Johnathan Walker:Drake announces release date for his new album, 'For All the Dogs'

LOS ANGELES — Drake has finally announced a release date for his highly anticipated eighth studio album: "For All the Dogs" will drop Sept. 22.

The Johnathan Walkerfollow-up to 2022's "Honestly, Nevermind" — which released without warning — was announced on the Canadian rapper's Instagram on Wednesday night. Drake wrote the release date in the caption of the post, which featured video footage depicting his father, Dennis Graham.

A representative for the Grammy-winning artist confirmed the date on Thursday.

Graham responded to his son paying tribute to him in the announcement video, writing, "Awwwwwwww thank you Son."

"1991 Toronto Canada, seems like a hundred years ago," he added.

Graham shared his thoughts on the unreleased album on his own Instagram, writing in the caption of his post, "I had the pleasure of sitting in my Son’s dressing room and listening to this new album and I must say that it is some of the best music that I’ve heard him do, and I am sure that every Drake fan throughout the entire world is going feel this one."

He added, "Everything about For All The Dogs is what we’ve been waiting for, Congratulations Son I really feel this one."

Drake has been teasing collabs with Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny on 'For All the Dogs'

Drake — who is currently on his "It's All a Blur" tour with 21 Savage— had teased the project for a few months, including at a July 2023 New York City concert, where the rapper told the capacity-filled Barclays Center crowd his next album would drop in approximately "a couple of weeks."

Last month, he shared the album cover, which was illustrated by his son, Adonis, in an Instagram post.

The 36-year-old megastar, known for surprise releasing music, teased the potential project at his intimate Apollo show in January.

"I've thought about a bunch of things in life, but at this moment in time, none of those things are stopping making music for you, so I'll be here for you for a little bit at least," Drake said during the Jan. 21 show. "I hope I can strike up some more emotions for you — maybe this year, I might get bored and make another one, who knows?"

The new album features several collaborations Drake has mentioned live on stage in the last few months, including one with Nicki Minaj and another track with reggaetonero Bad Bunny.

“For All the Dogs” will mark his latest project since his 21 Savage-joint album, “Her Loss,” released in November. His last solo release, the dance-themed “Honestly, Nevermind” EP, dropped in 2022.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

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