Drake

Artist Image: Drake

Biography

Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986), who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. In June 2009, Drake signed a recording contract with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. In November 2009, Lil Wayne released a statement announcing that Drake's first studio album, Thank Me Later, had been completed. The album was released on June 15, 2010, and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album has since gone platinum. He released his second studio album on November 15, 2011 titled Take Care. Drake was set to release an R&B mixtape sometime in the future along with a collaboration album with Lil Wayne, however, both have been postponed for various reasons. Drake has worked with several other hip-hop artists such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj. With the success of his mixtape-turned-EP So Far Gone, Drake has been nominated for several awards including Grammys, even being selected to perform at the 2010 Grammy award ceremony. Drake has also won several awards, including two Juno Awards in 2010 for Best New Artist, and Rap Recording of the Year. In addition to making his own music, Drake has also written for other artists in the industry such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx and more. He also tends to feature or remix tracks that he has written for other artists such as Unthinkable Remix by Alicia Keys. Drake also claims that he and Lil Wayne have both written for Dr. Dre's Detox album. In the list of the songs written, "Yesterday", of Diddy - Dirty Money featuring Chris Brown, written with Chris Brown, Cristyle, Kevin McCall and Mario Winans, from Diddy's fifth studio album, Last Train to Paris. Drake also wrote the song "Unthinkable", by Alicia Keys, also written with Keys and Kerry Brothers, Jr., Noah "40" Shebib, from her album The Element of Freedom. He is featured in the remix of the song. Drake was ranked No. 2 on MTV's Hottest MCs In The Game VII list in 2012. He currently has more number-one singles, twelve, on Billboard's Rap Songs Chart than any other artist, and is, other than 50 Cent, the only artist to simultaneously occupy the chart's top three positions. Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario. He is the son of Dennis Graham, a drummer who worked with Jerry Lee Lewis, and Sandi Graham, an educator. Two of his uncles, Larry Graham and Teenie Hodges, are also musicians. Drake's father is an African American from Memphis, Tennessee, and Drake's mother is a Jewish Canadian. He attended a Jewish day school and had a Bar Mitzvah. His parents divorced when he was five years old, and he was raised by his mother in Toronto's wealthy Forest Hill neighborhood. Drake attended high school at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, where he began acting, but did not graduate. He spent most summers with his father in Memphis. Drake stated that his parents' divorce greatly affected him as a person, saying, “I had to become a man very quickly and be the backbone for a woman who I love with all my heart, my mother."

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 2009
Number of Albums 46
Record Label OVO Sound
Website www.drizzydrake.org
Wikipedia Drake on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

In what soap did Drake first appear?

Degrassi: The Next Generation

...Drake first came to prominence in the teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation in the role of Jimmy Brooks, a wheelchairbound character he played for s...
How long did Drake play Jimmy Brooks in Degrassi: The Next Generation?

seven years

...n the role of Jimmy Brooks, a wheelchairbound character he played for seven years . Early Life Born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto...
When was Aubrey Drake Graham born?

Toronto, Canada

... years. Early Life Born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada , Drake grew up with music in his blood. An uncle, Larry Graham, pl...
Who played bass for Sly and the Family Stone?

Larry Graham

...in Toronto, Canada, Drake grew up with music in his blood. An uncle, Larry Graham , played bass for Sly and the Family Stone. Drake says that his mothe...
What band did Larry Graham play bass for?

Sly and the Family Stone

...th music in his blood. An uncle, Larry Graham, played bass for Sly and the Family Stone . Drake says that his mother, Sandi Graham, also hails from a v...
Who did Drake's grandmother babysit?

Aretha Franklin

...aham, also hails from a very musical family his grandmother babysat Aretha Franklin . Drake comes from an eclectic and unique ethnic and religious back...
Where did Drake feel isolated?

Forest Hill Collegiate Institute

...ke recalls. Despite his Jewish upbringing, Drake says he felt isolated at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute , his virtually allwhite people high school....
What was Drake known for initially for his role as?

Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation

...anna, and AAP Rocky. Known initially for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation , the Torontoborn Aubrey Drake Graham stepped out as...
Who was the Joint of the Day on BET's 106 & Park?

Replacement Girl

...signed, he scored major exposure when his cocky and laidback track Replacement Girl , featuring Trey Songz, was featured on BET's 106 & Park program as...
Along with Jay Z and Lil Wayne, who was a notable supporter of his artist?

Kanye West

...n the industry. It did not hurt that he had support from the likes of Kanye West , JayZ, and Lil Wayne. By the end of June 2009, Best I Ever Had, a pro...
What number did Best I Ever Had climb to by the end of June 2009?

two

...f June 2009, Best I Ever Had, a promotional single, had climbed to number two on Billboard's Hot R&BHipHop Songs chart. After a fierce bidding war, Dr...
Who did Drake sign with in late summer?

