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 once performed with musician Jerry Lee Lewis. 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, the American citizenship derived from his father. He was raised in the Jewish faith, attended a Jewish day school, and had 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 the United States, where he was later incarcerated on drug-related charges for a number of years.

Drake spent his early childhood in the working-class Weston Road area of Toronto's west end, attending Weston Memorial Junior Public School until grade four. He played minor hockey with the Weston Red Wings and showed promise as a right winger, even reaching the Upper Canada College hockey camp. After a serious injury from a cross-check during a game, his mother encouraged him to leave the sport. The family later moved to the more affluent Forest Hill neighbourhood in 2000, where they lived in a modest basement and first-floor duplex. At age 10, Drake appeared in a comedic sketch that aired during the 1997 NHL Awards, featuring a riff on goalies Martin Brodeur and Ron Hextall.

Drake attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later Vaughan Road Academy in Toronto's Oakwood, Vaughan neighbourhood, which he described as not the easiest school to attend. During his teenage years, he worked at a now-closed Toronto furniture factory owned by his maternal grandfather, Reuben Sher. He has spoken about being bullied at school for his mixed racial and religious background. Determining that his class schedule was detrimental to his burgeoning acting career, he dropped out of high school, though he eventually received his diploma in October 2012 at the age of 25.

Acting career and early musical output

Drake's entertainment career began at age 15 when he was introduced to an acting agent by a high school friend's father. This led to his role as Jimmy Brooks, a basketball star who becomes physically disabled after being shot by a classmate, on the CTV teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2001 to 2008. The income from this role provided crucial financial support for his family, with Drake later stating his mother was very sick and they were broke at the time. According to showrunners, he would often arrive late to set after nights recording music, eventually making a deal with security to sleep in a dressing room. His first recorded song, Do What You Do, appeared on The N Soundtrack in connection with the series.

While still acting, Drake began pursuing music seriously. He co-formed the R&B duo The Renaissance with singer Melanie Fiona, although they never released an album. Musically inspired by Jay-Z and Clipse, he self-released his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006, featuring Trey Songz and Lupe Fiasco. He performed his first concert as an opening act for Ice Cube at Toronto's Kool Haus in August 2006, earning $100 for a half-hour set. His second mixtape, Comeback Season (2007), was released from his own October's Very Own label and spawned the single Replacement Girl featuring Trey Songz.

The song Replacement Girl sampled a track containing a verse from Lil Wayne, which led the rapper to invite Drake to Houston to join his Tha Carter III tour. On tour, they recorded songs together including Ransom and Forever. The major breakthrough came in 2009 with the mixtape So Far Gone, which was made available for free download through his OVO blog. It received over 2,000 downloads in its first two hours and found mainstream success with the singles Best I Ever Had and Successful, both achieving Platinum certification. Best I Ever Had peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The mixtape's success prompted a re-release as an EP, which debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2010 Juno Awards. This led to a major label bidding war, and Drake signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment in June 2009.

Mainstream breakthrough and album success

Drake's debut studio album, Thank Me Later, was released on June 15, 2010, after several delays. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with sales of over 447,000 copies in its first week, becoming the top-selling debut album of 2010. The lead single Over peaked at number fourteen on the Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. The second single, Find Your Love, peaked at number five and was certified triple platinum. A free concert for the album in New York City drew 25,000 fans and was cancelled by police due to overcrowding. Drake supported the album with the Away from Home Tour, which included 78 shows, and hosted the first OVO Festival in 2010.

He followed this with Take Care in November 2011, an album he intended to have a more cohesive sound than his debut, produced primarily by Noah 40 Shebib. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards and was later certified six times platinum in the United States, with sales marking 2.6 million. Its singles included Headlines, The Motto which popularized the phrase YOLO, and the title track Take Care featuring Rihanna. The music video for Take Care received four nominations at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. In promotion of the album, Drake went on the worldwide Club Paradise Tour, which became the most successful hip-hop tour of 2012, grossing over $42 million. During this period, he also returned to acting, voicing the character Ethan in Ice Age: Continental Drift.

His third album, Nothing Was the Same, was released in September 2013 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 658,000 copies sold in its first week. It also debuted atop the charts in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Denmark. The single Hold On, We're Going Home reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album was promoted by the Would You Like a Tour?, which grossed an estimated $46 million and ranked as the 22nd-most successful tour of the year. In early 2014, Drake hosted and served as musical guest on Saturday Night Live, with critics praising his comedic timing and versatility.

Commercial dominance and chart records

In February 2015, Drake surprise-released the project If You're Reading This It's Too Late with no prior announcement. Debate ensued over whether it was an album or mixtape, but it sold over one million units in 2015 and was seen by some as a move to fulfill his contract with Cash Money Records. Later that year, he collaborated with Future on the mixtape What a Time to Be Alive, recorded in Atlanta in under a week. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Drake the first hip-hop artist in over a decade to have two number one projects in the same year, and was later certified double platinum.

His fourth studio album, Views, was released in April 2016 as an Apple Music and iTunes exclusive. It spent 13 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. The dancehall-infused single One Dance became Drake's first number one single as a lead artist in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and was the first song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. In 2018, he released Scorpion, which spent 29 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 driven by the singles God's Plan, Nice for What, and In My Feelings. Throughout the 2020s, he amassed six US number one albums.

