Drake

Who Is Drake?

Drake — born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada — is one of the most successful entertainers in the history of modern music. He is a rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur.

His journey is extraordinary. It started on a Canadian TV set. It grew into a global empire.

Today, Drake holds records that once belonged to legends. He has broken numerous Billboard records, including the most top 10 hits in Hot 100 history. He broke Michael Jackson’s record for the most chart-topping songs on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo male artist. Drake’s catalog has surpassed 100 billion global streams, making it one of the most commercially powerful in music history.

Moreover, he has done all of this while building a business empire valued at $400 million. He is not just a musician. He is a movement.

Early Life: Toronto, a Broken Home, and Music in the Blood

Growing Up in Toronto

Drake was born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada. His father, Dennis Graham, was a drummer for the legendary rock ‘n’ roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.

His parents separated when he was young. He was raised primarily by his mother, Sandi Graham. His close bond with his mother is often reflected in his lyrics.

Drake grew up with music all around him. His father’s world was rhythm and performance. His mother gave him love and stability. Both shaped the artist he would become.

A Tale of Two Neighborhoods

Drake spent his early childhood in the Forest Hill neighborhood of Toronto — one of the city’s more affluent areas. However, after his parents’ separation, he moved with his mother to a smaller home on Weston Road, a working-class area of the city.

This contrast between privilege and struggle became a recurring theme in his music. It is what makes his storytelling feel real. It is what makes his audience trust him.

Religion and Identity

Drake was raised Jewish through his mother and was bar mitzvahed. His father is African-American, and his mother is Canadian of Jewish heritage. This multicultural identity — Black, Jewish, Canadian — gave him a unique perspective that would set him apart from his peers in hip-hop.

Acting Career: Jimmy Brooks and Degrassi: The Next Generation

Landing the Role at Age 15

Before the world knew Drake as a rapper, they knew him as Jimmy Brooks.

At 15, he secured a role on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation, portraying Jimmy Brooks, a basketball player who becomes physically disabled after a school shooting. He appeared in 100 episodes from 2001 to 2008, gaining recognition among Canadian audiences.

Leaving Degrassi for Music

His role on the show ended in 2009, when producers found out that he was working on his music without their permission and gave him the choice to either continue doing the show or do his music.

Drake chose music. It was the best decision he ever made.

Music Career: The Rise of an Era-Defining Artist

Independent Beginnings: Mixtapes (2006–2008)

While he was still appearing on Degrassi, Drake began attempting to cross over into the world of hip hop. He released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006, achieving modest sales of approximately 6,000 copies. He followed that with the 2007 release of another mixtape, Comeback Season, on his own October’s Very Own imprint.

These were humble beginnings. However, they were deliberate. He was building his craft one release at a time.

The Breakthrough: So Far Gone (2009)

Then came the moment that changed everything.

Drake’s breakthrough came in 2009 with the release of the mixtape So Far Gone and its hit single “Best I Ever Had.” A bidding war between labels soon ensued, and Drake ultimately signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment, a subsidiary of Cash Money.

The single “Best I Ever Had” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It made the world pay attention. Furthermore, it made Lil Wayne reach out personally — a moment Drake has described as life-changing.

Thank Me Later (2010): The Debut That Defined a Decade

Drake’s debut studio album, Thank Me Later (2010), was a massive success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and established him as a major artist.

He was 23 years old. He had gone from a TV actor to a chart-topping debut artist in less than five years. Therefore, the industry had no choice but to take him seriously.

Take Care (2011): The Grammy Arrives

He followed this with Take Care (2011), which received critical acclaim and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. His music during this period stood out for its emotional depth and smooth blend of rap and R&B.

Take Care is widely considered one of the greatest albums of the 2010s. It introduced the world to a new kind of rapper — one who was unafraid to be vulnerable. One who could make you cry and then make you dance in the same track.

Nothing Was the Same (2013) to Views (2016): An Unbreakable Streak

Another major milestone came with Nothing Was the Same (2013), which further solidified his position in the music industry. He followed it with If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015), What a Time to Be Alive (2015) with Future, and Views (2016).

Views produced the global smash hit “One Dance.” It became one of the most streamed songs in Spotify history. Additionally, it helped make Drake the most streamed artist on the platform.

