Drake is showing public support for fellow Canadian artist Tory Lanez, taking to the gram to share a personal message and a petition calling for Lanez’s release.
On Friday (May 16), the For All the Dogs rapper posted a brief but powerful message on his Story:
“@torylanez come home soon.”
Alongside the post, Drake shared a Change.org petition urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon Lanez.
Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted on three felony charges related to the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Despite the verdict, Lanez and his supporters maintain his innocence and continue to push for a retrial based on newly surfaced evidence.
The petition, which Lanez himself also reposted on Instagram, follows a press conference held on May 14 by United the People—a nonprofit committed to criminal justice reform. During the event, attorney Walter Roberts argued that Lanez was wrongfully convicted, stating:
“Mr. Peterson never shot anybody. Never even touched the gun.”
The nonprofit also pointed to Megan Thee Stallion’s former best friend, Kelsey Harris, as the alleged shooter, raising questions about inconsistencies in the original trial. Conservative commentator Gianno Caldwell, who’s joined the call for Lanez’s release, added:
“Mr. Peterson was never given a fair trial, free from bias.”
A recent violent incident behind bars has compounded Lanez’s legal challenges. On May 12, he was reportedly stabbed 14 times during an altercation with another inmate identified as Santino Casio. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed the attack and issued a statement saying:
“Staff immediately responded, activated 911 and began medical aid. Peterson was subsequently transported to an outside medical facility for further treatment.”
Lanez’s father, Sonstar Peterson, spoke to the press shortly after the incident to provide an update on his son’s condition.
“They took out the tubes that were draining the fluids from his lungs,” he explained on May 13. “They said he is recovering remarkably. All that is left is healing from the wounds.”
The combined public support—from fans, celebrities like Drake, and advocacy groups—marks a new chapter in the high-profile case. As the petition gains momentum, Lanez’s legal team is preparing to leverage fresh evidence in hopes of securing a second chance at justice.
Whether the courts or Governor Newsom will respond remains to be seen. But for now, Drake and Lanez’s supporters’ message is loud and clear: this fight is far from over.