Drake to play Dubai

The rapper is making his Middle Eastern debut with a show at the Dubai International Stadium.

Drake will play at the Dubai International Stadium on March 14. Al Powers / Powers Imagery / Invision / AP

Canadian superstar Drake is performing in Dubai in March.

The rapper, real name Aubrey Drake Graham, is making his Middle Eastern debut with a show at the Dubai International Stadium on March 14 with tickets going on sale from 10am on Wednesday, January 21.

The 28-year old is presently the hottest rapper in the game courtesy of three successful and critically acclaimed albums with hits including Best I Ever Had, Headlines, Take Care and Make Me Proud.

Born in Toronto, Drake had his first brush with fame in the cult teen television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, where he played the role of the disabled teen Jimmy Brooks.

Drake’s seven year stint on the show didn’t take him away from his first artistic love of hip-hop, however, during the time he self released his debut 2006 mixtape Room for Improvement, featuring fellow up and comers Trey Songz and Lupe Fiasco.

Despite the rough and disjointed nature of the release, introspective gems such as Thrill is Gone and Come Winter hinted as his undeniable lyrical gifts.

The success of a further two mixtapes was enough to convince rapper Lil Wayne to sign him up to his Young Money Entertainment Label.

Drake's anticipated debut EP So Far Gone was eventually out in 2009 around the same time he wisely chose to end his 138 episode stint with Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Since then it has been increasing returns with three albums clocking millions in sales, a grammy Award for his latest 2013 release Nothing Was The Same, in addition to swiftly moving on from club shows to arena dates.

The success, however, didn't come without controversy. In February last year Drake lashed out at Rolling Stone magazine for replacing him on the front cover with the late actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Criticised by fans and the press for the insensitive remarks, Drake was forced to issue a swift online apology.

Drake is also presently involved in a hip-hop love triangle with Chris Brown over their joint romantic interest Rihanna. It’s a feud that erupted in a bar fight in a New York City in 2012 and there is nothing to suggest the beef has been quashed.

With a new tour, including a headlining slot at the mammoth Coachella Festival in April, in addition to the new album Views From the 6 to be released later this year, Drake’s Dubai stopover forms part of his big plans for 2015.

Tickets begin from Dh320 and go on sale from January 21 at 10am. For details go to www.timeouttickets.com