In an interview with '' Billboard '' , Drake talked about " Headlines " saying , " By no means is it the best song on my album , it 's really just the song for this moment , right now . " Drake talked about why he released the song as the first single saying : " I always try to put forth a song with a message . A lot of people pick their single by what 's the strongest song . I do n't really do that . I like to make sure that the content is very relevant to right now . " Drake also said , " I want people to party to it but at the same time the fans , the people that care about my career , the people that follow me , will hear a message in it . " Drake told MTV News in early September that " Headlines " was the perfect tune to launch the project : " I think it 's great ; the purpose of that record was solely to deliver a message " , he said . " I could 've gone with the record that was sort of super radio-friendly , but I really just wanted to talk to the people with the first record . " The first live performance of " Headlines " took place at Caesars Windsor in Windsor , Ontario , Canada on August 4 , 2011 . On October 15 , Drake made his '' Saturday Night Live '' debut in an episode hosted by Anna Faris and was set to perform " Headlines " as the musical guest of the week . On November 20 , 2011 , Drake sang " Headlines " at the American Music Awards of 2011 . In December 31 , 2011 , Drake performed on Times Square a Medley of " Headlines " with Make Me Proud and The Motto The music video was directed by Lamar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne , both related to The Weeknd 's " XO " crew . It officially premiered on October 2 , 2011 on Vimeo . It does n't feature anyone from Young Money , but has appearances by T-Minus , Noah " 40 " Shebib , The Weeknd , Boi-1da and Kromatik . It was shot in Canada , mainly in Toronto , Drake 's home town . No narrative is followed , yet Drake is depicted rapping in different environments : in the centre field of Toronto 's Rogers Centre ( as the stadium 's scoreboard is lit up with the title of his November 15 album , Take Care ) ; in front of a rundown building with the letters " OVOXO " ( the name of Drake 's crew : " October 's Very Own " or " OVO " standing for Drake and " XO " standing for The Weeknd ) sprayed in graffiti by ' Mer ' on the wall ; in the glass elevator of the C.N. Tower , going up , allowing few symbolic interpretations in relation to Drake 's ascension to fame , the main topic of the song ; at the head of a dining table , puffing on a cigar , Drake being dressed with an unprecedented retro as well as geeky style , with a knitted jumper and vintage half-tainted glasses ; and most notably in front of Toronto 's historic Guild Park , surrounded by his crew . The video shows obvious traces of sponsorship by Nike sportswear
American Music Awards of 2011
American Music Awards of 2011
Headlines (Drake song)