Drake to host ESPYs (‘SNL’ on his resume probably didn’t hurt)

Multi-talented performer Drake will be exercising his recently flexed hosting muscles at the helm of the 2014 ESPY Awards in July, ESPN announced Wednesday.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me to combine two of my biggest passions -- sports and performing,” the rapper said in a statement.

Drake was warmly received as the host of “Saturday Night Live” in January -- Show Tracker called him “an ideal guest host with whom the new writers could play” -- and according to TMZ it was that turn, along with mention of some similar gigs in the past, that landed him the job.

If you don’t include the ribbing he took earlier this week around the final game of the NCAA’s March Madness, Drake’s been in the news most recently for hanging out with rumored love interest Rihanna. The maybe-couple arrived separately but hung out together, even danced, at a birthday party for one of her friends Tuesday night at Supperclub in Hollywood, E News! reported.

In February, Rihanna surprised Drake’s audience and fueled the couple speculation when she took the stage with him in Paris for a duet on the tune “Take Care.”

The ESPYs, to be held at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre on July 16, honor the year’s top events in sports while raising money for the V Foundation, a cancer-research charity.

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