Drake receives key to Shelby County: 'We only give that to our own that we love here'

Memphis-rooted rap star Drake may have postponed his planned concert this week at FedExForum, but he was in town to visit family and receive an honorary key to Shelby County on Monday.

During an informal presentation at Midtown restaurant and nightclub Railgarten, Shelby County Commission Chairman Mickell Lowery presented Drake with the ceremonial honor.

In a video posted to his Facebook page, Lowery made a brief speech alongside the four-time Grammy-winning, multiplatinum rap-pop superstar, as he handed him a framed declaration and key.

“In Memphis here, as you know, we love our own,” Lowery said. “Drake — we always say Memphis music touches the world and you’ve got a lot of Memphis blood in you, and you’re definitely touching the world.”

Lowery continued: “We know you got Grammys, all these plaques and all these awards ... but not everybody has a key to the county of Shelby County. We only give that to our own that we love here.”

As Drake — clad in a pair of vintage Memphis State basketball shorts and a T-shirt that read “The Famous Cousin" — stood smiling, Lowery handed him the plaque.

“We appreciate the music, appreciate you putting Memphis all in your music and on the map. So on behalf of Shelby County … we want to make sure you have a key to our county to go with all the many other awards you have. But this one should be close to your heart because this is from the 901.”

Born Aubrey Drake Graham, Drake’s dad is Memphis drummer Dennis Graham (who played with Jerry Lee Lewis, among others). His uncles include Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham and late Hi Rhythm guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges.

Although he was raised by his mother in Toronto’s affluent Forest Hill section — where he was a successful child actor on “DeGrassi: The Next Generation” for eight seasons — Drake’s musical education came in the Bluff City, where he spent his summers with his father.

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Drake noted of the Bluff City that, “It’s really the first place I discovered what I love about music, which was the soul, the melody and the message in the lyrics.”

Fans of the rapper had hoped to shower Drake with some hometown love this week. But over the weekend, Drake’s FedExForum show, originally scheduled for June 29, was rescheduled to Aug. 6. No details were provided on why the show was rescheduled.

Drake's 50-plus date It’s All A Blur Tour is his first tour in five years. The Memphis show will mark his first concert appearance in the Bluff City since 2012.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Drake received a key to Shelby County, Tennessee: Here's why