Drake Biography

Full Name: Aubrey Drake Graham

Date of Birth: October 24, 1986

Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur

Net worth: $260 million

Early Life And Education

Drake was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Aubrey Drake Graham.

His father, Dennis Graham, was a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis and his mother, Sandi Graham, worked as an English teacher and florist.

Drake’s parents divorced when he was five years old, and he lived with his mother in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighborhood.

Growing up, he attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later transferred to Vaughan Road Academy, where he began acting in school plays.

After high school, Drake decided to pursue his career in entertainment and dropped out of school to pursue acting full-time. However, he later received his high school diploma in 2012 while on tour.

Despite not attending college, Drake has expressed interest in pursuing higher education in the past.

In a 2012 interview, he mentioned that he was planning to enroll in college to study art history.

 

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Career

Music Career

At the age of 15, Drake was introduced to an agent by a high school friend’s father and began his acting career.

He landed the role of Jimmy Brooks, a basketball star who was left with physical disabilities after being shot by a classmate, on the Canadian teen show Degrassi: The Next Generation, thanks to the agency’s discovery of his talent.

Drake appeared on the show from 2001 to 2008 in a total of 100 episodes.

In 2020, Barack Obama expressed support for Drake after the rapper expressed interest in playing the former president in a biopic in 2010.

Drake’s debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, was released independently in 2006.

It featured contributions from Trey Songz, Lupe Fiasco, Boi-1da, and Frank Dukes and was influenced by Jay-Z and Clipse.

He made his debut performance in the same year as the opening act for Ice Cube at Kool Haus nightclub and received $100 for his 30-minute performance.

In 2007, Drake released his second mixtape, Comeback Season, under his newly established October’s Very Own imprint.

The Trey Songz-assisted track “Replacement Girl” gained attention when it became the first music video by an unsigned Canadian rapper to air on BET’s “New Joint of the Day” segment.

Drake gained worldwide recognition in 2009 with the release of his mixtape So Far Gone, which included the chart-topping single “Best I Ever Had.”

He signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment after a bidding war broke out between labels, and the mixtape was later released as an EP.

Drake won the Juno Award for best rap recording of the year and was named the new artist of the year.

Drake’s first studio album, Thank Me Later, was released in 2010, followed by the critically acclaimed Take Care in 2011, which won both the Grammy Award and the Juno Award for best rap album.

His subsequent albums, Nothing Was the Same (2013) and Views (2016), also won Juno Awards for best rap recording of the year.

Drake surprised fans with the release of If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, a 17-track mixtape/album, in 2015, which debuted at the top of the charts in both Canada and the US.

The mixtape’s single, “Jumpman,” a collaboration with rapper Future, became a chart-topping hit.

Drake’s fifth studio album, Scorpion, was released in 2018 and featured the hit single “God’s Plan,” which won the Grammy Award for best rap song.

He followed up with the releases of Care Package (2019), Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020), Scary Hours 2 (2020), and Certified Lover Boy (2021).

In 2022, Drake released Honestly, Nevermind, which included more vocals and dance club music than his previous albums, and the lead single “Falling Back,” with an accompanying music video.

He also withdrew his album, “Way 2 Sexy,” from consideration for the Grammy Awards for best rap album and best rap performance.

October Very Own (OVO)

OVO, which stands for “October’s Very Own,” is a Canadian clothing and lifestyle brand founded by rapper Drake in 2011.

The brand has gained a strong following for its sleek and modern designs, which often feature the iconic owl logo. The OVO brand also includes a record label and a music festival.

Drake launched OVO as a blog in 2008 to promote his music and clothing line.

However, it wasn’t until 2011 that the brand fully took off with the opening of the first OVO flagship store in Toronto.

The store quickly became a popular destination for fans and fashion enthusiasts alike, and OVO merchandise became highly coveted.

OVO has since expanded its presence to other major cities including London, Los Angeles, and New York.

The brand has collaborated with other well-known fashion labels such as Roots and Clarks, and has even partnered with the Toronto Raptors NBA team to create custom jerseys and apparel.

In addition to clothing and merchandise, OVO has also released several successful music projects, including Drake’s own albums and mixtapes.

The brand’s annual music festival, OVO Fest, has also become a highly anticipated event, attracting top performers and music fans from around the world.

