Drake: Biography

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• Biography
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Birth Name:

Aubrey Drake Graham

Born:

Oct 24, 1986 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Genres:

Rap & Hip-Hop Music, Gangsta and Hardcore Rap Music, Southern Rap Music

Decades Active:

2000's

Known initially for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Toronto, Ontario, native Drake (born Aubrey Drake Graham) stepped out as a rapper and singer with major pop appeal in 2006, when he initiated a series of mixtapes. A year later, despite being unsigned, he scored major exposure when his cocky and laidback track "Replacement Girl," featuring Trey Songz, was featured on BET's 106 Park program as its "Joint of the Day." He raised his profile throughout the next several months by popping up on countless mixtapes and remixes, and as rumors swirled about contract offers from labels, he gradually became one of the most talkedabout artists in the industry. It did not hurt that he had support from the likes of Kanye West, JayZ, and Lil Wayne. By the end of June 2009, "Best I Ever Had," a promotional single, had climbed to number two on Billboard's Hot RB/HipHop Songs chart. Though he was still without a label, he was prepping a proper debut album, Thank Me Later.

- Andy Kellman, All Music Guide