Aubrey Drake Graham
October 24, 1986
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
OVO Sound
To some he’s Jimmy on Degrassi: The Next Generation. To most, Aubrey Drake Graham is better known as Drake. The most devoted fans call him Champagne Papi. The Canadian rapper first hit the scene in 2006 with a series of mixtapes before being propelled to dizzying new heights thanks to his R&B crooning combined with his songwriting prowess.
A love/hate relationship with Kanye West, a growing fashion brand, a horde of viral moments – that hotline bling meme will never die – and (possibly) a 5 per cent boost on his hometown’s economy has cemented the Toronto native as a serious hip-hop icon with unparalleled pop appeal.
Drake’s estimated net worth is $250 million as of 2022.
Drake was born on October 24, 1986 which makes him 32 years old and a Scorpio.
A 15-year-old Drake portrays basketball star Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation whose character becomes physically disabled after being shot by a classmate. In total the star appeared in 145 episodes of the Canadian teen hit.
Inspired by hip-hop greats like Jay-Z, Drake self-releases his debut mixtape Room for Improvement under the unofficial label All Things Fresh (which later becomes OVO). It purportedly sold over 6,000 copies.
Drake’s second mixtape Comeback Season is released on the newly founded October’s Very Own moniker (stylized as OVO). A Lil Wayne sample prompted the rapper to invite Drake to join his Tha Carter III tour, during which they recorded several collaborations.
Drake’s third mixtape So Far Gone, featuring hits like “Best I Ever Had,” is released for free download on the OVO website. Within two hours of release it received over 2,000 downloads and placed the young rapper amid a label bidding war. He signed with Young Money Entertainment that summer.
Drake’s debut studio album Thank Me Later is released. It debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 and racks up over 447,000 copies in its first week.
OVO Fest – founded by the star and held during Civic Holiday weekend in Toronto – has its inaugural concert. It is now notable for appearances from multi-platinum artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Nas and (former) up and comers including J. Cole, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar.
OVO Clothing is launched with a mass of merch to celebrate the upcoming 2011 OVO Fest. The collection includes the first collaboration with Roots Canada. Later, the line morphs into a clothing line of its own according releasing collections and collaborations every season.
Take Care is released, featuring guest appearances from Rihanna, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj among others.
OVO Sound label is officially launched by Drake and long-time producer, Noah “40” Shebib.
Drake’s third studio album Nothing Was The Same is released – debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200.
Drake joins the Nike Jordan Brand.
The rapper releases mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late on iTunes.
OVO Sound Radio is first broadcast on Beats 1. The show is notable for debuting hit Drake singles.
The viral video for “Hotline Bling” drops. Directed by Director X, the parody and meme-inspiring video depicts Drake dancing through a set of shapes and light, inspired by the work of artist James Turrell.
OVO opens its first flagship store in Los Angeles.
Drake’s fourth studio album, Views, outsells Beyoncé’s Lemonade in just one day.
Joe Budden reviews Views resulting in a feud between the two. Drake allegedly responded to Budden through the track “4PM in Calabasas,” leading to two separate diss tracks in the space of five days from Budden.
Drizzy grabs his first ever solo number one with “One Dance.”
Drake’s son Adonis is born to adult film star Sophie Brussaux, but the fatherhood is not confirmed until summer 2018 in new album, Scorpion.
OVO opens its London flagship, joining the Toronto, New York and Los Angeles stores.
Drake is confirmed as producer for a revival of cult British TV show Top Boy.
Rumors swirl that Drake is leaving Nike for adidas.
Once again Drake nearly breaks the internet as he plays Fortnite live on Twitch with Travis Scott.
Long standing beef with Pusha T reaches a new height with a diss track “The Story of Adidon,” dissing the rapper’s parents, his producer’s Multiple Sclerosis, his rumored deal with adidas and notably claims he fathered a secret son with former adult film star Sophie Brussaux.
The hotly anticipated Scorpion drops.
Seven of the 25 long track-list from Scorpion sit in the Billboard Top 10, shattering The Beatles’ 1964 record when five of their songs reached the Top 10 in the same week
Drake is announced as executive producer behind new HBO drama Euphoria starring Zendaya.
Kanye West apologizes to Drake in a series of tweets for his involvement in the Pusha T beef.
Drake comes under fire for his friendship with Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.
Drake sues a woman amid alleged false pregnancy and rape claims.
Drake signs with new production company, Forest Hill Pictures.
Drake begins his XS Nightclub residency.
Nike & Drake surprise-drop Raptors Air Jordans for the NBA Playoffs.
Drake, in collaboration with Live Nation, announces plans to open a new 2,500 capacity venue.
BAPE collabs with Drake’s OVO.
Releases Certified Lover Boy, performs at the Larry Hoover Benefit Concert with Kanye West.
Drake signs a deal worth at estimated $400 million at UMG.
Drake shows off his $2 million chain.
Drake and Nike drop the Nike x NOCTA Hot Step Air Terra.
Drake releases seventh album, Honestly Nevermind, with “Falling Back” music video.
Drake drops a fire collaborative album with 21 Savage, Her Loss