Last year, Drake's OVO Fest was funded in part by the Canadian government but word on web is the Toronto rapper didn't get so lucky for the 2015 festivities. J. Cole, Big Sean and Jeremih are slated to headline.
According to Noisey, OVO Fest didn't make the cuts for recipients of the Celebrate Ontario program, which is a grant designed to "enhance programs, activities and services that will lead to long-term improvements. This support helps grow tourism in the province by making it easier for festival and event organizers to offer new and improved experiences that will attract more tourists and increase visitor spending."
Drizzy received $300,000 for the 2014 edition of his annual festival, which he first brought to his hometown in 2010.
According to Boombox, that level of funding put Drake's summer concert financially neck-and-neck with the Toronto International Film Festival, the Stratford Festival and Rogers Cup tennis tournament. Global News also reported that funding for the 2014 OVO Fest was $7,000 more than the 10-day TD Toronto Jazz Festival received and $3,000 more than the 10-day Royal Agricultural Fair was given.
Recipients of this year's grant include Canadian Music Week ($90,000), The Ottawa Jazz Festival ($270,000), NXNE at Yonge-Dundas Square ($247,500), and The Canadian Tulip Festival ($270,000).
In March, Drake announced the lineup for the two-day concert. J. Cole will headline at Toronto's Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on Aug. 2 as a part of his Forest Hills Drive Tour. Cole will be joined by Big Sean, YG, Jeremih, Bas, Cozz and Omen.
So far, Drake is the only act confirmed for Aug. 3, with more "special guests" slated to be added to the bill. Lauryn Hill, Usher, 50 Cent, Trey Songz and Tinashe were among last year's surprise performers.
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