Was Top Boy made by Drake? Everything we know about the Canadian rapper’s involvement in hit Netflix crime drama

The final season of Netflix show Top Boy has finally had its release date confirmed, as the trailer for the 10-part series also dropped.

The gritty British drama has been a huge hit for the streaming giant since its debut on the platform in 2019.

However, were it not for the intervention of Canadian rapper Drake, the show’s production might have never happened.

So, did Drake actually make Top Boy? And is he in it?

Read on to find out more.  

Superfan: Drake was involved in reviving the drama in 2017 after reaching out to the show’s creators

Was Top Boy made by Drake?

While Drake did not make Top Boy, he was crucial in it getting as far as becoming a Netflix hit.

The show was originally a Channel 4 creation, and had two successful four-part series between 2011 and 2013, before being cancelled. 

Its creator Ronan Bennet said that he ‘wasn’t able to shake off’ the knock, but amazingly was approached by Drake himself as he expressed an interest in helping revive the programme.

Bennet said to BAFTA Television’s The Sessions: ‘When I heard that Drake was interested I didn’t pay it a lot of mind, partly because I didn’t know who he was.

‘It wasn’t until I met him a bit later that it became clear he was serious and we really had a chance of going forward.

‘I realised maybe it turns out he’s quite big. We met him in London, myself and my colleagues, he was great.’ 

But the Hotline Bling singer ‘didn’t want to control it, just to ensure that the original creators could have the chance to carry on as they were.

However, he did become an executive producer of the show when it was picked up in 2017.

The artist told the Hollywood Reporter at the time: ‘That human element drew me in. I started just looking them up.

‘Like, who are these people? Are these actors I should know? Are they just famous over there? I remember I hit Future, and I was just like, “This show is incredible.”‘

Is Drake in Top Boy?

Renaissance: Top Boy initially had two four-part series air on Channel 4, but was dropped by the broadcaster. Netflix picked it up four years later

Rumours: Since news broke of Drake’s involvement in the show as Executive Producer, there have been questions about a potential cameo, but no sign of such a thing coming to fruition. Pictured: Rapper turned actor Kano as Sully

Since Drake’s involvement in the series’ production, there have been rumours and questions about whether he will make some kind of cameo.

The rapper began an acting career in the 2000s as a teenager in Degrassi: The Next Generation, before his music career took over.

However, in 2022 he made another acting appearance, in Amsterdam with Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and Anya Taylor-Joy.

But when it comes to his beloved Top Boy there is no sign that the megastar will be making an appearance.

Ashley Walters, who has played Dushane – one of the show’s leads – since its inception on Channel 4, revealed why he warned the singer against a TV appearance.

He told Charlie Sloth in 2019: ‘He’s such a good actor but will people let him shed that Drake skin? 

‘Is it right for the first thing for him to do going back into his acting career be? Because people are gonna be waiting to kill him for it.’

When is Top Boy season 3?

Netflix’s third and final Top Boy installment is due on September 7.

The final trailer for the new season dropped on August 14, as well as the confirmation of the new season’s release date.

The one minute 45 second clip teased an ultimate showdown between the two main characters Sully (Kano) and Dushane.