Drake

Born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Dennis Graham (African-American drummer from Memphis who worked with Jerry Lee Lewis) and Sandi Graham (Canadian Jewish educator and florist); parents' interracial marriage and musical background provided early exposure to diverse cultures and rhythms in a vibrant Toronto household.

Early childhood in Toronto's Weston Road area; family dynamics included frequent visits from father despite emerging tensions; young Aubrey showed curiosity and sensitivity in a biracial household navigating cultural identities.

Continued family life in Toronto; parents' relationship strained amid father's legal issues in the U.S.; seeds of resilience planted in a home filled with music from both parental influences.

Ongoing early development; exposure to father's drumming and mother's Jewish traditions began shaping multifaceted worldview; family emphasized education and emotional expression.

Family life centered on Toronto routines; parents' challenges intensified, setting stage for upcoming divorce.

Parents divorced; raised primarily by mother in affluent Forest Hill neighborhood after moving for better opportunities; attended Jewish day school where he experienced bullying for being biracial and Jewish, fostering early introspection.

Continued elementary education in Forest Hill; summers often spent with father in Memphis, exposing him to Southern hip-hop and R&B roots; developed interest in performing arts.

Ongoing schooling; participated in local activities; family supported creative outlets amid single-parent household challenges.

Deepened cultural awareness through Jewish upbringing including Hebrew school; explored writing and early rapping influenced by television and radio.

Continued education; family moved within Toronto areas; maintained connection to father's musical heritage.

Attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute; balanced academics with growing interest in basketball and arts; navigated identity in predominantly white affluent area.

Ongoing middle school years; transferred to Vaughan Road Academy for more diverse environment; began developing performance skills.

Continued at Vaughan Road Academy; explored acting through school productions; bar mitzvah preparations deepened Jewish cultural ties.

Celebrated bar mitzvah; intensified interest in hip-hop and writing lyrics; family supported extracurriculars including sports.

Ongoing high school; friend's father (acting agent) introduced him to audition opportunities; landed role on Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Began portraying Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi in 2001; balanced filming with school; acting provided early income supporting household.

Continued Degrassi filming; gained teen fame in Canada; explored music production in spare time.

Ongoing acting career; Degrassi popularity grew; began recording demo tracks influenced by mentors like Jas Prince.

Degrassi role continued; dropped out of high school briefly but graduated later; focused increasingly on music aspirations.

Released debut mixtape Room for Improvement independently; acted in final Degrassi seasons; transitioned fully toward music.

Released Comeback Season mixtape featuring 'Replacement Girl' (first video on BET); attracted attention from Lil Wayne.

Released So Far Gone mixtape; massive breakthrough with hits like 'Best I Ever Had'; signed with Young Money Entertainment.

Released Thank Me Later debut album; massive commercial success; embarked on first major tours.

Released Take Care; critical and commercial acclaim; won first Grammy; relationship with Rihanna began publicly.

Club Paradise Tour; expanded OVO brand beginnings; continued chart dominance.

Released Nothing Was the Same; personal reflections on fame; Aaliyah posthumous collaborations.

Ongoing global tours; founded OVO Sound label; hosted OVO Fest in Toronto.

Released surprise project If You're Reading This It's Too Late; Views from the 6 preparations amid Apple Music deal.

Released Views; 'One Dance' global smash; Summer Sixteen Tour; beef with Meek Mill.

Released More Life playlist project; continued record-breaking streams.

Released Scorpion double album; revealed fatherhood of son Adonis publicly.

Ongoing tours and collaborations; Pusha T diss track revelations impacted personal narrative.

Pandemic impacts; released Dark Lane Demo Tapes; focused on family.

Released Certified Lover Boy; massive anticipation and success.

Released Honestly, Nevermind dance-influenced album; surprise shift in sound.

Released Her Loss collaborative album with 21 Savage; major hits and tours.

Released For All the Dogs; It's All a Blur Tour with 21 Savage.

Intensified feud with Kendrick Lamar through diss tracks; cultural battle dominated headlines.

Feud aftermath including legal actions against UMG over 'Not Like Us' promotion; reflected on battles in new music; continued tours leaning into narrative.

Named Apple Music's most-streamed artist of 2025; achieved record-breaking streams including over 40 million on Christmas Day; teased upcoming album ICEMAN with updates and blunt messages during streams; lawsuits related to Kendrick feud dismissed; maintained massive cultural influence amid post-beef reflections and new project anticipation.