Drake Shines as ESPY Host, Spoofs Beef With Chris Brown

Many were skeptical when it was announced that Drake would be hosting the ESPYs, and now that the night is over is over the actor-turned-rapper-turned-host proved that he is a man of many talents.

During the opening monologue, Drake tackled some of the hottest and most controversial topics in sports, including LeBron James going back to Cleveland (“Do you know what $40 million buys you in Cleveland? Cleveland!”), Richard Sherman “piss[ing] off more white people this year than a crowded parking lot at Whole Foods,” and Donald Sterling being banned from the NBA.

“In fact we’re just a couple 100 yards from Staples Center, which also happens to be as close as Donald Sterling is allowed to get,” Drake said before the camera cut to Blake Griffin with a very awkward look on his face.

Throughout the night he also managed to take a jab at Macklemore and V. Stiviano in two original songs called “Honorable Mentions” and “Side Pieces.”

“KD, I know you hear me. I know you understand me. Real winners don’t always win championships and real music doesn’t always win a Grammy,” Drake sang to Kevin Durant as Macklemore appeared on the screen behind him.

Brian McKnight joined Drake on “Side Pieces” as he sang about having a starter but still filling out the rest of the team. The track was inspired by “the side piece of the year — the elegant, the beautiful, the discreet, V. Stiviano.”

Other highlights of the night included an extensive sketch compilation with Clippers player Blake Griffin where the two try to one up each other with hilarious impersonations. Griffin got the final laugh when Drake is getting surgery and thinks Blake is the surgeon, but the NBA player reveals, “Oh I’m not the surgeon.. he is.” Chris Brown popped up in surgical gear to say, “YOLO motherf**ker!”

The ESPY Awards took place Wednesday night (July 16) at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Did you watch the ESPYs? If so tell us how Drake did in the comments below!

Check out the opening monologue and skit below!