Drake is known for many things, not least his trademark look.
The Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor is something of a worldwide phenomenon. He has managed to cultivate such a strong personal ‘brand’ that people who haven’t even heard a note of his music would have no trouble picking him out from a crowd.
Part of his rapper-with-a-bleeding-heart persona are his famous facial follicles. The kempt beard, along with the boots and the big coats, are somewhat reassuring to fans who know precisely where they stand with their emotional yet tough hero. But millions were shocked by a radical change on Friday.
Because the 29-year-old shared a grainy image via Instagram (which he swiftly deleted) of a decidedly clean-shaven look with the accompanying message: ‘Beard making an epic come back in 2 weeks…only for you @nbcsnl [peace emoji, prayer emoji] TUNE IN TMRW NIGHT AT 11:30 on NBC’
https://twitter.com/SRDtv/status/731104988760444929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
As you can see, the snap isn’t very clear, but using the latest photo-enhancement technology (photoshop), we managed to enhance the image to make the un-hirsute rapper far more apparent.
As you can imagine, devoted fans everywhere flipped out at the dramatic removal of face fuzz for the benefit of Saturday Night Live, and they made their shock very clear via social media.
What’s apparent is an ever so slight overreaction and general disappointment…
https://twitter.com/engee00/status/731116264895045632
I almost cried when I saw this
— charlesetta (@cattvision) May 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/dylsxmakeup/status/731113198364049410
Wait, Drake cut his beard 😔 pic.twitter.com/3b0EoAezuh
— PrettyKeyz (@Rih2dope) May 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/platinumdrizzy/status/731105513488945154
https://twitter.com/1Rafz/status/731137323929358336
Me trying to like Drake without his beard pic.twitter.com/prF3MZ0v7o
— rat (@badgalrivers) May 13, 2016
the beard better hurry up and grow back. i wanna see it on your face before the day is over. I ain't playin @drake pic.twitter.com/nNMdVEth5n
— c. (@aubreysoctober) May 13, 2016
