Drake Biography

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

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. Also in 2007, Graham became the first Canadian rapper to have his music video featured on BET when his first single, "Replacement Girl" was featured as the "Joint of the Day" in April of 2007.

While working on his mixtapes and his album, Drake has worked with Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Kanye West, 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.

He has achieved this success without even signing to a major record label, according to his management Hip Hop Since 1978"

While on tour with Lil Wayne it was confirmed that he has signed with Young Money and he will appear on their upcoming collaboration album.