Drake (rapper)

Real Name: Aubrey Drake Graham

Birthday: 10/24/1986

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Occupation: Singer

Sign: Scorpio

Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian actor, rapper and singer. He is best known for playing Jimmy Brooks, the physically disabled character on Degrassi: The Next Generation. As a rapper, he performs under the mononym Drake, and is often billed as the new version of The Fresh Prince. After rumours of signing with Young Money Entertainment, it was later confirmed that Drake is only affiliated with the label, and he is currently signed to Young Money and Universal Records. He is managed by Hip Hop Since 1978.

Early life and career

Graham was born in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Dennis Graham, a drummer who worked with Jerry Lee Lewis; his uncle is musician Teenie Hodges. His father is African American (a native of Memphis, Tennessee) and his mother is a white Jewish Canadian. His parents divorced when he was five, and he was raised by his mother in Toronto's wealthy Forest Hill neighbourhood, attending elementary school at Forest Hill Public School, and high school at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, where he began acting. He also spent many summers with his father in Memphis.

Acting career

In 2001, Graham began his acting career, playing the role of Jimmy Brooks, the physically disabled character on Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Music career

In February 2006, Drake released his first mixtape Room For Improvement. It was made available via his website and official MySpace page. From the success of his first mixtape, he later began releasing more, capitalizing from the buzz. In 2007, he released Comeback Season. In 2008, he released Heartbreak Drake. None of which were as successful as his most recent mixtape, So Far Gone, which included Drake's mentor Lil Wayne, and members of Young Money. Drake's first single "Best I Ever Had" is currently number 25 (as of Billboard issue date: 2009-05-23) on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. While working on his mixtapes, Drake has worked with Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Robin Thicke and Little Brother. Drake has also written for Jazz Cartier, Bishop Brigante and Dr. Dre. He is currently working on his debut album, Thank Me Later.

In 2008, Drake spoke about his past relationships on a song called "Deceiving" using each verse to address different women. In Verse 1, he spoke about video-girl Dia Edwards. In Verse 3, he spoke about classmate Alisha Phillips.

He then spoke about his past relationship with Keshia Chanté on the Verse 2 of his song "Deceiving", referencing Chanté's mother, Tessa, [21] stating "when I say I'm serious, you claim you're only teasing" and "What up Tessa? I love you like my own mama, and your daughters getting grown mama, and me, I'm just here working, waiting, patient for her to be ready for love and leave alone drama"

In May 2009, Drake finally spoke with MuchMusic about his song "Deceiving" and addressed speculation of his past relationship with Chanté, "Would I call Keshia Chante an ex? I'd be proud to say she is an ex. I'm proud to say we had our time, when we were, like 16 years old. She's great. She's one of the first people in the industry that I met, we just connected."[22]

In June 2009, Drake did two remixes to Chante's song "Fallen" where he addresses his love for her, on Version 1 he raps "Keshia, Keshia, do you remember the old us? They said we'd never be together that's what they told us. Immature kids, to entrepreneur kids." then on Version 2, he raps "you just hold it down for your boy until the plaques arrive, that's why I love you."

MuchMusic later asked Chanté on how she felt about Drake. She kept mum, later saying, "I will love that man unconditionally for the rest of my life. He knows what it is. We have history. I've known him since I was a little girl. We just have a love/hate relationship, so I prefer to love him from afar."

Online rumors swirled stating that Drake was in a relationship with Rihanna. Both parties denied that claim, with Drake stating "we're just good friends."[23]

Aubrey Drake Graham

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario(Canada)

Birthday: 10-24-1986

• His favorite sport is basketball. He even wants to play 1 on 1 against Bow Wow sometime
• Aubrey loves Mexican and Chinese food. His favorite junk food is ice cream.
• Aubrey's favorite films are Rounders and Two Can Play that Game.
• Aubrey's favorite book is The Autobiography of Quincy Jones.
• Aubrey has trained with young Peoples Theatre and the Showtime summer workshop.
• Height: 6'2"
• Aubrey is working on a clothing line named A&S.
• Aubrey has done commercials for GMC, Saers, M.A.C. and Toys'R'Us.
• Aubrey has a CD title B Wonder in the works.
• Aubrey is a singer and a songwriter. His favorite music is rap and R&B.
• His Idols are Pharell Williams and Denzel Washington.
• His favorite place is Los Angeles.
• His influences are: His father Dennis Graham, Uncle Teenie Hodges, and their close family friend Willie Mitchell, and of course the legendary Al Green. They, along with his close friends are the reason he's doing music. He also give thanks to any artist that he has ever listened to on a drive to Memphis Tennessee, there are too many to name but just know that they influenced him greatly.