Scorpion (2018): Son, Secrets, and Streaming Records

In 2018, Drake released Scorpion — a double album. It addressed one of the most significant moments of his personal life: the revelation that he had a son named Adonis.

The album broke streaming records on its release day. Songs like “God’s Plan,” “Nice for What,” and “In My Feelings” dominated the charts throughout 2018. “God’s Plan” alone spent 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Certified Lover Boy (2021) and Honestly, Nevermind (2022)

By the second decade of his career, Drake’s constant chart domination, his Grammy wins and nominations, and his meme-worthy cultural presence made him one of the world’s most popular musicians, and the release of albums like 2022’s Honestly, Nevermind and 2023’s For All the Dogs became cultural events.

Honestly, Nevermind was a bold pivot into house and dance music. It divided fans. However, it proved that Drake would never be boxed into one sound.

Her Loss with 21 Savage (2022) and For All the Dogs (2023)

The collaboration with 21 Savage was built out into a full-length album titled Her Loss. Released in late 2022, the record relied on trap beats, melancholy synth washes, and a surprising number of disses. It topped both the Canadian Albums and Billboard 200 charts.

He followed this in 2023 with For All the Dogs. It featured guests ranging from J. Cole to Teezo Touchdown, and delivered a set of aggressive and melancholy trap songs. It was issued in October, the same day he announced a year-long sabbatical from music to focus on health issues.

The Kendrick Lamar Feud: Hip-Hop’s Most Publicized Battle (2024)

How It Started

The beef between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar began in 2024 with the track “Like That” by Lamar, Future, and Metro Boomin, in which Lamar especially aimed at Drake.

The feud went viral almost instantly. It captivated social media worldwide. Furthermore, it generated cultural conversations across every major news outlet.

Drake’s Response Tracks

In 2024, his rap career paused after he was engaged in a beef with Kendrick Lamar, during which Drake released “Push Ups” and “Family Matters” as shots aimed at the Compton rapper.

“Family Matters” debuted inside the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. However, Kendrick’s response, “Not Like Us,” went on to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 2025 ceremony.

The Lawsuit Against UMG

In 2025, Drake sued his label for defamation and harassment, claiming that the label’s promotion of “Not Like Us” undermined him. This was a landmark moment. It was one of the first times a major artist legally challenged their own label over the promotion of a rival’s diss track.

Post-Feud Era: New Music and a Triple Album Drop (2025–2026)

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U With PartyNextDoor (2025)

A heavily publicized feud with Kendrick Lamar in 2024 yielded a string of diss tracks, before Drake issued a collaborative album made with PartyNextDoor titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U subsequently debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, supplanting GNX by Kendrick Lamar and tying the Billboard record with Jay-Z and Taylor Swift for most number one albums by a solo artist.

The 2025 Wireless Festival

On February 16, 2025, it was announced that Drake would be the first artist in history to headline all three days at the 2025 Wireless Festival. Drake became the fastest artist to sell out the festival in its history, selling all tickets in minutes.

The Triple Album Drop: Iceman, Maid of Honour, and Habibti (May 2026)

In 2026, he issued three albums — Iceman, Maid of Honour, and Habibti — on the same day.

This was an unprecedented move in music history. No major artist had ever released three full studio albums simultaneously. Iceman was released on May 15, 2026, through OVO Sound and Republic Records. Its lead single “What Did I Miss?” had already been released on July 5, 2025, alongside a livestream titled “Iceman: Episode 1.”

Discography: A Legacy in Albums

Year	Title	Chart Peak	Notes
2010	Thank Me Later	Billboard 200 #1	Debut album
2011	Take Care	Billboard 200 #1	Grammy: Best Rap Album
2013	Nothing Was the Same	Billboard 200 #1	—
2015	If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late	Billboard 200 #1	—
2015	What a Time to Be Alive (with Future)	Billboard 200 #1	—
2016	Views	Billboard 200 #1	“One Dance” global hit
2018	Scorpion	Billboard 200 #1	“God’s Plan” 11 weeks at #1
2019	Care Package	Billboard 200 #1	—
2020	Dark Lane Demo Tapes	Billboard 200 #2	—
2021	Certified Lover Boy	Billboard 200 #1	—
2022	Honestly, Nevermind	Billboard 200 #1	Dance music pivot
2022	Her Loss (with 21 Savage)	Billboard 200 #1	—
2023	For All the Dogs	Billboard 200 #1	Cover art by son Adonis
2025	$ome $exy $ongs 4 U (with PartyNextDoor)	Billboard 200 #1	—
2026	Iceman	TBC	Solo return
2026	Maid of Honour	TBC	Triple drop
2026	Habibti	TBC	Triple drop