Universal Motown

...BHipHop Songs chart. After a fierce bidding war, Drake signed with Universal Motown in late summer and released an EP, So Far Gone, made up of songs f...
How did Drake win a Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year?

2010

...rom his popular mixtape of the same title. Billboard 200 chart and won a 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. Thank Me Later, a fulllength f...
Who did Drake collaborate with on a full length album called Thank Me Later?

Kings of Leon

...Year. Thank Me Later, a fulllength featuring collaborations with the Kings of Leon , theDream, JayZ, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, was issued through Youn...
What was the name of the song that was released in June 2010?

Thank Me Later

... 200 chart and won a 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. Thank Me Later , a fulllength featuring collaborations with the Kings of Leon, theD...
Who certified the song platinum?

Recording Industry Association of America

...l Wayne, was issued through Young Money in June 2010. Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America ....
Where did Drake spend summers with his father?

Memphis

...Sometimes, he spent summers with his father in Memphis . He had started writing songs since he was ten years old. However, he began his career in showb...
When did Drake start writing songs?

ten years old

...ith his father in Memphis. He had started writing songs since he was ten years old . However, he began his career in showbiz industry as a small screen...
What was Drake's first role as a junior high schooler?

Jimmy Brooks

...October 24, 1986, got his first role as a junior high schooler named Jimmy Brooks on Canadian teen drama TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation. As y...
What was Drake's first indie mixtape?

Room for Improvement

...ry. In February 2006, he released his first indie mixtape titled Room for Improvement . The next year, he returned with another independent mixtape Com...
When did Drake release Room for Improvement?

February 2006

... actor, Drake couldn't resist trying his hands at music industry. In February 2006 , he released his first indie mixtape titled Room for Improvement. T...
Where did Replacement Girl peaked on the Bubbling Under R&BHipHop Singles chart?

number 21

...xtape Comeback Season. One of its singles, Replacement Girl, peaked at number 21 on Bubbling Under R&BHipHop Singles chart. Under the assistance of th...
What commercials did Drake appear in as a young man?

Sears and GMC

...ng man, Drake appeared in several commercials, for such retailers as Sears and GMC . In 2001, Drake rose to fame playing the role of Jimmy Brooks, a ch...
When did Drake rise to fame playing the role of Jimmy Brooks?

2001

...appeared in several commercials, for such retailers as Sears and GMC. In 2001 , Drake rose to fame playing the role of Jimmy Brooks, a character on Deg...
What was Drake's acting school called?

Young Peoples Theater

... in Toronto Canada, Drake studied at an acting school called the Young Peoples Theater . Moved from Toronto in Canada to the United States to pursue a ...
Drake moved to the United States to pursue what?

rap career

...heater. Moved from Toronto in Canada to the United States to pursue a rap career . He's now rapping as a solo rapper, using his middle name Drake. July...
Where did Drake grow up?

Toronto, Ontario

...He grew up very poor, raised by his mother in Toronto, Ontario . Drake has described his teacher mother as godlike, but she became bedridden from vario...
What did Drake describe his teacher mother as?

godlike

...s mother in Toronto, Ontario. Drake has described his teacher mother as godlike , but she became bedridden from various health issues: She smoked cigar...
What neighborhood did Drake spend some of his adolescence in?

Forest Hill

...despite spending some of his adolescence in the affluent neighborhood Forest Hill . I moved to Forest Hill in the sixth grade. My mother happens to be ...
When did Drake move to Forest Hill?

sixth grade

... the affluent neighborhood Forest Hill. I moved to Forest Hill in the sixth grade . My mother happens to be a Jewish woman. She wanted the best for her...
What did Drake say in behind the scenes footage from his HYFR music video?

I'm proud, a proud young Jewish boy

...ed. Drake has also spoken proudly of his Jewish heritage. I'm proud, a proud young Jewish boy , Drake said in behindthescenes footage from his HYFR mus...
What race is Drake?

mixedrace

... culture than any other. Drake Famed hiphop artist Drake was born to a mixedrace couple in Canada in 1986, and raised Jewish. He came to fame playing ...
How many seasons did Drake play Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation?

seven

...d raised Jewish. He came to fame playing wheelchairbound Jimmy Brooks in seven seasons of the popular teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation. In 2006...
When did Drake sign a record deal?

2009

...rake began circulating mixtapes of his raps, and signed a record deal in 2009 . His hit songs include Every Girl, Best I Ever Had, Money to Blow and Ta...
Who is Drakes mother?

Sandi Graham

...legendary rock star Jerry Lee Lewis, and Drake says that his mother, Sandi Graham , also hails from a very musical family. Drake comes from an eclectic...
What year was Aubrey Drake Graham born?

1986

...Aubrey Drake Graham, rapper, singer, songwriter, actor (born 24 October 1986 in Toronto, ON). Aubrey Drake Graham, rapper, singer, songwriter, actor (...
What is the name of the rapper, singer, songwriter, actor who was born in Toronto, ON in 1986?

