Drake

Early life and education

Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario. His father, Dennis Graham, is an African American drummer from Memphis, Tennessee, who performed with musician Jerry Lee Lewis, and his mother, Sandra Graham, is a Canadian Ashkenazi Jew who worked as an English teacher and florist. Drake holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States through his father. He was raised Jewish, attending a Jewish day school and having a bar mitzvah. His parents divorced when he was five years old, after which he remained in Toronto with his mother while his father returned to Memphis, where he faced incarceration on drug charges for several years. Drake spent parts of his childhood in two distinct Toronto neighbourhoods, first in the working class west end on Weston Road and later, from the year 2000, in the more affluent Forest Hill area. He attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later Vaughan Road Academy, but dropped out to focus on his acting career, eventually receiving his high school diploma in October 2012 at the age of 25.

Drake's early interests included hockey, where he showed promise as a right winger playing minor hockey with the Weston Red Wings and attending the Upper Canada College hockey camp. He stopped playing competitively after his mother insisted he quit following a dangerous cross check to his neck during a game. As a teenager, he worked at a now closed Toronto furniture factory owned by his maternal grandfather, Reuben Sher. Drake has spoken about experiencing bullying during his school years due to his mixed racial and religious background. His first foray into public performance came at age 10 with a comedic sketch that aired during the 1997 NHL Awards, parodying goalies Martin Brodeur and Ron Hextall and their record as the only goalies to have scored multiple goals.

Career beginnings: Degrassi and early mixtapes (2001 to 2009)

Drake's professional career began in acting at age 15 after being introduced to an agent by a friend's father. He landed the role of Jimmy Brooks, a basketball star who becomes physically disabled after he is shot by a classmate, on the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. He portrayed the character from 2001 to 2008, with his work on the show providing crucial income during a period he described as being very poor. During this time, he recorded his first song, Do What You Do, for The N Soundtrack in 2006. His passion for music often conflicted with his acting schedule, with showrunners Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn noting he would arrive late to set after nights spent recording, eventually leading to an arrangement where he could sleep in a dressing room on set. In 2009, a television comedy series titled Us and Them was announced starring Drake and his Degrassi castmate Mazin Elsadig, but the series was never completed.

Drake's music career began in earnest with the independent release of his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006. He described the project as pretty straightforward and radio friendly. The mixtape sold roughly 6,000 copies, for which Drake received $304.04 in royalties, and he performed his first concert as an opening act for Ice Cube at Toronto's Kool Haus on August 19, 2006, earning $100. His second mixtape, Comeback Season, released in 2007 through his own October's Very Own label, featured the single Replacement Girl and caught the attention of rapper Lil Wayne. The connection led to Drake joining Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III tour, where they recorded several songs together including Ransom and Forever. Drake's breakthrough arrived with his third mixtape, So Far Gone, released for free download in 2009. The project generated over 2,000 downloads in its first two hours and mainstream commercial success with platinum singles Best I Ever Had and Successful, with the former peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The mixtape's success sparked a major label bidding war, often reported as one of the biggest ever, culminating in Drake signing with Young Money Entertainment on June 29, 2009. Later that year, an injury during a performance in Camden, New Jersey, caused him to tear the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Mainstream breakthrough and critical acclaim (2010 to 2015)

Drake's official debut studio album, Thank Me Later, was released on June 15, 2010, after being postponed three times from a planned late 2008 release. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 447,000 copies in its first week and becoming the top selling debut album of 2010 and the highest sales week for any debut album in the 2010s. The album's singles included Over, which peaked at number fourteen and received a Grammy nomination, Find Your Love, which peaked at number five and was certified triple platinum, and Fancy, which garnered another Grammy nomination. He supported the album with the Away from Home Tour starting in September 2010, performing 78 shows over four legs, and launched the first OVO Festival in Toronto in 2010. He also had an eco friendly college tour to support the album.

