Drake (musician)
Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur. Emerging from a background in acting, he has become one of the most influential figures in modern music, known for his genre-blending style and charismatic persona.
Early Life and Acting Career
Drake grew up in Toronto and Memphis, navigating a multicultural upbringing that fused the sensibilities of both cities. His early fame began with his role as Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation, where he reportedly earned about US $40,000 annually.
Musical Career
Mixtape Beginnings
Drake launched his music journey with his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, self-released in February 2006 under the label All Things Fresh. It sold around 6,000 copies that year and featured collaborations with Toronto-based producers like Boi-1da and Frank Dukes, as well as Trey Songz.
Breakthrough and Studio Albums
His breakthrough arrived with the 2009 mixtape So Far Gone, catching the attention of Lil Wayne and Young Money. Subsequent studio albums include:
- Thank Me Later (2010)
- Take Care (2011)
- Nothing Was the Same (2013)
These early releases helped establish his signature blend of rap and R&B, characterized by emotional candor and genre-fluid sounds.
Drake’s prolific discography spans eight studio albums, with recent releases including:
- Views (2016)
- Scorpion (2018)
- Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020) (mixtape)
- Certified Lover Boy (2021)
- Honestly, Nevermind (2022)
- Her Loss (with 21 Savage, 2022)
- For All the Dogs (2023)
- Some Sexy Songs 4 U (2025, collaborative with PartyNextDoor)
Singles and Chart Records
Drake holds a joint-record among male solo artists for 13 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, tying with Michael Jackson. He is also Billboard-named Artist of the Decade (2010s) and ranked as the fourth greatest pop star of the 21st century. Other chart distinctions include:
- Most top-10 singles (81)
- Most top-40 singles (217)
- Most charted songs (359)
- Most consecutive weeks on the chart (431)
Artistic Style and Influence
Drake reshaped rap with his emotional vulnerability, introspective lyrics, and genre-blending flair. Albums like Take Care turned hip-hop into a more emotionally confessional space. His mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015) shattered streaming records—only the Beatles’ record for simultaneous Billboard Hot 100 entries stood against his feat of 14 simultaneous chart placements.
With More Life (2017), Drake expanded his sound globally, integrating club, Caribbean, and African beats while sparking discussions around cultural borrowing.
Business Ventures and Entrepreneurial Pursuits
Beyond music, Drake has built a robust entrepreneurial portfolio:
- Co-founded OVO Sound in 2012 with producer Noah “40” Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib.
- Holds the title of global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors and influenced the naming of their OVO Athletic Centre.
- Co-founded the bourbon brand Virginia Black (2016), and oversees fashion ventures including OVO and Nocta, in collaboration with Nike.
- Founded DreamCrew (production company) and the Better World fragrance line.
- His cultural impact contributed to approximately 5% of Toronto’s annual tourism revenue (CAD$440 million).
- Holds a reported net worth of around US $250 million, with annual music earnings of about $50 million.
Feuds and Public Perception
Drake has been involved in several high-profile lyrical feuds, notably with Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. A recent documentary, Public Enemies: Kendrick vs Drake, delves into their feud and examines broader themes of authenticity and cultural dynamics in hip-hop.
Summary
Drake stands as one of the most influential and multifaceted artists of his generation—blending music, cultural innovation, and business savvy. From Toronto roots to global superstar, his prolific output, genre-defying music, record-breaking chart success, and entrepreneurial ventures illustrate a career that continues to redefine what it means to be a modern pop and hip-hop icon.