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OVO Sound

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OVO Sound
Parent companyWarner
Founded2012; 12 years ago (2012)
FounderDrake
40
Oliver El-Khatib
StatusActive
Distributor(s)
GenreHip Hop
R&B
Country of originCanada
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
Official websitewww.ovosound.com

OVO Sound (also known simply as OVO) is a Toronto-based Canadian record label, founded in 2012 by hip hop artist Drake, producer 40, and Oliver El-Khatib.[1] It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Warner Music Group's Warner Records, except for Drake's albums, which are distributed by Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

The label represents acts including Drake, PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, Roy Woods, Young Jonii, OB O'Brien, Dvsn, Plaza, Baka Not Nice, Popcaan and Smiley. In-house producers include 40, Boi-1da, DJ Prince , Nineteen85, Mike Zombie, T-Minus, and Future The Prince.

History

Drake founded the label in 2012

The label's roots can be traced back to 2006, when Drake's first official mixtape, Room for Improvement, was released under the unofficial record label "All Things Fresh" which eventually became "October's Very Own". Drake later raised the profile of the label by prominently featuring OVO throughout his music, regularly mentioning the label in songs and on stage, as well as promoting OVO merchandise.[citation needed]

The record label was officially founded in 2012 by Drake and long-time collaborators Noah "40" Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib following the success of Drake's third studio album Nothing Was the Same. According to Billboard, Drake signed a partnership deal with Warner Records similar to that of Rick Ross' record company. Though Ross is signed as a solo artist to Epic, the artists on Ross' Maybach Music Group label are signed to Atlantic Records, former partners with Warner.[citation needed]

Drake was signed as a solo artist to Republic Records through Young Money and Cash Money for nine years. Drake's 2018 release Scorpion was his last project under Young Money/Cash Money.[2] On the other hand, the artists Drake signs to OVO Sound through Warner have their content distributed through the latter.[3][4]

Upon founding the label in 2012, Drake and 40 signed frequent collaborators Boi-1da, T-Minus, Mike Zombie to the label as in-house producers (the latter two are the only active signees in the label to come outside of Canada).[5] In April 2013, it was reported that Drake was close to signing the label's first recording artist, PartyNextDoor, which he ended up revealing shortly thereafter.[6] In August 2013, Drake announced that he signed Toronto music duo Majid Jordan to OVO Sound.[7] OB O'Brien and iLoveMakonnen would soon sign in 2014, with the latter being the first non-Canadian act and second non-Canadian signee after to Mike Zombie. Makonnen would eventually leave OVO Sound in April 2016, wishing to pursue his interests as a solo artist with Warner. Canadian rap artist Roy Woods and R&B duo Dvsn, composed of singer Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85, soon joined the label in 2015 and 2016, with each act releasing an EP and studio album respectively.[8][9][10][11] In 2021, Canadian rap artist Smiley was signed to the label.[12][13][14]

Roster

Current acts

Act Year Releases
Drake 2012 9
PartyNextDoor 2013 7
Majid Jordan 2013 4
Roy Woods 2014 5
Dvsn 2015 4
Baka Not Nice 2017 1
Popcaan 2018 2
Smiley 2021 1

Former acts

Act Year Releases
ILoveMakonnen 2014–2015 3
Plaza 2017–2021 1

In-house producers

Act Year
Noah "40" Shebib 2012
Boi-1da[15] 2012
T-Minus 2012
Nineteen85 2013
Future The Prince [1] 2015

OVO Sound Radio

OVO Sound Radio was a radio program that aired on Beats 1, fortnightly on Saturdays. The show primarily aired newer material, with at least one song premiering in each broadcast. The show's initial airing was on July 11, 2015, and it was hosted by Drake and Oliver El-Khatib. The show is notable for debuting hit Drake singles, such as platinum-selling "Hotline Bling", and chart-topping "One Dance". The show ended on October 27, 2018. On March 4, 2021, Drake announced that he and Oliver would debut their new 24 hour radio station, "SOUND42" on Sirius XM featuring the return of OVO Sound Radio that same night.[16]

OVO Clothing

OVO Clothing was launched in 2011.[17] The series of clothing began with a series of collaborations between Roots Canada and OVO, which produced several parkas, jackets and other collaborations. In 2013, merchandise for the OVO figurehead included collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, which coincided with Drake becoming the franchise's Global Ambassador. OVO has since morphed into a clothing line in itself, releasing a slew of clothes during every season of the year. T-shirts, sweatshirts, varsity jackets, baseball hats, and knit beanies are seasonal installations. OVO Clothing oversaw the opening of the first OVO store for the brand's clothing in downtown Toronto, opening on December 6, 2014.[18] Exactly a year after the opening in Toronto, OVO stores expanded to the United States, opening a flagship store in Los Angeles, California. Its New York store opened in December 2016 on Bond Street, and its Chicago store in August 2019 on Walton Street in Gold Coast. OVO also opened its first location in Vancouver in December 2018.[19] Other OVO collaborations have included Canada Goose, and Air Jordan.