Drake announced his intentions to allow producer Noah 40 Shebib to create a more cohesive sound on his next album. His second album, Take Care, was released in November 2011 and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. The album has been certified six times platinum by the RIAA, with sales of 2.6 million in the United States. Key singles from the album included Headlines, certified quadruple platinum, The Motto, which popularized the phrase YOLO, and the title track Take Care, whose music video received four MTV Video Music Award nominations. He promoted the album with the worldwide Club Paradise Tour, which became the most successful hip hop tour of 2012, grossing over $42 million. In early 2013, after winning the Grammy, Drake announced his third album, Nothing Was the Same, and released its first single. The album's second single, Hold On, We're Going Home, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. Nothing Was the Same was released on September 24, 2013, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with 658,000 first week sales and atop charts in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Denmark. During this period, Drake also returned to acting, hosting and serving as musical guest on Saturday Night Live in January 2014, with critics praising his comedic timing.

Commercial dominance and record breaking (2015 to 2020s)

The latter half of the 2010s saw Drake achieve unprecedented commercial dominance. On July 31, 2015, he released four singles including Hotline Bling and Back to Back. In September 2015, he released the collaborative mixtape What a Time to Be Alive with Future, which was recorded in Atlanta in under a week. The mixtape debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Drake the first hip hop artist to have two projects reach number one in the same year since 2004, and it was later certified double platinum. In January 2016, he announced his fourth studio album would launch in spring and released the promotional single Summer Sixteen, which debuted at number six on the Hot 100 and proved controversial for its self comparisons to more tenured artists. The album, originally titled Views from the 6, was shortened to Views and released as an Apple Music and iTunes exclusive on April 29, 2016. Its lead single, the dancehall infused One Dance, became Drake's first number one single as a lead artist in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Views spent 13 non consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200, and One Dance became the first song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. In 2018, Drake released his fifth studio album, Scorpion, which spawned three US number one singles: God's Plan, Nice for What, and In My Feelings. These songs spent a cumulative 29 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Drake's chart success continued relentlessly into the 2020s. He amassed six US number one albums during the decade, including Certified Lover Boy in 2021. That album produced nine US top ten songs. His 2026 album Iceman generated ten US top ten songs. In a historic feat in 2026, Drake became the first artist ever to occupy the top three positions on the Billboard 200 chart simultaneously. This period cemented his status as the artist with the most number one singles on several Billboard charts, including Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay.

• 2015: Releases What a Time to Be Alive with Future. It debuts at number one on Billboard 200 and is certified 2x multi platinum.
• 2016: Album Views spends 13 weeks at number one. Single One Dance surpasses 1 billion Spotify streams.
• 2018: Album Scorpion released, with singles God's Plan, Nice for What, and In My Feelings reaching number one.
• 2021: Album Certified Lover Boy released, spawning nine US top ten songs.
• 2026: Album Iceman released, spawning ten US top ten songs. Becomes first artist to occupy top three spots on Billboard 200.

Business ventures and brand partnerships

Beyond music, Drake has built a substantial business empire. He co founded the record label OVO Sound, which serves as his creative hub and has launched other artists. In 2013, he entered into a landmark partnership with the Toronto Raptors, becoming the NBA team's global ambassador and joining its executive committee. This relationship led to the Raptors' practice facility being named the OVO Athletic Centre. His entrepreneurial pursuits span multiple industries. In 2016, he began collaborating with Brent Hocking on the bourbon whiskey brand Virginia Black. He is a co owner of the esports and gaming organization 100 Thieves. In fashion, he heads the OVO clothing label and has a major collaboration with Nike under the Nocta sub brand.

Drake's influence in the tech and media space was demonstrated through his 2015 partnership with Apple Music, which has been credited with the successful launch of that platform. He also founded the production company DreamCrew and the fragrance house Better World. These ventures, coupled with his music and role with the Raptors, have made him one of Canada's most prominent cultural exporters and businessmen. His extravagant lifestyle and involvement in publicized rap feuds, notably with artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, have also contributed to his widespread media coverage.

Artistic style and cultural impact

Drake is widely credited with popularizing a style of hip hop that heavily incorporates R&B melodies and singing, an approach often termed rap singing or melodic rap. His music frequently explores themes of romance, introspection, vulnerability, and his rise to fame, set against atmospheric production largely helmed by longtime collaborator Noah 40 Shebib. This sound, prominent on albums like Take Care and Nothing Was the Same, influenced a generation of artists and shifted the direction of mainstream hip hop and R&B. His ability to craft massive pop hits, such as One Dance and God's Plan, while maintaining credibility in the rap world, demonstrates his unique crossover appeal. His impact is quantified by both sales and awards. Drake has sold over 170 million records worldwide, making him one of the best selling music artists. He is the highest certified digital singles artist in United States history. Billboard magazine named him the Artist of the Decade for the 2010s and the highest grossing hip hop touring artist. He has also been ranked as the fourth greatest pop star of the 21st century by the publication. His trophy case includes 5 Grammy Awards, 6 American Music Awards, a record 41 Billboard Music Awards, 2 Brit Awards, and 3 Juno Awards. His album Take Care was included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

