User:Mznicki

INTRODUCTION
The world still has much to learn about Drake, the 22 year old up and coming Canadian rapper who is making waves all over North America. The Canadian audience will likely recognize him by his real name, Aubrey Graham, who played “Jimmy Brooks” from the popular television series “Degrassi: The Next Generation”. While we are familiar with this individual as an actor, we have yet to get to know him as a musical artist.

BACKGROUND
Drake is bi-racial, his mother is Caucasian and his father is African American. Drake has opened up during several interviews to explain how that scenario made him very different from his peers when he grew up. However, he is embracing his diversity to connect with others through his music:

"Being bi-racial and being young along with being American and Canadian [allows me to] try and cover all the bases and expand my fan base to a level that has yet to be seen. I think with the right person and the right music, people from all walks of life can come together. I know that's what my life was about. I've seen it all, so that's what I want to bring to the table."

MUSICAL HISTORY
Drake, also known as “Drizzy”, was born in Toronto, Canada and has been interested in music from a very young age. His love for listening to music and creating it does run in the family. His father, Denis Graham, is a drummer who has worked with Jerry Lee Lewis. His Uncle, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges is a rhythm guitarist who also co-wrote hits with Al Green such as “Here I Am”, “Full of Fire” and others. Drake’s father and uncle introduced him to music early on and Drake has been captivated by it ever since. He began to write his own lyrics at ten years old.

INFLUENCES
Drake also names other artists that have had a profound influence on his musical style: Kanye West, Pharell, Al Green, Frank Sinatra, Tupac – just to name a few. His own personal life experiences and surroundings have also found a place in his music. He has often said in interviews that there is really nothing wrong with being different from mainstream hip hop. Drake strives to be a fresh perspective in the hip hop game. He has described his sound as “unique, fresh, old school mixed with new school, super cool, and unlike anything you’ve heard before.”

COLLABORATIONS and CREATIVITY
While not yet signed to a major label, Drake has received massive props and “co-signs” by some very prominent rappers. He has built up a solid fan base through his mixtape releases and plenty of internet buzz through his singles. Drake has collaborated with artists such as Trey Songz, who is featured on his popular single “Replacement Girl.” He has also worked with Cash Money Records, TVT Records, BMG, and has been featured on tracks for producers Mike City, Neek Rusher, and Brian Cox. He has utilized his excellent song writing skills by penning lyrics for many up and coming R&B artists. He has also collaborated with Lil Wayne on several songs and has been rumoured to have ghost written several of Lil Wayne’s verses. Currently, Drake has several freestyles making waves in the hip hop community. Additionally, he is working on his debut album that will drop independently in 2009, although he is still being pursued by major record labels.

LYRICS
Drake has been praised for his music because of his unique lyrics and flow. His ability to deliver heartfelt, introspective, and real lyrics is a welcome change. He is fine with not being a “hard” rapper and has said the following: “The unnecessary hard vibe doesn’t intrigue me... It makes people look real ignorant. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink heavy, I wear my seatbelt most of the time, and I have sex with a condom...and I'm proud of that.”

Some excerpts of Drake’s lyrics can be read below:

“Make Things Right”

And groupies that would flock to hometown athletes And start rolling together like Snoopy and Woodstock Daffy and Bugs, it’s all laughing and hugs Till the dude catch a plane And she back where she was Right back on the bus It’s a shame, cause now at his rental She throwin’ bricks like Shaq in the clutch You can see that she’s colder Cause he doesn’t hold her ... If you a girl with the aspirations Of being in the background with ya asses shakin’ Hittin’ clubs and skippin’ out on the class you takin’ I ask you to have some patience.. You’re worth so much more

“A.M to P.M”

Time don't wait for none of us that's why I gotta chase my dreams Make my momma proud so she can show off all her pearly teeth And be half the man my dad was,I thank god he was in my life Either I need to make this music work or move from the earth I'm preachin' fire, need a choir, 'bout to take you all to church My congregation bombed the nation with this hip hop We in the race to fame, blowin' pass the pit stops I heard the prize was some chicks and a wrist watch And all you gotta do is go to jail or get shot

DISCOGRAPHY
2006: Replacement Girl ft Trey Songz (Single) 2006: Room for Improvement (Mixtape) 2007: [Comeback Season](Mixtape)

LINKS
[See also: Aubrey Graham] Drake's Official MySpace page Drake's Official Website Drake's Official Blog