Drake got the ultimate throwback surprise for his 40th birthday when the Backstreet Boys took the stage at his lavish New York City celebration — and the rapper’s reaction showed just how much the moment meant to him.
Video from the party shows Drake lighting up as the legendary boy band appeared, exclaiming, “Oh my God,” before smiling, laughing and pointing excitedly at the performers.
But the surprise did not end with a front-row view. Drake eventually joined the group to sing its iconic hit “I Want It That Way,” turning his milestone birthday into an unexpected boy-band moment.
The celebration took place Friday night at Casa Cipriani in New York City, where, according to sources cited by TMZ, Drake welcomed more than 400 friends and family members for the occasion.
In another video obtained by TMZ, Backstreet Boys member Kevin Richardson discussed how he connected with Drake ahead of the performance. The rapper was also seen embracing members of the group.
For a star known for his hip-hop hits, getting the chance to sing alongside one of pop music’s most recognizable groups made for a memorable birthday highlight.
And the Backstreet Boys were only part of the night’s extravagant entertainment.
Drake reportedly arranged luxury giveaways for guests, including designer handbags from Chanel and Hermès. He also organized a game-show-style competition inspired by Deal or No Deal, with cash prizes ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to a top prize of $1 million.
The rapper also spoke about the importance of paying it forward in another clip from the celebration, tying the evening’s generous prizes to a message about giving back.
The combination of surprise performances, luxury gifts and high-stakes prizes made the party a major production rather than a typical celebrity birthday dinner.
Still, the Backstreet Boys moment delivered one of the night’s most entertaining scenes. Drake’s visibly excited reaction, followed by his decision to sing along to “I Want It That Way,” showed him embracing the kind of nostalgic pop moment that transcends musical genres.
At 40, Drake celebrated with a party that mixed star power, serious prizes and a boy-band classic. And judging by his reaction when the Backstreet Boys walked onstage, that surprise was worth the wait.