Acting

Following his departure from Degrassi, Drake ventured into acting and landed a role as the voice of a young mammoth in the 2012 animated film Ice Age 4: Continental Drift.

He later showcased his comedic talents as a host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live, earning critical acclaim for his performances in 2014 and 2016.

In 2019, Drake expanded his involvement in the entertainment industry by taking on the role of executive producer for the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Euphoria, starring Zendaya.

 

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Personal Life

Drake is known for being private and keeping his relationships out of the public eye. He has been linked to several high-profile women, including Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Serena Williams.

In October 2017, Drake confirmed that he had fathered a son, Adonis, with French artist and former adult film star Sophie Brussaux.

Despite his fame and success, Drake has been open about his struggles with mental health, including anxiety and depression.

He has also been involved in several philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and music programs for underprivileged youth through the Drake Foundation.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Thank Me Later (2010)
• Take Care (2011)
• Nothing Was the Same (2013)
• Views (2016)
• Scorpion (2018)
• Certified Lover Boy (2021)

Mixtapes:

• Room for Improvement (2006)
• Comeback Season (2007)
• So Far Gone (2009)
• If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015)
• What a Time to Be Alive (with Future) (2015)
• More Life (2017)
• Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020)

EPs:

• So Far Gone (2009)
• Scary Hours (2018)
• The Best In The World Pack (2019)
• Scary Hours 2 (2021)

Singles:

2009

• “Best I Ever Had”
• “Successful” (featuring Trey Songz & Lil Wayne)
• “Best I Ever Had” (Remix) (featuring R. Kelly)

2010

• “Over”
• “Find Your Love”
• “Miss Me” (featuring Lil Wayne)
• “Fancy” (featuring T.I. & Swizz Beatz)

2011

• “Dreams Money Can Buy”
• “Marvins Room”
• “Trust Issues”
• “Free Spirit” (featuring Rick Ross)

2012

• “HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)” (featuring Lil Wayne)
• “Take Care” (featuring Rihanna)
• “The Motto” (featuring Lil Wayne)
• “Crew Love” (featuring The Weeknd)
• “We’ll Be Fine” (featuring Birdman)

2013

• “Started from the Bottom”
• “5AM in Toronto”
• “Hold On, We’re Going Home” (featuring Majid Jordan)
• “All Me” (featuring 2 Chainz & Big Sean)
• “The Motion” (featuring Sampha)

2014

• “Trophies”
• “Draft Day”
• “0 to 100 / The Catch Up”
• “Believe Me” (Lil Wayne featuring Drake)

2015

• “Energy”
• “Know Yourself”
• “Back to Back”
• “Hotline Bling”

2016

• “Summer Sixteen”
• “Pop Style” (featuring The Throne)
• “One Dance” (featuring Wizkid & Kyla)
• “Controlla”

2017

• “Fake Love”
• “Passionfruit”
• “Portland” (featuring Quavo & Travis Scott)
• “Glow” (featuring Kanye West)
• “Signs”

2018

• “God’s Plan”
• “Diplomatic Immunity”
• “I’m Upset”
• “Nonstop”
• “In My Feelings”

2019

• “Money in the Grave” (featuring Rick Ross)
• “Omertà”
• “No Guidance” (Chris Brown featuring Drake)
• “Behind Barz (Bonus)” (featured on Link Up TV’s Behind Barz)

2020

• “Chicago Freestyle” (featuring Giveon)
• “Tootsie Slide”
• “Desires” (featuring Future)
• “Pain 1993” (featuring Playboi Carti)
• “Laugh Now Cry Later” (featuring Lil Durk)

2021

• “What’s Next”
• “Wants and Needs” (featuring Lil Baby)
• “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” (featuring Rick Ross)
• “What’s Next”
• “Solid” (featuring Young Thug)
• “Fair Trade” (featuring Travis Scott)
• “Girls Want Girls” (featuring Lil Baby)
• “Knife Talk” (featuring 21 Savage & Project Pat)
• “Champagne Poetry”
• “Papi’s Home”

2022

• “I Did” (featuring Lil Durk)
• “Way 2 Sexy” (featuring Future & Young Thug)
• “Fountains” (featuring Tems)
• “Betrayal” (featuring Trippie Redd)
• “Girls Want Girls, Pt. 2” (featuring Lil Baby)
• “N 2 Deep” (featuring Future)
• “Mention Me” (featuring Rema)
• “Smoking