Drake
Born 1986 · Age 39
Canadian rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur known as Drake; rose to fame on Degrassi and became one of the world's best-selling music artists and founders of OVO Sound and other ventures.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Toronto
Aubrey Drake Graham born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Dennis Graham and Sandra 'Sandi' Graham.
Appeared in NHL Awards sketch
At about age 10 Drake appeared in a comedic sketch aired during the 1997 NHL Awards.
Bar mitzvah (Jewish day school background)
Raised partially Jewish, Drake attended Jewish day school and had a bar mitzvah.
Cast as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation
Began starring as Jimmy Brooks on the CTV teen drama (role/acting income supported family).
Young Artist Award (ensemble) for Degrassi
Early acting recognition: Young Artist Award for ensemble (Degrassi).
Released debut mixtape 'Room for Improvement'
Self-released first mixtape (adopted stage name 'Drake'); sold roughly 6,000 copies.
First paid concert (opening for Ice Cube)
Performed his first concert at Kool Haus nightclub opening for Ice Cube; earned $100.
‘Replacement Girl’ video featured on BET
Single from Comeback Season ('Replacement Girl' feat. Trey Songz) was featured as BET's New Joint of the Day, boosting exposure.
Released mixtape 'Comeback Season'
Second mixtape released under October's Very Own imprint (early use of OVO name).
Left Degrassi to focus on music
Departed Degrassi as music career became primary focus; faced financial uncertainty prior to breakout.
‘Best I Ever Had’ peaks at #2 on Billboard Hot 100
Breakout single from So Far Gone reached #2, giving Drake mainstream attention.
Released mixtape 'So Far Gone'
Third mixtape released on OVO blog; spawned hits 'Best I Ever Had' and 'Successful', major breakthrough.
Signed with Young Money Entertainment (Lil Wayne)
Secured a major-record contract after bidding war (widely reported $2 million advance).
Joined America's Most Wanted Tour; tore ACL
Joined Young Money/label tour in July; during a July performance in Camden, NJ he fell and tore anterior cruciate ligament.
Released single 'Over'
Lead single for debut album Thank Me Later; peaked at #14 on the Hot 100 and earned Grammy nomination.
Released debut studio album 'Thank Me Later'
Debut album debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 with over 447,000 first-week sales.
Hosted inaugural OVO Festival
Launched OVO Festival in Toronto following tour success (OVO brand expansion into live events/fashion).
Started Away From Home Tour
First major headlining tour in support of Thank Me Later; 78 shows across multiple legs.
Released 'Marvins Room' (promotional single)
Promotional release for Take Care that later reached 3× Multi-Platinum and became an R&B staple.
Released second studio album 'Take Care'
Take Care released; critically acclaimed and later became multi-platinum.
Founded OVO Sound record label (with 40)
October's Very Own became an official label (OVO Sound) and collective; signed/represented artists and expanded brand.
Acting credit: Voice role in Ice Age: Continental Drift
Provided voice for Ethan in the animated film, marking return to acting (film released 2012).
OVO brand expanded into fashion (OVO label)
OVO expanded into apparel/fashion; later collaborations with Canada Goose, Nike (Nocta), Timberland and retail stores followed.
Club Paradise Tour (worldwide)
Worldwide tour supporting Take Care; became most successful hip-hop tour of 2012, grossed over $42 million.
Named Global Ambassador of the Toronto Raptors
Appointed global ambassador and joined the Raptors' executive committee (later obtained naming rights to practice facility).
Won Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (Take Care)
Take Care won the Grammy for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
Released 'Nothing Was the Same'
Third studio album debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 with 658,000 first-week sales; global chart-topping release.
Hosted and musically guest-starred on Saturday Night Live
Returned to mainstream TV as both host and musical guest (praised for comedic timing).
Surprise release: 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late'
Unexpected digital release of project; sold over 1 million units in 2015 and stirred label/contract rumors.
Released collaborative mixtape 'What a Time to Be Alive' (with Future)
Quickly recorded Atlanta collaborative mixtape; debuted at #1 and later certified 2× Multi-Platinum.
Began collaboration on Virginia Black bourbon
Started collaborating with Brent Hocking on Virginia Black bourbon (Drake as a spirits entrepreneur/partner).
‘One Dance’ becomes Drake's first US and UK #1 single
Lead single from Views reached number one in multiple territories.
Summer Sixteen Tour (with Future) becomes highest-grossing hip-hop tour
Pollstar reported the tour grossed $84.3 million across 56 dates.
Obtained naming rights to Raptors practice facility (OVO Athletic Centre)
As part of Raptors ambassadorship/partnership, Drake later obtained naming rights to the team's practice facility, called OVO Athletic Centre.
Founded DreamCrew production company (approx.)
Founded production company DreamCrew, which later executive-produced TV series like Euphoria (exact founding year not always specified).
