Drake has publicly stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding fellow Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to grant a pardon following a brutal prison attack on Lanez.
In a recent Instagram story, Drake posted a link to a petition aimed at securing Lanez’s release, adding a short message that read: “Come home soon.”
The petition, now nearing 270,000 signatures, was launched by the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety and argues for a full pardon, citing alleged inconsistencies in evidence and witness testimony from Lanez’s high-profile case involving Megan Thee Stallion.
The renewed attention on Lanez comes in the wake of a horrific incident inside a California correctional facility, where the rapper, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, was reportedly stabbed 14 times by a fellow inmate.
The assault, which occurred on the morning of May 12 at approximately 7:20 a.m. local time, left Lanez with collapsed lungs and multiple stab wounds to his head, back, torso, and face.
Prison staff at the Tehachapi institution administered emergency first aid before Lanez was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Officials from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) have confirmed that he is now able to breathe on his own.
A statement posted to Lanez’s Instagram provided an update on his condition, noting, “Despite being in pain, he is talking normally, in good spirits, and deeply thankful to God that he is pulling through.”
The post detailed the extent of his injuries and revealed that he was temporarily placed on a breathing machine in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
The inmate responsible for the stabbing has been identified as 41-year-old Santino Casio, a prisoner already serving a life sentence for second-degree murder.
Casio, who has a documented history of prison violence, including assault and possession of a deadly weapon, has now been placed in restricted housing while the investigation unfolds.
Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for the 2020 shooting of fellow musician Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Pete.
The shooting occurred as the two were leaving a pool party hosted by Kylie Jenner in Hollywood. The case quickly became one of the most divisive moments in modern hip-hop, splitting fans, artists, and the wider public.
Some figures in the industry—like 50 Cent and Iggy Azalea—publicly advocated for Lanez, with several even writing letters asking for leniency at his sentencing.
Others, however, stood firmly in support of Megan, who described enduring immense public scrutiny and emotional trauma throughout the case.
The conflict even bled into music, notably when Drake and 21 Savage released Circo Loco, a track that appeared to cast doubt on Megan’s version of events.
The lyric in question implied that she fabricated the shooting, prompting Megan to respond on social media. “Stop using my shooting for clout,” she wrote, accusing Drake of mocking a violent incident involving a woman.
The tension between advocacy for Lanez and support for Megan remains a potent fault line in both music and social media discourse.
As the petition for Lanez’s pardon gathers steam, it’s unclear whether Governor Gavin Newsom will take any action.
So far, the governor’s office has not issued a comment regarding the request. The petition highlights questions about trial fairness and alleged missteps in the judicial process, but legal experts note that overturning a conviction through a gubernatorial pardon is a rare and complicated process.
Nonetheless, the petition’s momentum—bolstered by a high-profile endorsement from Drake—has reignited debate about Lanez’s guilt, the nature of celebrity justice, and the dangers of the prison system.
Despite his incarceration and recent attack, Lanez continues to maintain a public presence through social media updates and teases of new music.
Reports suggest that he is planning to release a new album titled Peterson, even while recovering from his injuries behind bars.
With seven US top 10 albums to his name prior to his conviction, Lanez remains a figure of considerable interest in the music industry, albeit now surrounded by intense legal, ethical, and physical challenges.
Whether Drake’s public appeal will influence Lanez’s legal fate is uncertain—but it has undeniably reignited attention on one of the most controversial cases in recent hip-hop history.
