Are you a fan of Drake? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world can’t get enough of his music. But even though he’s a global superstar, there’s a lot about him that even the biggest fans might not know.
Drake has broken records, started trends, and made his mark in so many ways. But who is the man behind the hits? Let’s dig into 15 interesting facts about Drake that will give you a better understanding of this talented artist.
Top 15 Fascinating Facts About Drake’s Life & Career (Short Details)
- Drake Holds the Record for Most Billboard Awards: Drake won a record-breaking 13 Billboard Awards in 2017, surpassing Adele’s previous record.
- Drake Started as an Actor on ‘Degrassi’: Before becoming a music superstar, Drake played Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi.
- Lil Wayne Almost Didn’t Sign Drake: Lil Wayne initially wasn’t convinced to sign Drake, but Jas Prince helped change his mind.
- First Artist to Hit 10 Billion Streams on Apple Music: Drake became the first artist to surpass 10 billion streams on Apple Music in 2018.
- Drake’s Uncle Played Bass for Prince: Music runs in Drake’s family—his uncle, Larry Graham, played bass for Prince.
- Drake Calls Toronto ‘The Six’: Drake popularized the term “The Six” to represent his hometown, Toronto.
- Drake Has Tattoos of Sade and Aaliyah: Drake’s admiration for singers Sade and Aaliyah is shown through his tattoos.
- He Almost Produced an Aaliyah Album: Drake had plans to release an Aaliyah tribute album, which he later canceled.
- Drake Works for the Toronto Raptors: Drake serves as the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors basketball team.
- He Hosts the OVO Festival: Drake’s OVO Festival in Toronto brings together top artists and is a major event in music.
- Drake Has a Son: Drake revealed he has a son, Adonis, after keeping him out of the spotlight for some time.
- Drake Voices a Character in Ice Age 4: Drake voiced a character in the animated film Ice Age 4, marking a return to acting.
- He’s Written Songs for Other Artists: Besides his own music, Drake has written songs for stars like Alicia Keys and Rita Ora.
- Drake Designs Sneakers: Drake collaborates with Nike and Jordan to create highly sought-after sneaker collections.
- Drake Broke the Internet Playing Fortnite: Drake set a Twitch record by live-streaming a Fortnite session with Ninja, attracting 600,000 viewers.
1. Drake Holds the Record for the Most Billboard Awards in a Single Year
Drake is no stranger to success. In 2017, he set a new record by winning 13 Billboard Music Awards in just one year. This broke the previous record held by Adele, who won 12 in 2012. Drake’s achievements show his consistent dominance in the music industry. Whether it’s his catchy lyrics, smooth beats, or collaborations with top artists, Drake has found the formula for success.
This achievement wasn’t a one-off. Drake has been collecting awards throughout his career, and it seems like there’s no stopping him anytime soon.
2. Drake Started as an Actor on ‘Degrassi’
Before becoming a famous rapper, Drake was known as an actor. He starred as Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation. His character, a basketball player, ended up in a wheelchair after a tragic shooting. Drake appeared in over 140 episodes of the show. Many fans still remember him from this role, which was his first big break into the entertainment industry.
Although he’s now famous for his music, Drake’s acting days aren’t entirely behind him. He has done voice acting and could return to acting in the future.
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3. Lil Wayne Almost Didn’t Sign Drake
Drake’s rise to stardom wasn’t easy. Early in his career, Drake was posting his music on Myspace, hoping to get noticed. Jas Prince, the son of Rap-A-Lot founder James Prince, found Drake’s music and introduced him to Lil Wayne. But at first, Wayne wasn’t interested. It took some convincing, but eventually, Lil Wayne decided to sign Drake to his label, Young Money. The rest is history, with Drake becoming one of the most successful artists under the label.
This moment changed Drake’s life forever, and his partnership with Lil Wayne was a turning point in his career.
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4. Drake Was the First Artist to Hit 10 Billion Streams on Apple Music
In 2018, Drake made history by becoming the first artist to reach 10 billion streams on Apple Music. His album Scorpion played a huge role in achieving this milestone, with songs like “In My Feelings” becoming massive hits. Drake’s ability to produce chart-topping albums year after year is one of the reasons he’s been able to break so many records.
Streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify have played a significant role in Drake’s success, allowing his music to reach millions of listeners worldwide.
5. His Uncle Played Bass for Prince
Music runs in Drake’s family. His uncle, Larry Graham, is a legendary bass player who performed with Prince and Sly and the Family Stone. Larry Graham even had his own band, Graham Central Station. Drake has often talked about the influence his uncle had on his music career, and it’s clear that talent runs deep in the Graham family.
Drake’s connection to musical legends like Prince shows just how deep his roots in the music world go.
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6. ‘The Six’ Is a Nickname for Drake’s Hometown
When Drake refers to “The Six,” he’s talking about Toronto, Canada, his hometown. The term “The Six” comes from the six districts that were merged to form modern-day Toronto. Drake is incredibly proud of his roots, and he’s known for representing Toronto in his music and life. This nickname has become famous, with fans around the world now using it to refer to the Canadian city.
Drake’s love for Toronto is evident in his music, and he has played a significant role in putting the city on the global map.
7. Drake Has Tattoos of Sade and Aaliyah
Drake is a huge fan of both Sade and Aaliyah. He even has tattoos of both singers. His admiration for these artists shows just how much they’ve inspired him over the years. Many fans know about Drake’s love for Aaliyah, especially after he released the song “Enough Said,” which featured her vocals.
