Drake

Drake's Full Biography: Behind The Music

Drake is a singer and rapper from Canada. Drake, a prominent figure in modern popular music, has been recognized for his role in bringing singing and R&B elements to the forefront of hip-hop.

Drake achieved fame by playing the role of Jimmy Brooks in the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–08). In 2006, he decided to pursue a career in music and released his first mixtape, "Room for Improvement," in February of that same year. After that, he released the mixtapes "Comeback Season" (2007) and "So Far Gone" (2009) before officially joining Young Money Entertainment.

Unveiling the Roots: Drake's Early Life and Education

Drake, whose birth name is Aubrey Drake Graham, was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When Graham was a young child, his parents divorced, and his mother raised him. He would frequently spend his summers with his father, who was a drummer and came from a family with strong musical ties. Graham was chosen to play the role of Jimmy Brooks, a basketball star, on the 2001 television show Degrassi, which was a great early source of income for the then-15-year-old.

Watch Degrassi: The Next Generation on: Tubi

However, his real passion lied in music, and during that period, he started pursuing rap music under his middle name as his stage name. In 2006, he independently released his debut mixtape titled "Room for Improvement." Drake's second album, "Comeback Season" (2007), featured the song "Replacement Girl" with Trey Songz.

This track gained attention when it was showcased on BET's music video program, 106 & Park, which helped to increase Drake's visibility. From there, he decided to prioritize his music career and left Degrassi in 2008.

A Journey to Stardom - Drake's Career Timeline

The release of the mixtape "So Far Gone" and its hit single "Best I Ever Had" in 2009 marked Drake's breakthrough. Eventually, Drake signed with Lil Wayne's Cash Money subsidiary, Young Money Entertainment, after a bidding war between labels.

The label released the EP "So Far Gone" later that year, which led to Drake winning the Juno Award for best rap recording of the year in addition to being named the year's best new artist. But it was with the release of his first full-length studio album, "Thank Me Later," in 2010, that Drake shot to international fame.

The widely acclaimed "Take Care" (2011) came after that. Both the Grammy Award for best rap album and the Juno Award for rap recording of the year went to that album. "Nothing Was the Same," Drake's 2013 follow-up studio album, likewise won a Juno Award.

In 2015, Drake took to Twitter to surprise fans with the unexpected release of a 17-track mixtape-album hybrid titled "If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late." Music critics lauded this record as a return to the intimate, emotive, and melodious style reminiscent of his early work. Like his prior releases, it swiftly ascended to the pinnacle of music charts in both Canada and the United States, securing the Juno Award for the best rap recording of the year.

Later in the same year, Drake joined forces with fellow rapper Future to drop the collaborative mixtape "What a Time to be Alive." This project made a grand entrance at the summit of the Billboard 200. His fourth studio album, "Views," which was released in 2016, featured hit singles like "One Dance" and "Hotline Bling."

The former song achieved a remarkable feat by becoming Spotify's most-streamed single at the time. Meanwhile, "Hotline Bling" earned Drake two Grammy Awards, one for the best rap song and the other for the best rap performance.

In 2017, Drake made a bold decision by not submitting his release for that year, "More Life," for Grammy consideration. Drake referred to "More Life" as a playlist that expertly incorporated various musical influences from around the world and featured up-and-coming artists like British singer Jorja Smith and South African producer Black Coffee on the track "Get It Together." Additionally, Drake chose not to submit the record for consideration for the Juno Awards.

Drake's fifth studio album, "Scorpion," unveiled in 2018, introduced the world to the hit single "God's Plan," a track that had originally surfaced on his EP "Scary Hours" several months prior. In 2019, Drake secured a Grammy Award for best rap song in recognition of this chart-topping hit. However, his acceptance speech during the live broadcast was abruptly cut short after he voiced criticisms about the awards show.

Drake's subsequent releases included "Care Package" in 2019, a compilation album featuring B-sides, covers, and other tracks. In 2020, he dropped "Dark Lane Demo Tapes," which brought the Billboard Hot 100 single "Toosie Slide" into the spotlight. The EP "Scary Hours 2" made its entrance in 2021, featuring yet another Billboard Hot 100 hit, "What's Next?"

Drake's sixth studio album, "Certified Lover Boy," was unveiled in 2021. However, later that same year, he made the notable decision to withdraw the album and one of its tracks, "Way 2 Sexy," from consideration for the Grammy Awards in the categories of best rap album and best rap performance.

In 2022, Drake took the world by surprise with a follow-up release titled "Honestly, Nevermind." This offering featured more vocalization and dance club beats than his previous albums. Shortly after, he debuted the music video for the album's first single, "Falling Back."

Exploring Drake's Diverse Business Ventures

In addition to his musical endeavors, Drake co-founded the Toronto-based collective known as October’s Very Own (OVO), alongside his frequent collaborator, the producer Noah ("40") Shebib, and Oliver El-Khatib.

OVO evolved into a record label, OVO Sound, in 2012, and it proudly represented talented acts such as the R&B duo Majid Jordan and the Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer PartyNextDoor. Notably, beginning with the release of "Care Package" in 2019, all of Drake's albums were launched under the OVO Sound banner.

However, the company's primary source of revenue stemmed from its thriving fashion line. Subsequently, OVO inked partnerships with major names such as Nike and Timberland. The remarkable success of the OVO fashion line paved the way for the opening of its inaugural retail store in Toronto in 2014, and it later expanded to cities including Los Angeles, New York, and London.

Drake has taken on more acting roles as well, including lending his voice to a teenage mammoth in the animated feature Ice Age 4: Continental Drift in 2012.

In 2019, Drake expanded his creative portfolio by assuming the role of executive producer for the HBO series "Euphoria," featuring Emmy Award-winning actress Zendaya in a leading role.

Drake's Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Drake's net worth is estimated to be $250 million. In addition to his music career, Drake has also built his wealth through various business endeavors, including establishing his own record label and liquor brand, as well as securing highly profitable endorsement agreements with major companies like Nike.

To All The Girls Drake Has Loved Before: Drake's Personal Life

Drake has quite a long list when it comes to who he has been linked to, according to Capital Xtra. Some of the more famous ones being:

• Kylie Jenner
• Bella Hadid
• Jenifer Lopez
• Rihanna
• Nicki Minaj

Drake's son, Adonis, is his only child. Sophie Brussaux is the child's mother. Sophie and Drake were initially connected when they were seen sharing a meal together in January 2017 at a restaurant in Amsterdam. After two months, news emerged that Sophie was expecting a baby with Drake, which quickly grabbed the media's interest. Their son was born on October 11th, 2017. While they are not together anymore, Drake has a big part in his son's life and he and Sophie two co-parent very well together.

Where Drake Goes, Controversy Follows

In 2015, Drake faced accusations of using ghostwriters for some of his songs, particularly during a feud with fellow rapper Meek Mill. This controversy sparked a heated debate in the hip-hop community about the authenticity of his work.

Drake has been involved in various high-profile feuds with other musicians, including Meek Mill, Pusha T, and Kanye West. These feuds often resulted in the exchange of diss tracks, which not only fueled controversies but also created significant buzz in the music industry.

Drake has faced allegations of cultural appropriation, particularly for his use of Caribbean and African influences in his music and public image. Critics have argued that he sometimes blurs the lines between appreciation and appropriation.

Drake has been vocal about his views on awards shows, particularly the Grammys. He has criticized the awards for their lack of diversity and representation, which sparked discussions about the industry's need for change.

Drake's references to his son in his music and the controversy surrounding his paternity have drawn significant attention. His candidness about his personal life has sometimes resulted in public scrutiny and debate.