Drake Rings in 40 With a Backstreet Boys Surprise — and Joins Them for “I Want It That Way”
Written by Kiss Media on 24 October 2026
Drake just turned 40, and he celebrated the milestone the only way he knows how — with a night nobody in the room will ever forget.
The Toronto superstar threw a massive birthday bash at Casa Cipriani in New York City on Friday night, and right in the middle of the party came a surprise no one saw coming: the Backstreet Boys hit the stage. The legendary boy band, whose late-’90s and early-2000s hits defined a generation, rolled through their classics for the crowd — and Drake couldn’t just watch from the sidelines. As the group walked out, he was visibly overjoyed, exclaiming in disbelief before smiling, laughing, and pointing at his idols. Then he jumped up on stage with them and sang along to “I Want It That Way,” turning a birthday party into a full-on throwback concert. Backstreet Boys member Kevin Richardson later described connecting with Drake beforehand, and the two shared an embrace on the night.
It was the kind of moment that instantly lit up social media, and it capped off a night packed with highlights. Drake delivered an inspiring speech to his guests during the evening, and he shared a toast with DJ Akademiks. Familiar faces including BenDaDonnn, Lena The Plug, and Adam22 were also in the building, making it a true who’s-who of the culture. The party even featured a luxury giveaway and a “Deal or No Deal”-style game with prizes up to $1 million, with Drake emphasizing paying it forward.
The timing couldn’t be better for the 6 God. Just this week, it was revealed that Drake has now racked up 350 million certified RIAA units, with 18 diamond songs and two diamond albums to his name. After a difficult stretch in 2024 and 2025, he has come roaring back in 2026 — and all signs point to him keeping that momentum rolling, with talk of a world tour on the horizon for 2027.
If tonight’s throwback energy has you in a Drake mood, revisit the official video for “God’s Plan” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqRem0W8L8
What do you think of Drake’s 40th birthday bash — and which Backstreet Boys classic would you have wanted to hear live? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and keep the requests coming on the request line at +1 302-357-9831. We want to hear from you, Kiss family!
Source: TMZ and HotNewHipHop
