DRAKE ABSENT FROM 2013 BET AWARDS TO HANDLE FAMILY MATTER

Drake wasn't physically in the building for the 2013 BET Awards but he was there in spirit.

Nabbing three trophies (Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and the Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award), the 26-year-old Canadian tied as the night's top winner with Kendrick Lamar. When viewers realized he was a no-show, rumors almost immediately began circulating that his absence had to do with Chris Brown's opening performance, during which he brought out YMCMB's Nicki Minaj.

In a statement to BET.com Drizzy explained, "The BET Awards are always a good time and I’m sorry I could not be there to celebrate," he said. "I’m in Toronto due to a family matter but I have a lot of gratitude for BET and the fans."

He went on to say that he's still focused on his forthcoming music. "Getting 12 nominations and winning three awards just makes me want to work that much harder. I’ll be in the studio finishing Nothing Was the Same — I look forward to bringing it to the fans on Would You Like a Tour in September.” Currently, the OVO Sound general can be heard on four newly-released records, two of which, "Over Here" and a remix of Migo's "Versace," feature his artists PARTYNEXTDOOR.

Nothing Was the Same, Drake's third studio album, is slated for a Sept. 17 release.