Its pre-2016 collection was composed of basketball shorts, OVO jerseys, track jackets, and baggy hoodies.[20][21]

On November 9, 2020, it was revealed via the OVO Clothing Instagram account that NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky would be a model for the Fall and Winter 2020 collection.[22] Gretzky and OVO Clothing founder Drake are both proud natives of southern Ontario, Canada. Also featured in the collection was former Canadian Olympian Ross Rebagliati,[23] who won a gold medal in Giant Slalom Snowboarding in the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

Discography

Studio albums

Artist Album Details Peak chart positions Certification
CAN
[A] 		US
[B]
Drake Nothing Was the Same 1 1 RIAA: 4× Platinum[34]
PartyNextDoor PartyNextDoor Two
  • Released: July 28, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 19 15 RIAA: Gold[35]
Majid Jordan Majid Jordan
  • Released: February 5, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 20 69
Dvsn Sept. 5th
  • Released: March 27, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 69 133
Drake Views
  • Released: April 29, 2016
  • Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 1 1 RIAA: 6× Platinum
Roy Woods Waking at Dawn
  • Released: July 1, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
 30 127
PartyNextDoor PartyNextDoor 3
  • Released: August 12, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 4 3 RIAA: Gold[36]
Dvsn Morning After
  • Released: October 13, 2017[37]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 19 38
Majid Jordan The Space Between
  • Released: October 27, 2017[38]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 30 74
Roy Woods Say Less
  • Released: December 1, 2017[39]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 26 92
Drake Scorpion
  • Released: June 29, 2018
  • Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 1 1 RIAA: 5× Platinum
PartyNextDoor Partymobile
  • Released: March 27, 2020[40]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 3 6
Dvsn A Muse in Her Feelings
  • Released: April 17, 2020[41]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 13 23
Dvsn, Ty Dolla Sign Cheers to the Best Memories
  • Released: August 20, 2021[42]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 – 139
Drake Certified Lover Boy
  • Released: September 3, 2021
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 1 1 RIAA: Gold
Majid Jordan Wildest Dreams
  • Released: October 22, 2021
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 – –
Smiley Buy or Bye 2
  • Released: November 12, 2021
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
 – –
Drake Honestly, Nevermind
  • Released: June 17, 2022
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 - -

Compilation albums

Artist Album Details Peak chart positions Certification
CAN US
Drake Care Package
  • Released: August 2, 2019[43]
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound[44]
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
 1 1

Soundtrack albums

Artist Album Details
Various Artists Top Boy (A Selection of Music Inspired by the Series)
  • Released: September 13, 2019[45]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.[46]
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Mixtapes

Artist Album Details Peak chart positions Certification
CAN US
Drake If You're Reading This It's Too Late
  • Released: February 13, 2015
  • Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 1 1 RIAA: 2× Platinum
Drake & Future What a Time to Be Alive
  • Released: September 20, 2015
  • Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic, OVO Sound,
    Epic, A1, Freebandz
  • Formats: LP, digital download
 1 1 RIAA: Platinum
Drake More Life
  • Released: March 18, 2017
  • Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic, OVO Sound
  • Format: Streaming, digital download
 1 1
Popcaan Vanquish
  • Released: December 20, 2019[47]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
 – –
Drake Dark Lane Demo Tapes
  • Released: May 1, 2020[48]
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Format: Streaming, digital download
 1 2
Popcaan Fixtape
  • Released: August 7, 2020
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
 15 94

EPs

Artist Album Details
Partynextdoor Partynextdoor
  • Released: July 1, 2013
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Majid Jordan A Place Like This
  • Released: July 17, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Partynextdoor Colours
  • Released: December 3, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
iLoveMakonnen iLoveMakonnen
  • Released: December 15, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Roy Woods Exis
  • Released: July 31, 2015
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
iLoveMakonnen iLoveMakonnen 2
  • Released: November 20, 2015
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Roy Woods Nocturnal
  • Released: December 21, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Partynextdoor Colours 2
  • Released: June 2, 2017
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Plaza SHADOWS
  • Released: June 10, 2017
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Partynextdoor Seven Days
  • Released: September 28, 2017
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Baka Not Nice 4Milli
  • Released: August 3, 2018
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake The Best in the World Pack
  • Released: June 15, 2019
  • Label: OVO Sound, Frozen Moments, Republic[49]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Roy Woods Dem Times
  • Released: May 15, 2020[50]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
PARTYNEXTDOOR PARTYPACK
  • Released: October 16, 2020
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake Scary Hours 2
  • Released: March 5, 2021[51]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Republic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Notes

  1. ^ References for Canadian Albums Chart[24][25][26][27][28]
  2. ^ References for Billboard 200[29][30][31][32][33]

