Kiwi hip-hop fans keep eyes peeled for Drake

Kiwi fans have been keeping their eyes open for Drake sightings over the weekend, hoping to catch sight of the popular Canadian rapper.

Drake was rumoured to have landed in New Zealand on Friday ahead of tonight's Auckland show, and Twitter users claimed to have spotted him dining at Ebisu in downtown Auckland.

DRAKE IS 100% AT EBISU I JUST SAW HIM WITH MY OWN EYES THIS BLUR IS HIM MY KNEES ARE WEAK 🙌💯 pic.twitter.com/FjUivzcwAn

— Naly_D (@Naly_D) February 20, 2015

Drake's vocal coach Dionne Osborne - credited for helping the rapper develop his signature style - has made the trip Down Under.

She has been posting photos from Drake's rehearsals for the show at Roundhead Studio on Twitter.

Rehearsal time in Auckland, New Zealand with the dudes! Good to b back with them! @Abentimus @d10daproduca @Drake pic.twitter.com/XS0IYCta1G

— Dionne Osborne (@OsborneDionne) February 22, 2015

Auckland, New Zealand, can't believe we r here! Amazing country and folk! Hope u r ready to party 2nite with @Drake! pic.twitter.com/a5mtNS2K4W

— Dionne Osborne (@OsborneDionne) February 22, 2015

His Roundhead rehearsals were confirmed by Drake's own Instagram account.

Radio station ZM also reported that over the weekend he shouted everyone in an Auckland Pita Pit free food.

Drake was at pita pit today and paid for everybody's food

— vaness (@_vanessagomz) February 22, 2015

Despite requests from NZ Herald, Drake hasn't granted interviews while he's here.

He's been busy on his Instagram account, but the only post he has written on Facebook and Twitter asked fans what songs they'd like to hear during his Australian and New Zealand performances.

What do you want to hear on the New Zealand/Australia tour dates?

— Drizzy (@Drake) February 21, 2015

He released his surprise mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late just a week ago, in the build up to his fourth album Views From the 6.

Drake performs tonight at Vector Arena with 2Chainz, Midnight Gallery and P Reign in support.

- nzherald.co.nz