Every Degrassi Cameo From Drake's Music Video "I'm Upset"
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In 2001, the classic Canadian teen drama, Degrassi High, was brought back to television as Degrassi: The Next Generation. The show follows the lives of teenagers, centered around a Canadian high school. However, unlike American television at the time, Degrassi had no problem tackling real-life problems for young adults, ranging from love, sex, drugs, school shootings, and death. It took America by storm as well.
One of the stars of the show was Aubrey Graham, who played Jimmy Brooks on the series. He was an aspiring basketball player who was shot and paralyzed during the series. Graham later went on to become the rapper Drake, whom you're all familiar with, no doubt. In Drake's new music video "I'm Upset," the musician heads to his high school reunion, and all the guests just happen to be the former cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation. The biggest cameo in the video is that the whole video was shot on the sets of the show.
Here is everyone from the show that appeared in the music video, and if you're wondering why there's a picture of JT above, it's to honor his memory because even in this music video, he's still dead. Rest in peace.
Jimmy Brooks (Drake)
It obviously wouldn't be a Drake video without Drake. However, Jimmy is no longer in a wheelchair, and he's living the high life. Also, his bed is in the middle of the Toronto Raptors basketball court.
Gavin 'Spinner' Mason (Shane Kippel)
Jimmy's longtime friend--and their friendship hit some rocky roads--is Spinner, who is the second person to show up in the video.
Paige Michalchuk (Lauren Collins)
Spinner's ex-girlfriend Paige shows up with a couple of familiar faces.
Marco Del Rossi (Adamo Ruggiero) & Ellie Nash (Stacey Farber)
Marco, sans Degrassi denim jacket, and Ellie appear with Paige.
Craig Manning (Jake Epstein)
Ladies man, not in a good way, Craig shows up stag to the reunion.
Terri McGreggor (Christina Schmidt) & Hazel Aden (Andrea Lewis)
Terri and Hazel show up. It looks like Terri's head is doing better, but it's surprising to see her there as she transferred to a private school after hitting her head and going into a coma.
Ashley Kerwin (Melissa McIntyre)
Ashley is hanging out with Craig, even after all his wrongdoing.
Laura Kwan (LinLyn Lue) & Archie 'Snake' Simpson (Stefan Brogren)
The English teacher, Ms. Kwan, and the Media Immersions teach (and future Principal), Snake, show up together. Snake appeared on the original Degrassi High series in 1987.
Derek Haig (Marc Donato) & Danny Van Zandt (Dalmar Abuzeid)
Buddies Derek and Danny are back and goofing around, per usual.
Connor DeLaurier (A.J. Saudin)
Snake's geeky godson is all grown up.
Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes
While they played themselves on the show, during one storyline, Smith was filming his new movie Jay and Silent Bob Go Canadian, Eh! at Degrassi High.
Rick Murray (Ephraim Ellis)
The ghost of Rick shows up and runs away. He was the one that paralyzed Jimmy during a school shooting.
Mia Jones (Nina Dobrev)
Mia spent a few years at the high school, before heading to Paris to become a model.
Toby Isaacs (Jake Goldsbie)
JT's best friend, Toby, appears in a few scenes.
Jane Vaughn (Paula Brancati)
Jane ended up at Degrassi after her high school, Lakehurst, burned down.
Emma Nelson (Miriam McDonald) & Manny Santos (Cassie Steele)
Emma and Manny was one of the longest running friendships on the series, even though--like every relationship on the show--it had its ups and downs.
Liberty Van Zandt (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer)
Liberty was a mainstay of The Next Generation, appearing in all nine seasons.