References

  1. ^ "Drake's OVO Sound Label Teams Up With City of Toronto to Create Music Committee". Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  2. ^ "Report: Lil Wayne's UMG Deal Includes Drake and Nicki Minaj's Masters".
  3. ^ "Drake's OVO Label Flies To Warner Bros. Records – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. December 5, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  4. ^ Ugwu, Reggie. "Drake's OVO Record Label Inks Deal With Warner Bros. | News". BET. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  5. ^ "10 Artists That Should Sign To Drake's OVO Sound – Page 7 of 11 – XXL". Xxlmag.com. August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  6. ^ "Listen to PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake's New Artist Signing to OVO (Soon) – XXL". Xxlmag.com. April 22, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  7. ^ "Drake Wants New Single To Be Played At Weddings". XXL.
  8. ^ On June 10, 2017, newest signee Plaza's project, Shadow EP, debuted on OVO Sound Radio episode 45. Gilmore, Mike (August 7, 1997). "Puff Daddy Cometh". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  9. ^ Carissimo, Justin (October 24, 2016). "Drake announces 'More Life' project, shares four new songs on OVO Sound Radio". The Independent. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  10. ^ Morgan Britton, Luke (October 24, 2016). "Stream three new Drake songs from 'More Life' project". NME. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  11. ^ Willis, Jay (October 24, 2016). "Drake Just Dropped Four New Songs Off More Life as an Early Birthday Gift". GQ. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  12. ^ https://www.ovosound.com/artists#youngjonii
  13. ^ "OVO Sound Official Site Artists". OVO Sound Official Site. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "Drake Signs Toronto Rapper Smiley To OVO Sound + Blesses Him With A Verse". HipHopDX. July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "Boi-1da Shares Stories Behind Drake's "Started From The Bottom" | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop | HipHop DX". Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  16. ^ "Listen to Drake's OVO Sound Radio on SiriusXM's SOUND 42 Channel". Complex. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  17. ^ "How the OVO Clothing Label Evolved With Drake's Career". Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  18. ^ "Drake Opens Flagship OVO Store in Totonto". Fashion Network.
  19. ^ Rap star Drake’s streetwear brand to open Gold Coast store RYAN ORI, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, July 17, 2019
  20. ^ https://variety.com/2022/music/news/drake-21-savage-her-loss-album-release-1235422822/
  21. ^ Rooney, Kyle (August 10, 2016). "OVO Apparel Line Pre-fall collection". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  22. ^ "October's Very Own on Instagram: "The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. October's Very Own® / FW2020"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  23. ^ "October's Very Own on Instagram: "OVO X ROOTS / FW2020 Featuring Ross Rebagliati Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  24. ^ "Drake – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  25. ^ "PartyNextDoor – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  26. ^ "Majid Jordan – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  27. ^ "Dvsn – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  28. ^ "Roy Woods – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  29. ^ "Drake – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  30. ^ "PartyNextDoor – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  31. ^ "Majid Jordan – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  32. ^ "Dvsn – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  33. ^ "Roy Woods – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  34. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  35. ^ "Gold & Platinum – RIAA". Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  36. ^ "Gold & Platinum – RIAA". Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  37. ^ "Instagram post by dvsn • Aug 1, 2017 at 10:03pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  38. ^ "The Space Between by Majid Jordan on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  39. ^ "Instagram post by ROY WOOD$ • Aug 1, 2017 at 9:01pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  40. ^ Minsker, Evan (February 28, 2020). "PARTYNEXTDOOR Announces New Album PARTYMOBILE, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  41. ^ Ivey, Justin (April 16, 2020). "dvsn Returns With 'A Muse In Her Feelings' Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  42. ^ "dvsn and Ty Dolla $ign Announce Joint Album 'Cheers to the Best Memories'". Rap-Up. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  43. ^ Yoo, Noah (August 1, 2019). "Drake Announces New Care Package Compilation Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  44. ^ "Drake Achieves Ninth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Care Package'". Billboard. August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  45. ^ "The tracklisting for Drake's 'Top Boy' soundtrack has been revealed". NME. September 11, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  46. ^ "DRAKE & OVO SOUND PRESENT "TOP BOY" SOUNDTRACK". HipHopDX. September 12, 2019.
  47. ^ "Popcaan Releases New Mixtape Vanquish: Listen". Pitchfork. December 20, 2019.
  48. ^ "Drake's 'Dark Lane Demo Tapes': Stream It Now". Billboard. May 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  49. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 18, 2019). "Drake's 'Best in the World Pack' Serves as First Release Without Young Money or Cash Money Records". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  50. ^ "Dem Times – EP". Apple Music. May 15, 2020.
  51. ^ Moore, Sam (March 4, 2021). "Drake is releasing 'Scary Hours 2' tomorrow". NME. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
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