Major awards and chart achievements

Drake's career is marked by an extraordinary accumulation of awards and chart records that highlight his commercial and critical success. His 41 Billboard Music Awards are a record for any artist. He has won 5 Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album for Take Care. In Canada, he has been honoured with 3 Juno Awards, including Rap Recording of the Year for the So Far Gone EP. His chart achievements are particularly staggering, holding multiple Billboard records for a male solo artist. He holds the record among male solo artists for the most Billboard 200 number one albums with 15 and the most Billboard Hot 100 number one singles with 14. He also has the most number one singles on the R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, and Rhythmic Airplay charts.

Beyond these, he made history in 2026 by becoming the first artist to hold the top three positions on the Billboard 200 simultaneously. His single One Dance was the first to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Billboard also recognized his broader impact, naming him Artist of the Decade for the 2010s. These accomplishments collectively affirm his position as a defining figure in modern popular music.

Questions about Drake

How did Drake get his start in entertainment?

Drake first gained public recognition as an actor, landing the role of Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001 at age 15. He portrayed the character, a basketball star who becomes physically disabled after a shooting, until 2008. During his time on the show, he began pursuing music independently, releasing his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006. His big musical break came with the 2009 mixtape So Far Gone, which led to a major label bidding war and his signing with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment on June 29, 2009.

What is Drake's connection to the Toronto Raptors?

Drake has a deep and formalized connection with the Toronto Raptors. In 2013, he was named the NBA team's global ambassador and joined its executive committee. This partnership is more than ceremonial, it includes input on team branding and community initiatives. A tangible outcome is the naming rights to the Raptors' practice facility, which is called the OVO Athletic Centre after Drake's October's Very Own brand. His involvement is credited with boosting the team's international profile and strengthening its connection with the city's culture.

What are some of Drake's most successful albums?

Drake has multiple albums that have achieved massive commercial and critical success. His debut, Thank Me Later (2010), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with over 447,000 first week sales. Take Care (2011) won a Grammy for Best Rap Album and is certified six times platinum. Views (2016) spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard 200, and Scorpion (2018) produced three number one singles. In the 2020s, Certified Lover Boy (2021) generated nine US top ten songs, and Iceman (2026) generated ten. In 2026, he made history when his albums occupied the top three spots on the Billboard 200 simultaneously.

What business ventures does Drake own?

Drake is a prolific entrepreneur with ventures across several industries. He co founded the record label OVO Sound and the production company DreamCrew. In fashion, he runs the OVO clothing label and the Nocta collaboration with Nike. He is a co owner of the gaming organization 100 Thieves. In spirits, he partnered with Brent Hocking to launch the bourbon whiskey Virginia Black in 2016. He also founded the fragrance house Better World. His 2015 partnership with Apple Music was a key moment for the streaming service's launch.

What chart records does Drake hold?

Drake holds numerous Billboard chart records. Among male solo artists, he has the most number one albums on the Billboard 200 with 15 and the most number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with 14. He also has the most number one singles ever on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay charts. In 2026, he became the first artist in history to occupy the top three positions on the Billboard 200 at the same time. His single One Dance was the first to reach one billion streams on Spotify.

How many awards has Drake won?

Drake has won a vast number of awards throughout his career. His accolades include 5 Grammy Awards, 6 American Music Awards, and 2 Brit Awards. He holds a record 41 Billboard Music Awards, more than any other artist. In Canada, he has won 3 Juno Awards, including Rap Recording of the Year for So Far Gone. Billboard magazine has also bestowed major honours upon him, including naming him the Artist of the Decade for the 2010s, the highest grossing hip hop touring artist, and ranking him as the fourth greatest pop star of the 21st century.

Sources and further reading

• Drake (Wikipedia)
• Drake (Musician) (rollingstone.com)
• Drake | Biography, Music & News (billboard.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.