The Evolution of Drake

Summary

This video traces Drake's journey from a child actor to a global hip-hop icon. Born in Toronto in 1986, Drake started his career on the TV show *Degrassi: The Next Generation* before shifting his focus to music. His early mixtapes, like *Room for Improvement* and *So Far Gone*, caught the attention of Lil Wayne, leading to a record deal with Young Money. Drake's albums, including *Thank Me Later* and *Take Care*, solidified his superstar status with numerous hits. His influence in music continues to grow, evolving from a rapper to a cultural icon.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada, has musical talent in his blood, with his father being a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis.
• 🎬 Drake started his acting career at 15, landing a role as Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen soap opera 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' from 2001 to 2009.
• 🎶 In 2006, Drake began releasing music independently, starting with his mixtape 'Room for Improvement,' followed by 'Comeback Season' in 2007, which included his first single 'Replacement Girl.'
• 📺 Drake became the first unsigned Canadian rapper to have a music video featured on BET's 106 & Park with 'Replacement Girl,' gaining early hip-hop notoriety.
• 📞 In 2008, rapper Lil Wayne discovered Drake’s music and invited him to join his tour, which led to Drake working with him while still being unsigned.
• 💽 Drake's third mixtape, 'So Far Gone,' released in 2009, became a major success with over 2,000 downloads in the first two hours and the single 'Best I Ever Had' peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 📝 A massive bidding war for Drake’s record deal took place in 2009, and he eventually signed with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment in June 2009.
• 🏆 Drake’s first full-length album, 'Thank Me Later,' debuted at number one in June 2010, selling 447,000 copies in its first week and producing hits like 'Find Your Love.'
• 🥇 His second album, 'Take Care,' released in 2011, won a Grammy for Best Rap Album and included hits like 'Headlines' and 'Take Care' featuring Rihanna.
• 🌍 Drake's continued success includes his third album, 'Nothing Was the Same' (2013), another number one album, and a worldwide tour in 2014, further cementing his status as a hip-hop icon.

Q & A

Who is Drake and how did he start his career?

Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, is a Canadian rapper and musician. He started his career as an actor on the teen soap opera 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' before transitioning to music.

What role did Drake play on 'Degrassi: The Next Generation'?

Drake played the role of Jimmy Brooks, a character who was a basketball star that eventually became disabled after being shot.

How did Drake transition from acting to music?

While acting on 'Degrassi,' Drake began working on his music career, releasing his first mixtape 'Room for Improvement' in 2006, followed by 'Comeback Season' in 2007.

What was Drake's breakthrough in the music industry?

Drake's breakthrough came with his third mixtape, 'So Far Gone,' in 2009. The mixtape's success led to a major bidding war among record labels and ultimately to him signing with Lil Wayne's label, Young Money Entertainment.

What is the significance of the song 'Best I Ever Had' for Drake?

'Best I Ever Had' was one of the singles from Drake's mixtape 'So Far Gone,' and it became a major hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

How did Drake's relationship with Lil Wayne influence his career?

Lil Wayne played a major role in Drake's rise to fame, inviting him to join his I Am Music Tour in 2008 and helping him develop his music, which eventually led to Drake signing with Young Money Entertainment.

What was Drake's first full-length album and how was it received?

Drake's first full-length album, 'Thank Me Later,' was released in 2010. It was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and selling 447,000 copies in its first week.

What were some of the standout tracks from Drake's second album, 'Take Care'?

'Take Care' included hit tracks like 'Headlines,' 'Make Me Proud,' and the title track 'Take Care,' which featured Rihanna.

What controversies has Drake been involved in during his career?

In 2012, Drake was involved in a high-profile brawl with singer Chris Brown at a New York nightclub, allegedly over their mutual connection to Rihanna. This led to lawsuits, but Drake focused on his music afterward.

What is one of Drake's most iconic singles, and when was it released?

One of Drake's most iconic singles, 'Started From the Bottom,' was released in 2013. It was the first single from his third studio album 'Nothing Was the Same.'