Drake (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Drake
Drake performing in 2016
Born	Aubrey Drake Graham (1986-10-24) October 24, 1986 (age 38) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other names	Champagne Papi Drizzy 6 God The Boy
Citizenship	Canada United States
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter entrepreneur actor
Years active	2001–present
Works	Singles albums videography
Children	1
Relatives	Larry Graham (uncle) Teenie Hodges (uncle)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Hip-hop pop rap R&B pop trap
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	OVO Sound Republic Young Money Cash Money Aspire
Signature

Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986), known as Drake, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and actor. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 170 million records sold.

Drake is recognized as the highest-certified digital singles artist in the United States. He has won five Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and 39 Billboard Music Awards. He has achieved 13 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. This ties him with Michael Jackson for the most number-one singles by a male solo artist. Drake also holds records for the most top 10 singles (78) and most charted songs (332). He has the most number-one singles on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, and Rhythmic Airplay charts.

Early Life and School Days

For high school, Drake attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute (left) and Vaughan Road Academy (right).

Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario. His father, Dennis Graham, is African-American and worked as a drummer. His mother, Sandra "Sandi" Graham, is Canadian from a Jewish family. She worked as an English teacher and florist. Drake's parents divorced when he was five years old.

Drake grew up in two different neighborhoods. He lived in a working-class area of Toronto until grade six. He played minor hockey and was a promising player. However, he stopped playing after a neck injury. He then moved to a wealthier neighborhood in 2000. Drake said his family lived in the basement of a house there, as it was all they could afford.

At age 10, Drake appeared in a funny TV sketch during the 1997 NHL Awards. He attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute for high school. Later, he went to Vaughan Road Academy. Drake said this school was "not by any means the easiest." He was often bullied because of his background. He dropped out of school to focus on his acting career. Drake later earned his high school diploma in October 2012.

Music and Acting Career

Starting Out (2001–2009)

Acting on Degrassi

At 15, Drake wanted to become an actor. He got a role on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Drake played Jimmy Brooks, a basketball star who became physically disabled. Drake appeared in 100 episodes between 2001 and 2008. He said he took the role because his family was struggling financially.

Early Mixtapes and First Success

Lil Wayne, the founder of Young Money Entertainment, signed Drake to the label in 2009.

Drake released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2006. It featured artists like Trey Songz. He performed his first concert in August 2006, opening for Ice Cube.

In 2007, Drake released his second mixtape, Comeback Season. It included the song "Replacement Girl" featuring Trey Songz. This song made Drake the first unsigned Canadian rapper to have a music video on BET. The song also caught the attention of Lil Wayne, who invited Drake to join his tour. Drake and Lil Wayne recorded several songs together during the tour.

In 2009, Drake released his third mixtape, So Far Gone. It was available for free download and became very popular. The singles "Best I Ever Had" and "Successful" were big hits. "Best I Ever Had" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The mixtape was later re-released as an EP and won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2010 Juno Awards.

Because of the mixtape's success, many record labels wanted to sign Drake. He eventually signed with Young Money Entertainment in 2009. That same year, Drake joined the America's Most Wanted Tour. During a performance, he fell and injured his knee, requiring surgery.

Becoming a Star (2010–2012)

Thank Me Later Album

Drake at Bumbershoot in 2010

Drake's first official album, Thank Me Later, was released on June 15, 2010. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 447,000 copies in its first week. This made it the top-selling debut album for any artist in 2010. The album featured famous artists like Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Jay-Z.

The album's first single, "Over", reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. His second single, "Find Your Love", was even more successful, peaking at number five.

Drake also started the first OVO Festival in 2010, which became a yearly event in Toronto.

Take Care Album

Drake began working on his second album, Take Care, in late 2010. He wanted to take more time with this album to make it sound exactly how he wanted. He aimed for a mix of hip hop, R&B, and pop music.

Drake performing with Bun B in 2011

"Headlines" was released as the first single for Take Care in August 2011. It was very popular and became his tenth song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. "Make Me Proud" was the second single.

Drake during a performance in Toronto in 2011

Take Care was released on November 15, 2011. It received positive reviews from music critics. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. It was also a huge commercial success, selling 2.6 million copies in the U.S. The song "The Motto" from the album helped popularize the phrase "YOLO" in the United States.

In 2012, Drake went on the worldwide Club Paradise Tour, which became the most successful hip hop tour of that year. He also returned to acting, voicing the character Ethan in Ice Age: Continental Drift.

Continued Success (2013–2015)

Nothing Was the Same

Drake started working on his third album, Nothing Was the Same, during his European tour. He wanted this album to have a different style from Take Care. The first single, "Started from the Bottom", was released in January 2013. The second single, "Hold On, We're Going Home", became the most successful song from the album, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Nothing Was the Same was released on September 24, 2013. It debuted at number one in the US, Canada, and the UK. Critics liked the album's new sound. Drake promoted the album with the "Would You like a Tour?" tour. In January 2014, Drake hosted Saturday Night Live and was also the musical guest.

If You're Reading This It's Too Late

On February 12, 2015, Drake surprise-released If You're Reading This It's Too Late on iTunes. It sold over 1 million copies in 2015, making Drake the first artist to have a platinum project that year.

