The rapper Drake has broken his 10-day silence after the fatal shooting of two people at his concert afterparty to offer his condolences and urge others of his generation to value life.
“I am plagued and pained by the violence that continues to escalate in our city,” the Canadian rapper wrote. “I stare into the eyes of so many young people and I wish to see them all shine as bright as they possibly can in this lifetime.”
He wrote that he was advised to refrain from addressing the Aug. 4 shootings publicly, the Toronto Star reports, but said he had to follow his heart.
The shooting took place in Toronto after Drake performed at the OVO Fest, and investigators have yet to solve the murders.
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Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com