Drake (musician)
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Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian actor and rapper. He is known for playing Jimmy Brooks, the physically disabled character on Degrassi: The Next Generation. As a rapper, Graham uses the stage name Drake, and is often billed as the new version of The Fresh Prince.[1]
Personal life
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.[2] Aubrey Graham's father is African-American (a native of Memphis, Tennessee) and his mother is a white Jewish Canadian.[3][4][5] He attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and began acting during high school.[4]
Career
Since 2001, Graham has played Jimmy Brooks, the student who was injured in a school shooting at Degrassi Community School, making him the first main character with a physical disability on Degrassi: The Next Generation. He also appeared in the film Charlie Bartlett, co-starring Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey, Jr., which was released on February 22, 2008.
As a rapper, Graham has two self-published mix tapes, Room for Improvement and Comeback Season, under the stage name Drake.[6] He shot a video for his debut single "Replacement Girl" which features R&B singer Trey Songz.[7][8] He also made a cameo appearance in Trey Songz's "Wonder Woman" video. Graham also has an independent record label called October's Own.[9] During the process of recording and writing for both mixtapes, Drake worked with a limited amount of artists so people can get a feel for Drake. The obvious Trey Songz was featured on both mixtapes, and Lil' Wayne and Robin Thicke dropped their two cents on Comeback Season. A young talent also from Toronto knew Aubrey since his days on Degrassi, but both parties have brought truth to that rumor.[10]
Drake announced he has a new mixtape coming in August of 2008 entitled "So Far Gone".[11]
Discography
Mixtapes
- Room for Improvement (2006)
- Comeback Season (2007)
Single: Replacement Girl
Replacement Girl is the first single released by Drake. The song was produced by T.Williams and Boi-1da. R&B singer Trey Songz is prominently featured in the song as well. The music video was the first video by an unsigned Canadian artist to premiere and play on BET's 106 and Park.
References
- ^ STR8HIPHOP.COM "New Jacks Interview: Drake". http://www.str8hiphop.com January 7th, 2007.
- ^ Moore, Tracy. "Graduating Degrassi". sceneandheard.ca, 2005.
- ^ HipHopCanada.com :: Interview with Drake - July 12th 2006
- ^ a b Jordan, Harrison (2006-12-20). "Degrassi actor says being different made him stronger". The Canadian Jewish News.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|access date=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Jones, Jen (12/06). "School's In for Degrassi". JV!be. Jewish Family & Life. ISSN.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|unused_data=and|coauthors=(help); More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help); Unknown parameter|access date=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ This Is Drake, website for Graham's musical ambitions.
- ^ "Concrete Loop: Replacement Girl". 2006-12-17.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|access date=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Replacement Girl, video for Graham's debut single.
- ^ Notable Interviews: Aubrey "Drake" Graham Interview with NotableInterviews.com
- ^ All Things Fresh, official fan website of ATF.
- ^ "NEW MIXTAPE", News update from http://allthings-fresh.net/, June 19th 2008
External links
- Official Website
- Official MySpace
- Aubrey "Drake" Graham Interview on NotableInterviews.com
- Drake at IMDb
- Graham interview (August 13, 2005)