New Projects and Records (2015–2017)

What a Time to Be Alive

On September 20, 2015, Drake released a collaborative mixtape with Future called What a Time to Be Alive. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. This made Drake the first hip hop artist to have two projects reach number one in the same year since 2004.

Views Album

In January 2016, Drake announced his fourth studio album, Views. The lead singles, "Pop Style" and "One Dance", were released in April. "One Dance" became Drake's first number-one single in Canada and the US as a lead artist. It also topped the charts in the UK and several other countries. By October 2016, "One Dance" became Spotify's most-streamed song ever.

Views was released on April 29, 2016. It became Drake's most commercially successful album, staying at number one on the Billboard 200 for ten weeks. It achieved double-platinum status in the U.S. and had over half a billion streams. Drake also released a short film called Please Forgive Me featuring music from Views.

Drake hosted Saturday Night Live again in May 2016. He was also named one of the "Forbes Five," ranking among the wealthiest artists in hip-hop. Drake and Future then went on the Summer Sixteen Tour.

More Life Playlist

In late 2016, Drake announced a project called More Life, which he described as a "playlist of original music." He was Spotify's most streamed artist for the second year in a row in 2016. Drake won two more Grammy Awards in 2017.

More Life was released on March 18, 2017. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and set a streaming record. It became the highest-streamed album in 24 hours on Apple Music and Spotify. Drake won 13 awards at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, breaking the record for most wins in a single show.

Drake hosted the first annual NBA Awards in June 2017. He also appeared in The Carter Effect documentary, which honored basketball player Vince Carter.

Recent Works (2018–Present)

Scorpion Album

In January 2018, Drake released a mini EP called Scary Hours, which included the songs "Diplomatic Immunity" and "God's Plan". "God's Plan" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke several streaming records.

Drake's fifth studio album, Scorpion, was released on June 29, 2018. It was a double-album and his longest project. The album broke one-day global streaming records on both Spotify and Apple Music. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

The song "In My Feelings" from Scorpion became Drake's sixth number-one hit. It also started the viral "#InMyFeelingsChallenge." Drake later announced he would take time off to focus on television and films. He produced the TV series Euphoria and Top Boy.

Care Package and Dark Lane Demo Tapes

In February 2019, Drake won his fourth Grammy Award for "God's Plan." He re-released his third mixtape, So Far Gone, on streaming services to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. In June 2019, Drake released two songs, "Omertà" and "Money in the Grave," on his EP The Best in the World Pack. On August 2, he released the compilation album Care Package, which debuted at number one.

On December 24, 2019, Drake released the song "War". In January 2020, he collaborated with Future on "Life Is Good". On April 3, he released "Toosie Slide" with a music video featuring a dance. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Drake the first male artist to have three songs debut at number one.

On May 1, 2020, Drake released the mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes. He also announced his sixth studio album would be released later that year. In July, Drake was featured on DJ Khaled's singles "Greece" and "Popstar". These became his 24th and 25th songs to debut in the Hot 100's top 10.

Certified Lover Boy and Beyond

In January 2021, Drake became the first artist to reach over 50 billion combined streams on Spotify. On March 5, he released an EP called Scary Hours 2 with three songs. All three songs debuted in the top three on the Billboard Hot 100, a first for any artist. In May, he was named Artist of the Decade at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

Certified Lover Boy was released on September 3, 2021. It became his tenth number-one album on the Billboard 200. Every song from the album appeared on the Billboard Hot 100. Drake was named Billboard's Top Artist of the Year for 2021.

Honestly, Nevermind and Her Loss

On June 16, 2022, Drake announced his seventh album, Honestly, Nevermind, which was released the next day. It became his eleventh US number-one album. The song "Jimmy Cooks" also became Drake's eleventh US number-one song.

On October 22, 2022, Drake announced Her Loss, a collaborative album with 21 Savage. It was released on November 4 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Eight of the album's songs debuted in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

In February 2023, Drake was named the most streamed artist ever on Spotify. On April 7, he released the song "Search & Rescue". On July 23, 2023, Drake announced his poetry book Titles Ruin Everything. This also revealed the title of his eighth studio album, For All the Dogs, which was released on October 6, 2023. The lead single, "Slime You Out" featuring SZA, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Musical Style and Influences

Influences and Sound

Drake has said that Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne influenced his rapping style. He also credits R&B artists like Aaliyah and Usher for inspiring the R&B sound in his music. Vybz Kartel and other dancehall artists have influenced his Caribbean-inspired style.

Music Genres

Drake has credited Kanye West (left) and Aaliyah (right) as being his biggest musical influences.

Drake is known as a pop rap artist. His early music was mostly hip hop and R&B. In recent years, his music has also included pop and trap sounds. He has also used influences from Jamaican dancehall and UK drill music. Drake is known for mixing singing with hip hop beats, which has influenced many modern rappers. He is also credited with popularizing the "Toronto sound" in the music industry.

Achievements and Records

Drake is the highest-certified digital singles artist in the United States. His songs have sold over 142 million units. His most certified single is "God's Plan" (15 times Platinum). "Hotline Bling" and "One Dance" are certified Diamond. Drake was Spotify's most streamed artist of the 2010s.

