Drake Net Worth: How the Canadian Rapper Became One of the Richest Musicians in the World
Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur. He first gained recognition for his role as Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation before transitioning to music. Since then, he has become one of the most successful and wealthiest musicians in the world. In this article, we will explore how Drake amassed his fortune and what his net worth is today.
Early Life and Career
Drake net worth was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1986. His father was an African American musician from Memphis, Tennessee, and his mother was a Jewish Canadian. He attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, where he began acting and later dropped out to pursue his music career. In 2006, he released his first mixtape, Room for Improvement, which gained him some attention in the Toronto music scene.
Breakthrough Success
In 2009, Drake signed with Lil Wayne’s record label, Young Money Entertainment. He released his third mixtape, So Far Gone, which included the hit single “Best I Ever Had.” The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped propel Drake to mainstream success. He released his debut studio album, Thank Me Later, in 2010, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Music Career
Since then, Drake has released several successful albums and singles. His second album, Take Care, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2013. His fourth album, Views, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and stayed there for 13 non-consecutive weeks. In 2018, he released his fifth album, Scorpion, which also debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Entrepreneurship
In addition to his music career, Drake has also ventured into entrepreneurship. He founded his own record label, OVO Sound, in 2012. The label has signed several successful artists, including PartyNextDoor and Majid Jordan. He also has a clothing line called OVO (October’s Very Own), which sells streetwear and accessories.
Acting Career
Drake has also acted in several films and television shows. In addition to his role on Degrassi: The Next Generation, he has appeared in films such as Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and Think Like a Man Too. He also hosted and served as the musical guest on an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2014.
Endorsements
Drake has also earned a significant amount of money through endorsements. He has partnered with several brands, including Nike, Apple Music, and Sprite. In 2018, he signed a multi-year partnership with the Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corporation to launch his own cannabis brand, More Life Growth Company.
Net Worth
So what is Drake’s net worth? According to Forbes, as of 2021, Drake’s net worth is estimated to be $180 million. This makes him one of the wealthiest musicians in the world. The majority of his wealth comes from his music career, but he has also earned money through his entrepreneurship ventures and endorsements.
Philanthropy
Despite his immense wealth, Drake is also known for his philanthropy. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes and organizations over the years. In 2018, he donated $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. He has also donated money to schools and youth programs in Toronto.
Legacy
Drake’s impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. He has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career and has been credited with popularizing the “Toronto sound” in hip-hop. His influence can be heard in the music of many up-and-coming artists today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Drake’s net worth is a testament to his hard work and talent as a musician and entrepreneur. His success shows that with dedication and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams. As he continues to release new music and expand his business ventures, it will be interesting to see how much more he will add to his already impressive net worth.