Drake to fly in to Perth

Canadian hip-hop star *Drake * has announced he will perform headline shows in Australia for the first time next year.

The singer, left, is already heading Down Under in February to headline Future Music Festival but will now also play a series of solo concerts, including a date at *Perth Arena * on March 3.

Drake, real name *Aubrey Drake Graham *, has also invited friend and fellow rapper *2 Chainz * to join him on the tour as a special guest.

Dubbed "hip-hop's new centre of gravity" by the New York Times, Drake has topped charts around the world with hits such as Hold On, We're Going Home and Take Care.

He has collaborated with *Beyonce *, *Rihanna * and *Kanye West * and scooped up a Grammy Award, 11 BET Awards and three Juno Awards.

A Frontier member pre-sale begins on Thursday through Ticketek, with a general public release from next Monday.