Drake first gained fame as Jimmy Brooks, a wheelchair-bound character he played for seven years in the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. After leaving the show, he became one of the most renowned rappers in the world, signing with Lil Wayne’s label, Young Money Entertainment. His name rarely disappears from the headlines, whether it’s about his relationships with Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez, founding his own label OVO Sound, or representing the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as their global ambassador. It’s no surprise that Jay-Z once called him the Kobe Bryant of hip-hop. Read more about him on torontonka.
Early Life
Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada. Drake grew up with music in his blood. His father, Dennis Graham, was a drummer for rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis. His uncle, Larry Graham, played bass for Sly and the Family Stone. Drake credits his mother, Sandi Graham, with also coming from a “very musical” family—his grandmother once cared for Aretha Franklin. Drake’s heritage is eclectic and uniquely diverse. His father is an African American Catholic, while his mother is a white Canadian Jew. Speaking about his identity, Drake said:
“At the end of the day, I consider myself a Black man because that’s the culture I’m most immersed in. But being Jewish is also cool. It makes me unique.”
Drake’s parents divorced when he was five years old, and he was raised by his mother in Forest Hill, a wealthy and predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Toronto. He attended a Jewish day school, celebrated his bar mitzvah at 13, and observed major Jewish holidays with his mother.
“My mom always made Hanukkah fun,” Drake recalls. “When I was younger, she gave me great gifts and made latkes.”
Despite his Jewish upbringing, Drake felt isolated at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, a mostly white school. He said:
“Nobody understood what it was like to be Black and Jewish,” adding, “Being different from everyone else made me stronger.”
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Drake’s entry into the entertainment industry came through a classmate at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute.
“There was a kid in my class whose dad was an agent,” Drake explained. “His dad said, ‘If there’s anyone in the class that makes you laugh, have them audition for me.’ After my audition, he became my agent.”
Soon after, in 2001, Drake landed a role in the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. The show focused on the dramatic lives of a group of high school students, and Drake portrayed Jimmy Brooks, often referred to as “Wheelchair Jimmy,” a basketball star paralyzed after a school shooting.
Drake dropped out of school to focus on acting, eventually earning his high school diploma in 2012. He appeared on Degrassi for seven years (2001–2009), winning a Young Artist Award in 2002 for Best Ensemble in a TV Series. The show garnered a cult following in Canada, making Drake a household name, even though he remained relatively unknown in the United States.
Music Career
While still appearing on Degrassi, Drake began transitioning into the hip-hop world. In 2006, he released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, selling about 6,000 copies. He followed up with another mixtape, Comeback Season (2007), under his own October’s Very Own imprint (later shortened to OVO). The project featured Drake’s first hit single, “Replacement Girl,” which aired on BET’s 106 & Park.
Importantly, one track on the mixtape used Lil Wayne’s song “Man of the Year,” with Drake retaining Wayne’s verses and hook. This caught the attention of Jas Prince, son of Rap-A-Lot Records founder James Prince, who introduced Drake’s music to Lil Wayne.
In 2008, producers of Degrassi reshuffled the cast, cutting Drake’s character. Without steady income and with limited success as a rapper, Drake contemplated finding a day job.
“I was ready to work at a restaurant or do something to keep things moving,” he said.
But in early 2008, he received an unexpected call from Lil Wayne, who invited him to join his Carter III tour. After touring and recording tracks with Wayne, Drake released his third mixtape, So Far Gone (2009), featuring the infectious single “Best I Ever Had,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another track, “Successful,” a collaboration with Wayne and Trey Songz, was named one of Rolling Stone’s “25 Best Songs of 2009.” Drake’s blend of hip-hop and R&B began dominating the airwaves.
In mid-2009, Drake signed a record deal with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. However, his career had a rocky start when he tore his ACL during the America’s Most Wanted Tour, requiring surgery. Despite this setback, his career trajectory only went upward.
Thank Me Later and Grammy Wins
On June 15, 2010, Drake released his debut studio album, Thank Me Later. It debuted at No. 1 on both the U.S. and Canadian album charts and quickly went platinum. Drake’s confident persona as hip-hop’s prince seemed to contrast with his middle-class Jewish upbringing and teen soap opera background. However, he sought to merge these identities, even wearing a diamond-encrusted Chai necklace on the December 2009 cover of Vibe magazine to celebrate his Jewish roots.
In November 2011, Drake released his second studio album, Take Care, which included hits like “Headlines,” “Make Me Proud,” and “The Motto.” The album earned widespread critical acclaim, winning a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2013, among other accolades.
Feuds with Chris Brown and Meek Mill
Despite his career success, Drake faced personal challenges. His feud with fellow artist Chris Brown over singer Rihanna escalated into a violent altercation at a New York nightclub in 2012, injuring multiple patrons. Both artists faced legal consequences, with lawsuits filed by NBA player Tony Parker and other victims.
Around the same time, Drake settled another legal dispute with former girlfriend Ericka Lee, who claimed co-writing credits on “Marvin’s Room.” He also faced lawsuits from Rappin’ 4-Tay and the estate of jazz musician Jimmy Smith. Additionally, a verbal feud with rapper Meek Mill erupted in 2015 after Mill accused Drake of using a ghostwriter. Drake responded with diss tracks “Charged Up” and “Back to Back,” solidifying his reputation in the rap world.
Drake’s ability to blend vulnerability with swagger has set him apart in the music industry. From his start as a Canadian teen actor to becoming one of the biggest names in global music, his journey is a testament to resilience and reinvention.