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Drake (musician)

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Drake

Aubrey Drake Graham (born October 24, 1986) is a Canadian actor, rapper and singer. 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] His father is African American (a native of Memphis, Tennessee) and his mother is a white Jewish Canadian.[3][4][5] He attended high school at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, where he began acting.[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 mixtapes, 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 ATF. ATF consists of T-Slack, Olivier, Photo Will, Future the Prince, Boi-1da, Yung Trane, Azuka, Mayhem Morearty, JD Era, P-Reign, Richie Sosa, Nickelus F, Jamie Baldwin, Bishop Brigante, Young Tony, 40-40 and many more. They are a part of the imprint The Wise Guys and October's Very Own. The whole crew stems from Toronto and many of them have ventured off into their own realm of music but still have that affiliation.[9] During the process of recording and writing for both mixtapes, Drake worked with a fair amount of artists to get publicity. Trey Songz was featured on both mixtapes, and Lil Wayne and Robin Thicke worked on Comeback Season. Drake has been in works with Lil Wayne in 2008 releasing songs such as "Ransom", "I Want This Forever", "Stunt Hard", "Stuntin", "I Can Take Your Girl"and "Brand New (Remix)". As well as being featured on a hot new single by Colin Munroe "Cannon Ball". He has recently signed with Interscope Records.[10]

Drake announced he has a new mixtape coming out early 2009 entitled So Far Gone. It will feature writings from the past two to three years. A collection of thoughts from 40, Jay, Jazz, Mayhem, JD and many more. Along with the progression of "So Far Gone", Drake & friends will be featured on DJ Wristpects newest mixtape, "BTG V.3". [11] He also is reportedly working on an album called Thank Me Later[12][13]

He recently said in a interview that he will be featured on a track on Lil" Wayne's Upcoming New Rock Album [1]

Discography

Official Mixtapes

  • 2006: Room for Improvement
  • 2007: Comeback Season
  • 2008: Heartbreak Drake
  • 2009: So Far Gone

Single: "Replacement Girl"

"Replacement Girl" is the first single by Drake, released in late 2006. The song was produced by Boi-1da and T.Williams. 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 & Park."You can also visit Drake's website www.thisisdrake" where you can view details of his latest mixtape 'Room for Improvement'"

Mixtape songs

  • "Ransom" (Feat. Lil Wayne)
  • "I Can Take Your Girl (Feat. Lil Wayne and Kidd Kidd)
  • "I Want This Forever" (Feat. Lil Wayne and Kidd Kidd)
  • "Stunt Hard" (Feat. Lil Wayne)
  • "Stunin'" (Feat. Lil Wayne) (Dedication 3)
  • "Brand New"
  • "A Little Bit" (Feat. Lykke Li)
  • "Sooner Than Later"
  • "Say Whats Real"
  • "Money to Blow"
  • "Cannonball" (Feat. Colin Munroe)
  • "City Is Mine"
  • "Still Fly"
  • "Girl Let Me" (Feat. Belly)
  • "Friends With Money" (Produced by Tommy Gunz)
  • "Pop Rose" (Feat. Trey Songz)
  • "Still" (Feat. Trey Songz)
  • "Brand New Remix" (Feat. Lil Wayne)
  • "Come Real" (Feat. Kyoko)
  • "Get Over It"
  • "Friends Wit Money"
  • "Swagga Like Us Freestyle"
  • "A Milli Freestyle"
  • "When We Come Around" (Feat. Nickelus F)
  • "Rewind" ( Feat. Voyce)
  • "Smile" (Feat.Voyce)
  • "All This Love" (Feat. Voyce)
  • "She Just Wanna Dance (feat. Trey Songz)

References

  1. ^ STR8HIPHOP.COM "New Jacks Interview: Drake". http://www.str8hiphop.com January 7th, 2007.
  2. ^ Moore, Tracy. "Graduating Degrassi". sceneandheard.ca, 2005.
  3. ^ HipHopCanada.com :: Interview with Drake - July 12th 2006
  4. ^ a b Jordan, Harrison (2006-12-20). "Degrassi actor says being different made him stronger". The Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved 2006-12-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Jones, Jen (12/06). "School's In for Degrassi". JV!be. Jewish Family & Life. ISSN. Retrieved 2006-12-15. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |coauthors= and |unused_data= (help); More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  6. ^ This Is Drake, website for Graham's musical ambitions.
  7. ^ "Concrete Loop: Replacement Girl". 2006-12-17. Retrieved 2008-02-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ Replacement Girl, video for Graham's debut single.
  9. ^ Notable Interviews: Aubrey "Drake" Graham Interview with NotableInterviews.com
  10. ^ All Things Fresh, official fan website of ATF.
  11. ^ "NEW MIXTAPE", News update from http://allthings-fresh.net/, June 19th 2008
  12. ^ ♫ THE NEW MUSIC REVIEW ♫ Accessed September 1, 2008
  13. ^ OCTOBER'S VERY OWN: Drake - Ransom ft. Lil Wayne, September 04th, 2008.
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