Throughout the 2020s, Drake amassed six US number-one albums. This streak included Certified Lover Boy from 2021, which spawned nine US top ten songs. It also included the 2026 album Iceman, which spawned ten US top ten songs. In 2026, he became the first artist to occupy the top three spots on the Billboard 200. This historic chart achievement was driven by the performance of Iceman and other concurrent releases.

Business ventures and brand partnerships

Beyond music, Drake is a prolific entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio. He co-founded the record label OVO Sound and the film and television production company DreamCrew. In 2013, he entered a formal partnership with the Toronto Raptors, becoming the team's global ambassador and joining its executive committee. This relationship deepened when the Raptors' practice facility was renamed the OVO Athletic Centre. His fashion endeavours include the OVO clothing label and the high-performance Nocta collaboration with Nike, which he heads.

Drake has made significant investments in other industries. He is a co-owner of the esports and gaming organization 100 Thieves. In 2016, he began collaborating with entrepreneur Brent Hocking on the bourbon whiskey Virginia Black. He also founded the fragrance house Better World. His 2015 exclusive partnership with Apple Music is widely credited with aiding the successful launch of that streaming platform. These ventures have expanded his influence far beyond the recording studio and into global consumer markets.

Artistic style and cultural impact

Drake is widely credited with popularizing a rap-singing style that blends hip-hop with R&B sensibilities, a sound that has dominated mainstream music since the 2010s. His lyrics often explore themes of romance, introspection, fame, and his connection to his hometown of Toronto, which he frequently refers to as the 6. This consistent hometown pride has played a significant role in shaping Toronto's modern cultural identity on the global stage. He sought to expand on a low-tempo, sensuous, and dark sonic aesthetic beginning with his second album, incorporating R&B and pop to create a languid, grandiose sound.

His impact is quantified by numerous records. He holds the record for 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. With over 170 million records sold worldwide, he is among the best-selling music artists of all time and is the highest-certified digital singles artist in the United States. Billboard named him the Artist of the Decade for the 2010s and the fourth greatest pop star of the 21st century. His extensive touring has also made him the highest-grossing hip-hop touring artist. He has achieved 15 Billboard 200 number one albums and 14 Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, both records among male solo artists.

Awards, recognition, and recent activities

Drake's accolades include five Grammy Awards, three Juno Awards, 41 Billboard Music Awards, and six American Music Awards. In 2026, he was scheduled to receive his fourth songwriter of the year award at the SOCAN Music Awards in Toronto, an event that also honoured artist Jessie Reyez. That same year, he inducted fellow Canadian musician Nelly Furtado into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, highlighting his role within the national music community. His 2026 album Iceman continued his trend of commercial dominance. Also in 2026, the Drake Music Collective presented an evening of new music and ideas in London, England, on October 24. Despite his global stature, Drake maintains a strong connection to Canadian institutions and award ceremonies, regularly participating in events like the Juno Awards. His ongoing projects and performances, including tour dates scheduled for 2026 and 2027, confirm his sustained activity and popularity in the music industry.

Public persona and personal life

Drake's extravagant lifestyle and high-profile relationships have been a constant source of media coverage. He has also been involved in several publicized rap feuds, most notably with artists Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. These conflicts have often played out in diss tracks and through social media, contributing to his complex public narrative. He has received widespread media attention for both his professional successes and these personal controversies. He is known for his philanthropic efforts in Toronto, including donations to schools and charities. His role with the Toronto Raptors extends beyond an ambassadorial title, as he is frequently seen at games and has been instrumental in promoting the team's brand internationally. Drake guards details of his private life but has openly discussed the influence of his mother and his Jewish upbringing on his personal development. He has vehemently denied his father's claims that stories of his absence were embellishments for Drake's music.

Questions about Drake

How did Drake get his start in entertainment?

Drake first gained recognition as Jimmy Brooks in the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2001 to 2008. He began his music career by independently releasing the mixtapes Room for Improvement in 2006 and Comeback Season in 2007. His 2009 mixtape So Far Gone found mainstream commercial success. Due to this success, he was the subject of a major bidding war and signed with Young Money Entertainment in June 2009.

What are some of Drake's business ventures?

Drake's business portfolio is extensive. He founded the record label OVO Sound and the production company DreamCrew. He co-owns the gaming organization 100 Thieves and heads the OVO fashion line and the Nocta collaboration with Nike. He also partnered on the Virginia Black bourbon whiskey with Brent Hocking and founded the fragrance house Better World. His 2015 deal with Apple Music helped launch that streaming service.

How many Grammy Awards has Drake won?

Drake has won five Grammy Awards. One of his most significant Grammy wins was for Best Rap Album for his 2011 release Take Care. His single Over from Thank Me Later was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance, and Fancy was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Despite his commercial success and many nominations, he has been publicly critical of the awards process in the past.

What is Drake's heritage?

Drake is of mixed racial and religious heritage. His father, Dennis Graham, is an African-American Catholic from Memphis, Tennessee, who worked as a drummer. His mother, Sandra Graham, is a Canadian Ashkenazi Jew who worked as an English teacher and florist. Drake was raised in the Jewish faith, had a bar mitzvah, attended a Jewish day school, and holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.