Newspaper mistakes hip hop superstar Drake for WHITE Australian rapper Illy

Newspaper mistakes hip hop superstar Drake for WHITE Australian rapper Illy in a bizarre gaffe

He is one of Australia’s most well-known rappers, having topped the charts and won multiple ARIA Awards. 

But it seems not everyone is familiar with Illy, a.k.a. Alasdair Murray, as he was bizarrely mistaken for Canadian rapper Drake by The Sunday Telegraph newspaper. 

The musician, 34, was amused by the gaffe and shared a photo to Instagram of the article, which misidentified him as Drake in a caption.

Whoops! Australian rapper Illy, a.k.a. Alasdair Murray, was bizarrely mistaken for Canadian rapper Drake by a Sunday newspaper. The musician, 34, was amused by the gaffe and shared a photo to Instagram of the article, which misidentified him as Drake in a caption

‘Hey guys, been meaning to tell you for a while. I’m actually Canadian rapper Drake,’ Illy wrote in the caption.  

‘Man… feels good to finally get that off my chest. Thank me later.’   

The article in question did mention Drake, which could have been where the confusion came from. The caption was most likely written by a sub-editor who wasn’t familiar with rap music.

Awkward: The article in question did mention Drake (pictured), which could have been where the confusion came from. The caption was most likely written by a sub-editor who wasn't familiar with rap music

Awkward: The article in question did mention Drake (pictured), which could have been where the confusion came from. The caption was most likely written by a sub-editor who wasn’t familiar with rap music

Meanwhile, Illy has started 2021 with a bang, releasing a new album titled The Space Between. 

He is set to celebrate the release by performing two shows later this month, one in Melbourne and the other in Sydney.

‘There was no way I wasn’t doing something to celebrate a release week that’s been such a long time coming,’ he said in a statement.

New work: Illy has started 2021 with a bang, releasing a new album titled The Space Between

New work: Illy has started 2021 with a bang, releasing a new album titled The Space Between

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to live music for much of last year, so the two-time ARIA winner said he was ‘thrilled’ to have a chance to perform. 

‘I’m thrilled that that something will be playing live, and talking about the songs, with actual crowds. Bring on 2021,’ he said.

Illy rose to fame in 2009 with the release of his first album, Long Story Short. His well-known singles include Papercuts and Catch-22.  

Career: Illy rose to fame in 2009 with the release of his first album, Long Story Short. His well-known singles include Papercuts and Catch-22

Career: Illy rose to fame in 2009 with the release of his first album, Long Story Short. His well-known singles include Papercuts and Catch-22