He holds several Billboard Hot 100 chart records:

• Most charted songs by any artist (321)
• Most top 10 singles (76)
• Most top 10 debuts (61)
• Most number-one songs among rappers (13, or 14 including his uncredited feature on "Sicko Mode")
• Most number-one singles on the Hot Rap Songs (23), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (23), and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts.

In 2021, Drake became the second artist ever to have all five of the top songs on the Hot 100 in a single week, a feat only achieved by The Beatles before him.

Drake has won four Grammy Awards from 47 nominations. He has also won a record 29 Billboard Music Awards. In 2017, he won 13 awards in one night, breaking Adele's record. He was named Artist of the Decade at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. In 2016 and 2018, he was named the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year.

Business Ventures

Toronto Raptors Ambassador

On September 30, 2013, Drake was announced as the new "global ambassador" for the Toronto Raptors, an NBA team. He joined the team's executive committee. In this role, Drake helps promote the team and redesign its image and clothing line. He also hosts an annual "Drake Night" with the team.

Entertainment and Investments

Apple Music Partnership

When Apple Music launched in 2015, Drake became a key figure for the platform. He signed a deal that made his new solo music available first on Apple Music. He also created the OVO Sound Radio station on Beats 1, which he uses to debut new songs and projects. This partnership helped Apple Music grow quickly.

DreamCrew Production Company

In 2017, Drake and Adel "Future" Nur started their own production company called DreamCrew. This company works in both management and entertainment. DreamCrew has produced TV series like Euphoria and Top Boy. They also produced the sports documentary The Carter Effect.

In 2021, Drake was announced as an executive producer for Black Ice, a documentary about Black ice hockey players. DreamCrew also started producing a survival series called Chillin' Island for HBO. In June 2021, Drake partnered with Live Nation to open History, a new live-entertainment venue in Toronto.

In November 2022, DreamCrew invested in reviving Luna Luna, an art amusement park. Drake also invested in a sustainability company called Aspiration. He and LeBron James also partnered to buy the Italian soccer club A.C. Milan.

100 Thieves Gaming Organization

In 2018, Drake became a co-owner of the gaming organization 100 Thieves. This investment was partly funded by music executive Scooter Braun.

Fashion

In December 2013, Drake signed with Nike and Air Jordan. He released his own collection of Air Jordans called the "Air Jordan OVOs." He has also collaborated with brands like Canada Goose and A Bathing Ape to create clothing lines.

In December 2020, Drake launched Nocta, a sub-label with Nike. This apparel line is named after Drake's "nocturnal creative process." It features fashion-forward sportswear.

Personal Life

Drake's paternal uncles, Larry Graham and Teenie Hodges, are both guitarists and songwriters. Larry Graham was a member of Sly and the Family Stone. Teenie Hodges wrote songs for Al Green.

Drake has two dogs, an American Bully and an Akita. He dated Rihanna from 2009 to 2016.

Drake is a father to a son named Adonis, who was born on October 11, 2017, with Sophie Brussaux. Drake confirmed he was a father in 2018.

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

• Her Loss (with 21 Savage) (2022)

Tours

Headlining

• Away from Home Tour (2010)
• Club Paradise Tour (2012)
• Would You Like a Tour? (2013–2015)
• Boy Meets World Tour (2017)
• Assassination Vacation Tour (2019)

Filmography

Film

Television

Images for kids

• Mookie's Law.jpg

  Chet Walters in Mookie's Law (2008)

• Speedy Singhs.jpg

  Drake in Breakaway (2011)

• Anchorman 2.jpg

  Drake in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

• Think Like a Man Too.jpg

  Drake in Think Like a Man Too (2014)

• 6ix Rising.jpg

  Drake in 6ix Rising (2017)

• Remember Me, Toronto.jpg

  Drake in Remember Me, Toronto (2019)

• Blue Murder.jpg

  Joey Tamarin in Blue Murder (2001)

• Soul Food.jpg

  Fredrick in Soul Food (2002)

• Conviction.jpg

  Teen Fish in Conviction (2002)

• Best Friend's Date.jpg

  Dater in Best Friend's Date (2005)

• Instant Star.jpg

  Drake in Instant Star (2005)

• The Border.jpg

  PFC Gordon Harvey in The Border (2008)

• Being Erica.jpg

  Ken in Being Erica (2009)

• Sophie.jpg

  Ken in Sophie (2009)

• Beyond the Break.jpg

  Drake in Beyond the Break (2009)

• When I Was 17.jpg

  Drake in When I Was 17 (2010)

• Juno Awards of 2011.jpg

  Drake hosting the Juno Awards of 2011

• Punk'd.jpg

  Drake in Punk'd (2012)

• The Shop.jpg

  Drake in The Shop (2018)

• The Egos.jpg

  Drake in The Egos (2018)

• Saint X.jpg

  Drake as executive producer for Saint X (2023)

• Chillin' Island.jpg

  Drake as executive producer for Chillin' Island

See also

In Spanish: Drake (músico) para niños