Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham) is a Canadian rapper, singer, and actor who has become one of the most commercially successful and influential artists in modern music history. With over 85 million monthly listeners and the title of most streamed artist of all time, Drake has dominated hip-hop and pop culture for over a decade.
Overview
Drake first gained recognition as an actor on the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation in the early 2000s before transitioning to music. He signed with Lil Waynes Young Money Entertainment in 2009 and released his debut album Thank Me Later in 2010, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Known for blending rap, R&B, and pop influences, Drake has created a signature sound that balances introspective lyrics, melodic hooks, and party anthems. His emotional vulnerability and crossover appeal have made him one of the most ubiquitous artists across all genres.
Career
Early Career (2006-2009)
While still acting on Degrassi, Drake released his first mixtape Room for Improvement in 2006. His third mixtape, So Far Gone (2009), featuring Hit Em Up Style and Best I Ever Had, became a viral success and caught the attention of major labels.
Commercial Dominance (2010-2015)
Drakes first three studio albums - Thank Me Later (2010), Take Care (2011), and Nothing Was the Same (2013) - all debuted at #1 and established him as a commercial powerhouse. Take Care won the Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Drake has become the defining figure of hip-hop in the streaming era, masterfully blending genres and emotions.
Streaming Era King (2016-Present)
With Views (2016), Scorpion (2018), and Certified Lover Boy (2021), Drake solidified his status as the streaming eras biggest star. His 2018 single Gods Plan topped charts worldwide and won Grammy for Best Rap Song. For All the Dogs (2023) continued his chart dominance.
Discography
| Year | Album | Peak Position | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Thank Me Later | #1 | Platinum |
| 2011 | Take Care | #1 | 6x Platinum |
| 2013 | Nothing Was the Same | #1 | 4x Platinum |
| 2015 | If Youre Reading This Its Too Late | #1 | 3x Platinum |
| 2016 | Views | #1 | 8x Platinum |
| 2018 | Scorpion | #1 | 5x Platinum |
| 2021 | Certified Lover Boy | #1 | 3x Platinum |
| 2022 | Honestly, Nevermind | #1 | Platinum |
| 2023 | For All the Dogs | #1 | 2x Platinum |
Records & Achievements
Drake holds numerous records in the music industry:
- Most streamed artist of all time on Spotify
- 320+ entries on Billboard Hot 100 - most in history
- 13 #1 albums on Billboard 200
- 34 Billboard Music Awards - most wins ever
- 5 Grammy Awards from 51 nominations
- Gods Plan: First song to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify
- One Dance: Most streamed song on Spotify (multiple years)
Business Ventures
OVO Sound
Drake co-founded OVO Sound record label in 2012 with longtime collaborator Noah 40 Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib. The label has signed artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and Roy Woods.
Other Ventures
- October s Very Own (OVO): Fashion and lifestyle brand
- Virginia Black Whiskey: Spirit brand partnership
- Nocta: Nike collaboration line
- DreamCrew Entertainment: Production company
- Toronto Raptors Ambassador: Official global ambassador
Upcoming Projects
2026 Plans
- New Music: Album expected Q2/Q3 2026
- OVO Fest: Annual Toronto festival returning summer 2026
- Collaborations: Working with various artists on features
- Business Expansion: Growing OVO brand and partnerships