Aubrey Drake Graham

... Aubrey Drake Graham , rapper, singer, songwriter, actor (born 24 October 1986 in Toronto, ON). Aubrey Drake Graham, rapper, singer, songwriter, actor (...
In what Canadian television series did Drake first gain attention for his role?

Degrasssi: The Next Generation

...ttention for his role on the hit Canadian television series Degrasssi: The Next Generation before becoming one of the most popular and influential fig...
Introspective lyrics explore what topics?

personal relationships

...nd his introspective lyrical approach, which often explores his personal relationships . His atmospheric, ambient sound has proven highly influential. ...
How many songs has Drake had on the Billboard Hot 100 chart?

100

...o and Grammy Award winner set the record for the most No. He has also had 100 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, ranking him fourth alltime, ahead ...
Which NBA team did Drake become a global ambassador for in 2013?

Toronto Raptors

...as named global ambassador for the National Basketball Associations Toronto Raptors . Early Years and Education Drakes parents Jewish teacher Sandi Gra...
When did Drake's parents divorce?

when he was five years old

...merican musician Dennis Graham of Memphis, Tennessee divorced when he was five years old . Drake lived primarily with his mother in the Weston Road are...
What is the name of Drake's fourth album?

Views

...ich debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. Drake's fourth album, Views (2016), sat atop the Billboard 200 for 13 nonconsecutive weeks, becomin...
Who released his second commercial mixtape?

More Life

...rt recordsetting lead single One Dance. His second commercial mixtape, More Life (2017), set thenmultiple streaming records, and in 2018, he released ...
What was Drake's lead single?

One Dance

... so in over a decade, and featured the chart recordsetting lead single One Dance . His second commercial mixtape, More Life (2017), set thenmultiple st...
In what year did Drake leave Young Money?

2018

...es God's Plan, Nice for What, and In My Feelings. Leaving Young Money in 2018 , Drake's third commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes was released in 2...
What was Drake's third commercial mixtape?

Dark Lane Demo Tapes

...s. Leaving Young Money in 2018, Drake's third commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes was released in 2020, and featured the charttopping Toosie Slide...
When was Dark Lane Demo Tapes released?

2020

...8, Drake's third commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes was released in 2020 , and featured the charttopping Toosie Slide. As an entrepreneur, Drake f...
Who did Drake start the OVO Sound record label with?

40

...neur, Drake founded the OVO Sound record label with longtime collaborator 40 in 2012. In 2013, Drake became the new global ambassador of the Toronto R...
Who did Drake collaborate with to create Virginia Black?

Brent Hocking

...facility. In 2016, he began collaborating with American entrepreneur Brent Hocking on the bourbon whiskey Virginia Black; it eventually broke sale rec...
What bourbon whiskey broke sales records in Canada?

Virginia Black

...ing with American entrepreneur Brent Hocking on the bourbon whiskey Virginia Black ; it eventually broke sale records in Canada. Drake is also a fashio...
When did Graham's parents divorce?

when he was a small child

...arge following. Early life and career Grahams parents divorced when he was a small child , and he was raised by his mother. During the summers he often...
What was Grahams father's occupation?

drummer

...raised by his mother. During the summers he often visited his father, a drummer whose family was musically connected. In 2001 Graham was cast as baske...
When did Drake self-publish Room for Improvement?

2006

... de hiphop. He selfpublished his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006 . The followup, Comeback Season (2007), included the single Replacement G...
What was the name of Drakes follow-up Mixtape?

Comeback Season

...hed his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006. The followup, Comeback Season (2007), included the single Replacement Girl, featuring Trey Songz...
Whose song Replacement Girl was featured on?

Trey Songz

...meback Season (2007), included the single Replacement Girl, featuring Trey Songz ; the track was highlighted on BET s music video show 106 & Park, incr...
What video show increased Drakes exposure?

106 & Park

...uring Trey Songz; the track was highlighted on BET s music video show 106 & Park , increasing Drakes exposure. Later that year the label put out So Far...
When did Drake release So Far Gone?

2007

...t mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006. The followup, Comeback Season ( 2007 ), included the single Replacement Girl, featuring Trey Songz; the track ...
What famous musician did Dennis Graham work for?

Jerry Lee Lewis

... father, Dennis Graham, worked as a drummer for legendary musician, Jerry Lee Lewis , and his mother, Sandi Graham, was an English teacher and a floris...
When did his parents divorce?

when he was 5 years old

...e, while his being Jewish is a cool twist. His parents divorced when he was 5 years old , following which he was raised by his mother in Toronto. His f...
Where was he raised by his mother?

Toronto

...when he was 5 years old, following which he was raised by his mother in Toronto . His father moved back to America and settled in Memphis, where Drake ...
Drake dropped out of school and completed his high school diploma in what year?

2012

...ol, later dropped out of school and completed his high school diploma in 2012 . He witnessed hardship early on in his life. His father was arrested whi...