The OVO Empire: Building a Brand Beyond Music

OVO Sound and October’s Very Own

In 2012, Drake officially founded his record label, OVO Sound, with producer Noah “40” Shebib and manager Oliver El-Khatib.

What started as a small creative movement soon became a global brand. The company has helped launch and support numerous Canadian artists while expanding Drake’s influence far beyond music. OVO also strengthened Toronto’s position as a major center in the global entertainment industry.

Artists signed to OVO Sound include PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, dvsn, Roy Woods, and Smiley.

NOCTA x Nike

Drake had a very lucrative sub-brand collaboration with Nike to design custom apparel, sportswear, and highly desired sneakers under the NOCTA brand. NOCTA collections regularly sell out within minutes of release. It has become one of the most sought-after streetwear labels in the world.

Business Investments

Drake’s reported business interests include Virginia Black whiskey, esports organization 100 Thieves, financial technology company Wealthsimple, and livestream shopping platform NTWRK.

Additionally, the Stake.com deal alone generates more annually than most musicians earn in a lifetime. The UMG partnership gives him catalog security that will compound over the next few decades.

Toronto Raptors Global Ambassador

Drake serves as the global ambassador of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. He is arguably the most famous ambassador in professional basketball. Drake sits courtside at every home game. He wears OVO-branded Raptors gear. Most importantly, he has helped make Toronto a destination for NBA fans worldwide.

Television: Executive Producer and Cultural Force

Drake has extended his influence well beyond music. In addition to music, Drake has been an executive producer on several high-profile TV projects, including 2019’s Euphoria and Top Boy, 2021’s Chillin’ Island, and 2023’s Saint X.

His role in Euphoria — HBO’s generation-defining teen drama — helped shape one of the most talked-about shows of the decade. His involvement in Top Boy helped revive a beloved British crime series for a global audience.

Personal Life: Adonis, Family, and Privacy

Son Adonis Graham

Drake has one son, Adonis Graham, born on October 11, 2017, to adult film star Sophie Brussaux. Drake initially kept this private. However, he later addressed it in Scorpion.

Despite being private about his personal life, Drake shares occasional moments with his son publicly. Adonis even created the cover art for For All the Dogs in 2023. The bond between father and son is one of the most heartfelt threads running through Drake’s later career.

His Mother, Sandi Graham

Drake’s close bond with his mother is one of the most consistent features of his public persona. He has bought her a home, taken her to award shows, and referenced her in countless songs. She is widely considered his biggest champion and most loyal supporter.

Relationships

Over the years, Drake has been linked to several high-profile celebrities. These include Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Bella Hadid, and Serena Williams. However, he has never married. As of 2026, he is reportedly focused on his music career, business ventures, and family responsibilities.

Musical Style and Influences

Drake is considered a pop rap artist. Drake has cited several hip-hop artists as influencing his rapping style, including Kanye West, Jay-Z, MF Doom, and Lil Wayne, while also attributing various R&B artists as influential to the incorporation of the genre into his own music, including Aaliyah and Usher. He has also credited several dancehall artists for later influencing his Caribbean-inflected style, including Vybz Kartel, whom he has called one of his “biggest inspirations.”

His music blends hip-hop, R&B, pop, and dancehall. It is introspective and braggadocious at the same time. This rare balance is what makes him one of the most versatile entertainers of his generation.

Awards and Records at a Glance

• He has won four Grammys, three Junos, and six AMAs.
• He was named Artist of the Decade by Billboard for the 2010s.
• Holds the record for the most Hot 100 entries of any artist in history.
• He tied the Billboard record with Jay-Z and Taylor Swift for most number one albums by a solo artist.
• By 2026, Drake’s catalog has surpassed 100 billion global streams.
• Broke Michael Jackson’s record for most chart-topping songs on the Hot 100 as a solo male artist.