artist. Lesser-known acts are likely on the lower end of that scale. Established artists like DJ Khaled and Lil Wayne shell out upwards of $200,000 to land a Drake feature.
For huge posse cuts with multiple stars, Drake’s fee for a guest verse may be closer to $75,000-$100,000. The more artists involved, the lower his individual rate becomes. Overall though, Drake’s name doesn’t come cheap. Six-figure paychecks for a 16-bar verse are the norm.
Conclusion
Drake is a live performance giant, with unmatched versatility across tours, festivals, and private events. His fee ranges from hundreds of thousands to multi-millions per show. On top of eight-figure payouts from Apple, Nike, and endorsements, Drake is a certified cash cow.
Very few artists can even ballpark Drake’s income. He can demand exorbitant rates thanks to his loyal fans, streaming dominance, and hit-making ability. As Drake heads into his mid-30s, expect his empire and net worth to keep growing.