Released fourth studio album 'Views'
Album previewed in London then released April 29; sat atop Billboard 200 for 13 weeks and achieved multi-platinum status.
Released 'More Life' (playlist/project)
Described as a 'playlist of original music'; debuted at #1 with 505,000 album-equivalent units and set 24-hour streaming records.
Won 13 Billboard Music Awards
Record-breaking wins at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.
Hosted first annual NBA Awards
Hosted the NBA Awards ceremony (June 26, 2017).
Won Grammy Awards (59th): Best Rap/Sung Performance & Best Rap Song
At the 59th Grammys (early 2017 ceremony), Drake secured additional Grammys (for 'Hotline Bling' related categories).
Became a father (public acknowledgment later)
Became a father to son Adonis (son born October 2017; Drake publicly confirmed later via album lyrics in 2018).
Reported economic impact on Toronto tourism
Reports credited Drake with generating roughly 5% (CAD$440 million) of Toronto's CAD$8.8 billion annual tourism income (2018 reporting).
Released EP 'Scary Hours' and single 'God's Plan'
'God's Plan' debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later became Diamond-certified.
Released album 'Scorpion'
Double album that broke single-day global streaming records on Spotify and Apple Music; sold 749,000 album-equivalent units first week.
'In My Feelings' reaches #1
Third single from Scorpion reached #1 on Billboard Hot 100; made Drake record-holder among rappers for most #1 hits.
Entered cannabis sector (More Life Growth Co. with Canopy Growth)
Announced partnership/venture with Canopy Growth to produce/distribute cannabis products under More Life Growth Co.
Won Grammy Award for Best Rap Song ('God's Plan')
Received Grammy for 'God's Plan' at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards; speech cut to commercial, causing controversy.
Released 'The Best in the World Pack' (EP) – 'Omertà' and 'Money in the Grave'
Two-song EP released to celebrate the Toronto Raptors NBA Championship.
Released compilation album 'Care Package'
Collection of older songs initially unavailable commercially; debuted at #1 with 109,000 album-equivalent units first week.
Released 'Toosie Slide' (debuted #1)
Danced-driven single debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100; accompanying TikTok/social component.
Released 'Dark Lane Demo Tapes' (commercial mixtape)
Compilation of new songs and internet-leaked tracks; debuted at #2 on US Billboard 200 and #1 in UK.
Surpassed 50 billion combined streams on Spotify
First artist to surpass 50 billion combined Spotify streams.
Released 'Scary Hours 2' EP—three songs debut top three
Three songs ('What's Next', 'Wants and Needs', 'Lemon Pepper Freestyle') debuted at #1, #2, #3 on Billboard Hot 100.
Released 'Certified Lover Boy'
Sixth studio album; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 and set record (then) for most US top-ten songs from one album (9).
Re-signed with Universal Music Group (multifaceted deal)
Signed a reported deal with UMG said to be worth as much as $400 million (one of largest record contracts reported).
Released 'Honestly, Nevermind'
Seventh studio album surprise-released June 17; debuted at #1 with 204,000 album-equivalent units first week.
Released 'Her Loss' (with 21 Savage)
Collaborative album (initially planned Oct 28, delayed to Nov 4); debuted #1 with 404,000 album-equivalent units first week.
Named most-streamed act ever on Spotify
Spotify confirmed Drake as the most-streamed artist in its history (as of Feb 2023).
Announced poetry book 'Titles Ruin Everything'
Announced new poetry book 'Titles Ruin Everything'—concurrent with announcement for upcoming album 'For All the Dogs'.
Released 'For All the Dogs'
Eighth studio album debuted at #1 with 402,000 album-equivalent units first week; multiple top-10 debuts.
Remixed 'Act II: Date @ 8' with 4Batz
Posted a remix with newest OVO signee 4Batz as part of ongoing releases and OVO signings.
Kendrick Lamar diss sparks feud
Kendrick Lamar dissed Drake on 'Like That', triggering a high-profile multi-track rap feud in 2024.
Released 'Push Ups' and 'Taylor Made Freestyle' (responses)
Released response tracks amid the 2024 feud (one leaked early then released officially).
Released 'The Heart Part 6' (response series track)
Dropped 'The Heart Part 6' referencing Kendrick Lamar's series during the feud.
Lawsuit vs Universal Music Group (reported)
Reportedly sued UMG for defamation and harassment (Britannica notes Jan 2025 legal action).
Announced 'Some Sexy Songs 4 U' with PartyNextDoor
Announced collaborative album which released on Feb 14, 2025.
Released 'Some Sexy Songs 4 U' (debuted #1)
Collaborative album debuted at #1 on Billboard 200; tied record for most #1 albums by a solo artist.
First artist to headline all three days at Wireless Festival
Announced as first artist in history to headline all three days at Wireless Festival; tickets reportedly sold out in minutes.
Released single 'What Did I Miss?'
Single previewed the night before via his Iceman: Episode 1 livestream and released July 5, 2025.
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