CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Drake's highly awaited 'It's All a Blur' tour took off in grand fashion on Wednesday night, July 5, in the vibrant city of Chicago, setting the stage for an unforgettable series of performances. However, amidst the excitement, a regrettable incident unfolded, once again highlighting the distressing trend of audience misconduct.
The multitalented artist, known for his chart-topping hits like 'Certified Lover Boy' encountered an unexpected hindrance when a cell phone was recklessly hurled onto the stage, making him the latest victim of unruly audience behavior. The incident occurred as Drake, 36, passionately delivered a captivating rendition of Ginuwine's 'So Anxious'.
Rising trend of on-stage attacks raises concerns for artists' safety and well-being
With a jarring thud against Drake's wrist, the phone found its way into the performer's path before landing on the ground. Fortunately, Drake emerged unscathed from the encounter, demonstrating his unwavering professionalism and dedication to his craft as he continued to enthrall the crowd during the opening concert of his much-anticipated four-month-long tour.
Sadly, this incident is part of a growing trend that has witnessed other prominent artists falling prey to similar acts of audience misbehavior. Harry Styles, for instance, found himself on the receiving end of an airborne Skittle during one of his recent performances. Such occurrences have become distressingly frequent, leaving artists vulnerable to unexpected disruptions.
In the case of Bebe Rexha, the consequences were more severe. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter endured a distressing moment when a cell phone was callously thrown at her, striking her in the face. The impact resulted in a black eye and necessitated three stitches to mend the resulting cut. The individual responsible for this thoughtless act was subsequently apprehended and charged with assault.
While Bebe admirably returned to the stage following the incident, she now takes precautionary measures to protect herself during performances. Wearing protective goggles, she valiantly continues to share her musical talent with fans, refusing to let the actions of a few tarnish her passion and commitment.
'These fans just don’t learn...!'
However, as Drake's tour unfolds, internet users were left furious by the questionable incident. One user tweeted, "Nah man what’s up with this trend of paying to assault artists." Another added, "They gone be putting up nets at concerts real soon." A third added, "Fans need to stop this." A fourth claimed, "People finished with culture." A fifth added, "These fans just don’t learn…" "The things that some fans would do to meet him?" read a tweet. "He was initially pissed but suddenly realized he gets to keep the phone," claimed a tweet.