How Drake Became World’s Most Popular Pop Artist- Drake’s Success Story
Blog Post
Drake, a Canadian rapper & singer, has maintained a strong commercial presence since his debut in 2006, whether through his own chart-topping releases or a long line of guest appearances on songs by Lil Wayne, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky. Each of his albums, from 2011's Take Care to 2018's trap-influenced Scorpion, topped charts worldwide, as did singles like the Grammy-winning "Hotline Bling" and numerous of his mixtapes, thanks to his contemplative rap style, smooth R&B crooning, and gold-touch lyricism. As his reputation grew, he aided others by financing the Weeknd's early efforts, launching the OVO Sound label, and including up-and-coming artists on his songs. Drake's consistent chart dominance, Grammy wins, nominations and meme-worthy cultural presence made him one of the world's most popular singers by the second decade of his career, and the release of albums like 2021's Certified Lover Boy became global events. Let's take a look at Drake's success story. #TWN
In March, Aubrey 'Drake' Graham had his 208th hit record on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Lil Yachty and DaBaby's appearance on Oprah's Bank Account followed several major releases from the rapper, including his first hit single Best I Ever Had, in 2009, Hotline Bling in 2015, and a guest appearance on Rihanna's 2016 blockbuster Work. Pain 1993, featuring Playboi Carti, earned Drake's 38th top-10 hit in the US in May, matching Queen of Pop Madonna. Drake is so wealthy that one mattress in his 50,000-square-foot, $100 million Toronto mansion, dubbed The Embassy, costs $400,000. (included in the price is someone who visits the property to turn it over).
It's one thing for a non-American rapper to make such an impact in hip-hop, but Drake transcends the genre. With over 28 billion streams, he was Spotify's most-streamed artist of the decade. All five of his albums, as well as three of his mixtapes, have charted at number one in the United States and around the world. He was the first artist on Apple Music to reach 10 billion streams, and he was the most-streamed musician on Spotify in 2018, with 8.2 billion. Drake is almost sure to smash more records in 2020, thanks to a new mixtape (Dark Lane Demo Tapes) and an upcoming album anticipated this summer.
Drake Biography
Graham was raised by his mother when his parents divorced when he was a little child. He frequently visited his father, a drummer with a musical family, over the summers. Graham made his Degrassi debut in 2001 as basketball sensation Jimmy Brooks. However, music was his main passion, and he began rapping at that time, using his middle name as his "nom de hip-hop." In 2006, he self-released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement. The single "Replacement Girl," featuring Trey Songz, from the follow-up, Comeback Season (2007), was featured on BET's music video show 106 & Park, enhancing Drake's prominence. He quit Degrassi in 2008 to pursue his music career.
Graham was raised by his mother when his parents divorced when he was a tiny child. He frequently visited his father, a drummer with a musical family, over the summers. Graham made his Degrassi debut in 2001 as basketball sensation Jimmy Brooks. However, music was his main passion, and he began rapping at that time, using his middle name as his "nom de hip-hop." In 2006, he self-released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement. The single "Replacement Girl," featuring Trey Songz, from the follow-up, Comeback Season (2007), was featured on BET's music video show 106 & Park, enhancing Drake's prominence. He quit Degrassi in 2008 to pursue his music career.
Drake’s Hip Hop Fame
Drake began attempting his shift into the realm of hip-hop while still starring in Degrassi.
In 2006, he released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, which sold around 6,000 copies. He followed that up with the release of Comeback Season, a mixtape in 2007. Drake's first breakthrough single and music video, "Replacement Girl," was featured as the New Joint of the Day on BET's iconic hip-hop TV show 106 & Park during Comeback Season.
Degrassi's cast was revised in 2008, with Drake's character being removed. Drake was on the edge of looking for a day job because he didn't have a consistent source of income and wasn't yet making enough money as a musician. He recalls, "I was coming to terms with the notion that... I might have to work at a restaurant or anything to keep things going." However, in early 2008, Drake received an unexpected call from rap singer Lil Wayne, who invited Drake to join his tour in Houston that night.
Drake rose quickly to the top of the music business since that phone call. Drake released his third mixtape, So Far Gone, in February 2009, after traveling and recording with Lil Wayne. It included the catchy hit "Best I Ever Had," which reached No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles list. Drake has dominated radio airwaves with his blitz of catchy, R&B-infused hip-hop songs since then. "Every Girl," "Forever," and "Money to Blow" were among his most popular hits at the time.
Drake signed a record deal with Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment in mid-2009.
Chart-Topping Success
Thank Me Later, Drake's first complete studio album, debuted at No. 1 on both the American and Canadian album charts on June 15, 2010, and has since been certified platinum. Drake's new image as hip-cocky hop's prince ("Last name ever, first name greatest," he boasts on one track) appears to clash with his Jewish upbringing and previous career as a teen drama star. Despite this, Drake tries to combine these seemingly disparate aspects of his life into a single character. Drake wears a diamond-crusted Chai on the December 2009 cover of Vibe magazine, a hip-hop style nod to his Jewish background. In addition, in his song "Who's Drake?" he raps in "The Presentation." What happened to Wheelchair Jimmy?"
Take Care, Drake's second studio album was released in November 2011 and featured songs including "Headlines," "Make Me Proud," "The Motto," and "Take Care." The album received widespread acclaim, earning the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2013, among other awards.
How did Drake get famous?
Dennis Graham, an African-American musician born in Memphis, Tennessee, and Sandi (Sher) Graham, a Canadian Jewish schoolteacher, gave birth to Aubrey Drake Graham in Toronto, Ontario. Drake starred in various advertisements as a child, including ones for Sears and GMC. Drake rose to prominence in 2001 as "Jimmy Brooks," a basketball star who is confined to a wheelchair after getting shot by a classmate on Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001). Drake debuted his music career in 2006 with the release of his first mixtape, "Room for Improvement." His third mixtape, "So Far Gone," was critically and commercially successful three years later, and he released his formal debut album, "Thank Me Later," the following year to generally positive reviews. Aubrey Drake Graham has established himself as a multi-talented young Canadian with high aspirations in the entertainment world.
Drake's Net Worth
Drake, who has a net worth of just over $180 million, does not make the Forbes Top 10 musician rich list (which is topped by Kanye West, who has a net worth of $1.9 billion), but he does appear on the same list focusing solely on the rap game, where he ranks eighth behind West, Dr. Dre, Eminem, P. Diddy, and Master P.
Unknown Facts About Drake
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Drake’s real name isn’t Drake, his real is Aubrey Graham.
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He has appeared in children’s programs, including Ice Age: Continental Drift.
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He has written songs for artists such as Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx
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Quincy Jones' autobiography is Drake's favorite book.
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"Take Care" is a collaboration between Drake and Rihanna. as well as "What's My Name"
Conclusion
Drake has always been surrounded by controversies, but despite all the hardships and barriers, Drake managed to earn a name and fame for himself and created unbreakable records in the music industry.
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