Drake's 2018 Vegetarian Announcement
In March 2018, during a high-profile Twitch live stream, Drake made headlines with a casual but significant statement. While discussing a hypothetical pizza, he remarked, "Chicken and pineapple on a pizza could work, but I don't eat meat anymore". The seemingly offhand comment was not the first hint at his dietary shift; earlier that month, he had posted a cryptic Instagram caption: "If two vegans are angry at each other… is it beef?". These public pronouncements led many to believe that the rapper, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, had fully adopted a plant-based diet, if not a strictly vegan one.
The Immediate Aftermath and Public Reaction
News of Drake's dietary change was met with significant media and public interest. Publications like VegNews reported on the development, and animal rights organization PETA even celebrated his decision by sending him a vegan gift basket. The timing of his comments also coincided with other high-profile celebrities, like Beyoncé, embracing plant-based diets, suggesting a wider trend in popular culture towards healthier, more ethical eating. However, his statement did not clarify whether he had adopted a full vegan lifestyle, which would also exclude dairy, eggs, and other animal products, or a simpler vegetarian one. The key takeaway was a public commitment to eschewing meat.
The Entrepreneurial Link: Investing in Veganism
Beyond public statements, Drake solidified his connection to the plant-based movement through business. In May 2021, news broke that Drake had invested in the vegan chicken brand Daring Foods. The company, known for its mission to provide a viable, plant-based chicken alternative, raised $40 million in a funding round that included the rapper.
Drake himself commented on the investment, stating, “I was immediately drawn to the Daring team’s mission to transform how we eat and I am excited to invest in and support a product I enjoy”. This move signaled more than just a fleeting interest in vegetarianism; it indicated a deeper, financial commitment to the burgeoning plant-based food industry. For many fans and industry observers, this action served as concrete evidence that his 2018 statement was a genuine reflection of his evolving lifestyle and beliefs.
The Nuances and Evolving Evidence of Drake's Diet
Despite his public comments and investment, Drake's diet has continued to be a topic of discussion due to conflicting and incomplete reports. Celebrity diets are often shrouded in a mix of public perception, carefully curated social media posts, and paparazzi captures, and Drake's is no different.
- 2020 Birthday Menu: A Vanity Fair article covering his 34th birthday party in 2020 listed a menu that included seafood and poultry, alongside vegetarian dishes like mac and cheese and grilled cauliflower. This led some to question if he was still strictly vegetarian, or perhaps adopted a more flexible, plant-forward approach known as a flexitarian diet.
- 2025 Reports: A Health Digest article from May 2025 reflected on his journey, noting that despite the 2020 birthday menu, his 2024 Twitch mention reaffirmed his vegetarian status. However, the same article also discussed his past trainer, Jonny Roxx, who mentioned Drake cut down on carbs and had previously enjoyed Italian food.
- Investments vs. Personal Habits: It's important to distinguish between Drake's investments and his personal dietary choices. While his investment in Daring Foods is a public fact, it doesn't definitively prove he has maintained a strict, lifelong vegetarian diet without any lapses. Many investors support companies without personally adhering to the lifestyle they represent, though Drake’s comments do suggest a personal interest.
The Impact of Health and Wellness on Drake's Choices
In October 2023, Drake announced a temporary break from music due to health issues related to his stomach. This public health admission adds another layer to the conversation about his diet. Stomach problems are often linked to dietary habits, and it is possible that his adoption of a plant-based diet, or modifications to it, were related to managing these health concerns. A plant-forward diet has been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, which is a major factor in celebrity wellness routines.
A Comparison of Drake's Reported Diet over Time
| Time Period | Reported Diet | Key Supporting Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to 2018 | Varied, including meat | Anecdotal evidence; not a focus of public attention. |
| Early-Mid 2018 | Vegetarian/Vegan | Public statements on Twitch and Instagram; PETA gift basket. |
| Late 2020 | Questioned Flexitarianism | Vanity Fair report on his birthday menu including seafood and poultry. |
| May 2021 | Continues Plant-Based Support | Investment in Daring Foods, a vegan chicken company. |
| October 2023 | Health Issues | Announcement of a music hiatus to focus on stomach health issues. |
| May 2025 | Confirmed Vegetarian Status (2024 mention) | Health Digest article referencing a 2024 Twitch stream confirming he was still vegetarian. |
A Balanced Take on the Rapper's Evolving Diet
Ultimately, whether or not Drake is a vegetarian or has been consistently so is difficult to confirm with 100% certainty due to the ebb and flow of public information. The evidence, however, strongly suggests a significant shift towards a plant-based lifestyle that started around 2018 and has continued in some form, despite some possible variations. His financial support for vegan products further reinforces his public alignment with the movement. It's a journey, not a static declaration, and one that reflects broader trends in wellness and environmental consciousness among high-profile figures. Until a new, definitive statement or reliable report emerges, the most accurate description is that Drake has publicly embraced vegetarianism and maintained strong ties to the plant-based community for several years.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Drake's Diet
Based on his own public statements and strategic business decisions, Drake has identified as vegetarian since 2018. While some conflicting reports have surfaced over the years, his investment in a vegan company and a reported 2024 comment reaffirm his commitment to avoiding meat. The journey may have had its occasional detours, but the overall trajectory points towards a sustained, plant-forward lifestyle.
An Outbound Link for Further Exploration
To learn more about the rise of plant-based diets in the music industry, you can explore reporting from VegNews.
