'I'm so international!' Drake set to star alongside Ashley Walters in upcoming Top Boy series.... after buying the show's rights from Channel 4
He has always shown an active interest in the UK grime scene.
And Drake is now set to star in gritty British TV drama Top Boy, after he bought the rights to the show last year.
The first two popular London-based series aired from 2011 to 2013 on Channel 4, and starred the likes of Ashley Walters- formerly Asher D of So Solid crew, and rapper Kano.
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'Top boy in this s**t, I'm so international': Drake is now set to star in gritty British TV drama Top Boy, after he bought the rights to the show last year (pictured with Ashley Walters -left)
Speaking to The Mirror, 34-year-old Ashley, who played main character Dushane, revealed they are in talks after meeting last week.
'We met up to start talking about the show and we are working out a role for him', he explained.
Praising the 30-year-old rapper for being down-to-earth despite his superstar status, Ashley added: 'He loves acting, of course he wanted a part. He's going to be really hands on and is getting stuck into it.
Gritty: The first two popular London-based series aired from 2011 to 2013 on Channel 4, and starred the likes of Ashley Walters- formerly Asher D of So Solid crew, and rapper Kano
London scene: A third series of Top Boy with Ashley (middle) and Kano (right)- also starring Skepta, is expected to air on Netflix in 2018 and is set to feature Drake
Drake has long been a fan of Top Boy after it was picked up by Netflix, and first shared his love for the drama in a series of tweets and Instagram posts in 2014.
'@AshleyWalters82 is too incredible!! Everybody on Top Boy gives such incredible performances. That show is just too good,' he tweeted at the time.
'Shouts to @Drake for posting about Top Boy this morning! Its positive to see that the rest of the world is learning about UK street culture,' dedicated family man Ashley Walters responded, marking the start of a budding friendship.
Drake- real name Aubrey Drake Graham, then gave the series a shout-out in his 2015 hit Know Yourself, rapping: 'Top boy in this s**t, I'm so international'.
His Netflix fave: Drake has long been a fan of Top Boy after it was picked up by Netflix, and first shared his love for the drama in a series of tweets and Instagram posts in 2014
'Top boy getting waved with the man dem': Drake gave the series a shout-out in his 2015 hit Know Yourself, rapping: 'Top boy in this s**t, I'm so international'
'@AshleyWalters82 is too incredible!! Everybody on Top Boy gives such incredible performances. That show is just too good,' Drake tweeted in 2014
Ashley previously hinted to Complex that Drake would be picking up the series after it was dropped by Channel 4, revealing: 'Drake is involved. He's coming on board to help and try and push the situation forward.
'We'll see what happens! I've gone through having empty promises, and I've always relied on myself. I take whatever anyone says with a pinch of salt, but hopefully it will work out.'
Drake has long been a fan of the UK music and TV scene, frequently promoting grime artist Skepta on his Instagram, as well at one point being rumoured to have signed up with Skepta and JME's British music label Boy Better Know.
The Canadian rapper brought UK rapper Skepta out to perform hit Shutdown during his 2015 Wireless appearance, and the song begins with a sample of Drake saying 'Truss Mi Daddy'.
Inked: The Hotline Bling star has been pictured wearing Boy Better Know T-shirts, even has a BBK tatttoo (seen on Skepta's Instagram)
Repping: Drake (pictured) frequently promotes grime artist Skepta, as well at one point being rumoured to have signed up with Skepta and JME's British music label Boy Better Know
The Hotline Bling star has been pictured wearing Boy Better Know T-shirts, even has a BBK tatttoo and frequently refers to the label in his songs, as well as being a fan of UK fashion label favourite Stone Island.
He has also appeared on stage with Section Boyz, and recently featured grime king Giggs on songs No Long Talk and KMT from new album More Life.
A third series of Top Boy- also starring Skepta, is expected to air on Netflix in 2018.
US to the UK: The Canadian rapper brought UK rapper Skepta out to perform hit Shutdown during his 2015 Wireless appearance, and the song begins with a sample of Drake saying 'Truss Mi Daddy'
Pictured partying in London recently: Drake features grime king Giggs (pictured top left) on songs No Long Talk and KMT from new album More Life
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