DRAKE
Rapper · Singer · Songwriter · Actor
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Aubrey Drake Graham |
| Born | October 24, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Parents | Sandra Graham & Dennis Graham |
| Son | Adonis Graham (born 2017) |
| Acting Debut | Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001) |
| Music Debut | Room for Improvement (Mixtape, 2006) |
| Record Label | OVO Sound (Founded 2012) |
| Albums Sold | 170+ million worldwide |
Early Life
Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada. His mother, Sandra, is a Jewish Canadian school teacher, and his father, Dennis Graham, is an African-American drummer from Memphis, Tennessee. His parents divorced when he was just 5 years old.
Drake grew up mainly with his mother in Toronto but spent summers in Memphis with his father. He attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later Vaughan Road Academy. As a biracial Jewish kid, he often faced bullying in school, which eventually led him to drop out and pursue acting.
Acting Career
Before becoming a global music star, Drake was already a TV actor. In 2001, at the age of 15, he landed the role of Jimmy Brooks in the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. He played a basketball star who later becomes paralyzed.
Drake appeared in over 100 episodes of the show from 2001 to 2008, winning a Young Artist Award for his performance. This role gave him early fame and the financial freedom to chase his real dream — music.
Rise to Fame
Drake started his music journey in 2006 with the mixtape Room for Improvement, followed by Comeback Season (2007) and the breakthrough mixtape So Far Gone (2009).
His success caught the attention of rapper Lil Wayne, who signed him to Young Money Entertainment in 2009. From there, Drake became one of the most influential names in hip-hop and changed the sound of modern rap by mixing rapping with melodic singing.
Major Albums
Thank Me Later (2010)
His debut studio album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Featured hits like Find Your Love, Over, and Fireworks. Earned platinum certification.
Take Care (2011)
One of his most acclaimed albums. Won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2013. Featured iconic songs like Headlines, Marvins Room, and the title track with Rihanna.
Nothing Was the Same (2013)
Hits included Started From the Bottom, Hold On, We’re Going Home, and Worst Behavior. Cemented his place as a top rapper.
Views (2016)
Featured the iconic Hotline Bling, One Dance, and Controlla. Won 2 Grammys. One Dance became one of the most streamed songs ever.
Scorpion (2018)
A double album with hits like God’s Plan, In My Feelings, and Nice For What. God’s Plan won the Grammy for Best Rap Song.
Certified Lover Boy (2021)
Topped the Billboard 200. Featured Way 2 Sexy and Knife Talk with 21 Savage and Project Pat.
Her Loss (2022) & For All the Dogs (2023)
Her Loss was a joint album with 21 Savage that topped the charts. For All the Dogs featured the No. 1 hit First Person Shooter with J. Cole.
Awards & Achievements
Drake has built one of the most successful careers in modern music history. He is one of the best-selling music artists ever, with over 170 million records sold worldwide.
OVO Sound Record Label
In 2012, Drake founded OVO Sound (October’s Very Own) along with his producer Noah “40” Shebib and manager Oliver El-Khatib. The label has signed artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and dvsn.
OVO also became a global lifestyle brand with successful clothing lines and the famous owl logo that fans recognize worldwide.
The Kendrick Lamar Feud (2024)
In 2024, Drake was involved in a massive public rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. The feud started after J. Cole rapped about Drake, Cole, and Lamar being the “Big 3” of hip-hop.
Drake released diss tracks like Push Ups and Family Matters, while Kendrick fired back with Euphoria, Meet the Grahams, and Not Like Us — which became one of the biggest songs of 2024.
Personal Life
Drake has a son named Adonis Graham, born on October 11, 2017, with former model Sophie Brussaux. He revealed Adonis to the public in his 2018 album Scorpion.
He is also a huge basketball fan and has been the “Global Ambassador” for the Toronto Raptors since 2013. He often sits courtside at their NBA games. Drake lives in his massive Toronto mansion known as “The Embassy.”
Musical Style & Influence
Drake is known for blending rap with R&B and pop. His music often explores themes of love, heartbreak, fame, loyalty, success, and self-reflection. His emotional and melodic style changed the direction of modern hip-hop.
He has tied or broken records held by Michael Jackson and The Beatles on the Billboard Hot 100, making him one of the most chart-dominant artists of all time.
Career Timeline
Born in Toronto, Canada.
Lands acting role as Jimmy Brooks in Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Releases his first mixtape, Room for Improvement.
Signs with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment.
Debut album Thank Me Later hits No. 1.
Co-founds OVO Sound record label.
Wins first Grammy (Best Rap Album for Take Care).
Releases Views; One Dance becomes a global hit.
Son Adonis is born.
Scorpion releases; God’s Plan and In My Feelings dominate charts.
Releases Certified Lover Boy, Honestly, Nevermind, Her Loss, and For All the Dogs.
Engages in major rap feud with Kendrick Lamar.
Releases Some Sexy Songs 4 U with PartyNextDoor.
