Drake to Host ‘SNL’ in January

Drake is set to take the helm when Saturday Night Live returns for its first fresh episode of the new year. The rapper will pull double-duty as both host and musical guest on January 18th, 2014, the show announced during its broadcast last night.

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Drake joins a small but growing group of musicians who have served both roles on the show simultaneously, including Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Miley Cyrus.

Fortunately, Drake has quite a bit of acting experience to bring to the table: before launching his music career in 2006, the Toronto native (born Aubrey Drake Graham) got his start as an actor on Canadian television. He was best known for his role as Jimmy Brooks on the show Degrassi: The Next Generation. 

Drake last appeared on Saturday Night Live in 2011 in an episode hosted by Anna Faris. Although his primary job at the time was musical guest, he did show off some comedy chops in a Weekend Update segment, playing one of “two teenagers dressed as werewolves” brought in to fill Seth Meyers in on the latest Halloween trend of Bag Jackin’.