Drake’s choice to permanently ink their faces on his body shows how deeply connected he feels to their music and legacies.
Read more: All of Drake’s tattoos and their meanings
8. Drake Was Working on an Aaliyah Album
In 2012, Drake announced that he was working on an album featuring unreleased vocals from Aaliyah. However, after receiving heavy criticism online, he decided to cancel the project. Fans had mixed reactions, but it was clear that Drake’s love for Aaliyah was genuine.
Even though the album was never completed, Drake’s deep connection to Aaliyah is still clear in his music and interviews.
9. Drake Works for the Toronto Raptors
Drake’s love for basketball is well known. What many don’t realize is that he’s actually employed by the Toronto Raptors as their global ambassador. He doesn’t just attend games; he also helps the team with branding, charity work, and clothing collaborations through his OVO brand.
Drake’s involvement with the Raptors shows that his influence extends beyond music and into the world of sports.
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10. He Hosts the OVO Festival
Every August, Drake hosts the OVO Festival in Toronto. This event brings together some of the biggest names in music, including Eminem, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar. The festival has become a major event in the music world, and it gives Drake a chance to showcase his talents alongside other superstars.
The OVO Festival is just one example of how Drake has become a major player in the entertainment industry beyond just making music.
11. Drake Has a Son He Kept Out of the Spotlight
Drake surprised the world when he revealed that he has a son, Adonis. For a while, no one knew about his child until rapper Pusha-T exposed the secret in a diss track. Drake responded in his song “Emotionless,” explaining that he wasn’t hiding his son from the world but rather protecting his privacy.
Since then, Drake has shared more about his life as a father, showing a different side of the superstar.
Read more: Who Is Drake’s Son and Why Did He Keep Him a Secret?
12. Drake Hasn’t Given Up on Acting
Even though Drake is a music superstar, he hasn’t completely left acting behind. In 2012, he voiced a character in the animated movie Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. The film was a huge success, making nearly $900 million worldwide.
Drake’s talent as an entertainer goes beyond music, and it’s likely we’ll see him return to acting at some point.
13. He’s Written Songs for Big Artists
Drake isn’t just a performer; he’s also a talented songwriter. Over the years, he’s written hits for artists like Alicia Keys and Rita Ora. His ability to create catchy hooks and melodies has made him a sought-after songwriter in the music industry.
Drake’s songwriting skills have helped him stay relevant and respected by fellow artists in both hip-hop and pop.
14. He’s a Sneaker Designer
Drake has collaborated with brands like Nike and Jordan to release limited-edition sneakers. His OVO-branded shoes are highly sought after by sneakerheads, and they often sell out quickly. Whether it’s clothing, music, or sneakers, Drake knows how to create things that people love.
His influence in the fashion world continues to grow, adding another layer to his ever-expanding career.
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15. Drake Broke the Internet Playing Fortnite
In 2018, Drake made headlines when he played the popular video game Fortnite on a live stream with professional gamer Ninja. Over 600,000 people tuned in to watch, setting a new record for the most viewers on Twitch. This moment showed just how dedicated Drake’s fanbase is and how his influence extends beyond just music.
Drake’s ability to connect with fans in new and exciting ways has made him one of the most relevant artists in the world today.
Read more: How Ninja and Drake literally made history playing Fortnite
Conclusion:
Drake’s career is filled with amazing achievements, and he continues to break records and push boundaries. Whether it’s his music, acting, or fashion,
Drake has proven that he’s more than just a rapper. His hard work, creativity, and connection with fans have made him a global icon. There’s no doubt that Drake will continue to shape the future of entertainment for years to come.
15 FAQ’s (Frequently asked questions):
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Who holds the record for most Billboard Music Awards in a year?
Drake holds the record with 13 Billboard Music Awards in a single year, achieved in 2017.
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What TV show did Drake act in before becoming a rapper?
Drake acted in Degrassi: The Next Generation before his music career took off.
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How did Lil Wayne sign Drake?
Jas Prince introduced Drake’s music to Lil Wayne, who eventually signed him to Young Money.
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Which artist was the first to reach 10 billion streams on Apple Music?
Drake was the first artist to reach 10 billion streams on Apple Music in 2018.
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Who in Drake’s family worked with Prince?
Drake’s uncle, Larry Graham, was a bassist for Prince and Sly and the Family Stone.
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What does ‘The Six’ refer to in Drake’s songs?
“The Six” refers to Drake’s hometown of Toronto, Canada, a nickname he popularized.
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Who are the artists tattooed on Drake’s body?
Drake has tattoos of singers Sade and Aaliyah as a tribute to his admiration for them.
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Did Drake release an album featuring Aaliyah?
Drake planned an Aaliyah album but later canceled the project after facing criticism.
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What role does Drake have with the Toronto Raptors?
Drake is the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, helping with branding and events.
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What is the OVO Festival?
The OVO Festival is an annual music festival hosted by Drake in Toronto, featuring top artists.
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Does Drake have children?
Yes, Drake has a son named Adonis, whose existence he revealed in 2018.
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Did Drake appear in any movies?
Drake voiced a character in Ice Age 4: Continental Drift in 2012.
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Has Drake written songs for other artists?
Yes, Drake has written songs for artists such as Alicia Keys and Rita Ora.
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What sneakers does Drake design?
Drake designs limited-edition sneakers in collaboration with Nike and Jordan under his OVO brand.
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What is Drake’s connection to Fortnite?
In 2018, Drake broke Twitch records by live-streaming Fortnite with gamer Ninja.