Drake

Known initially for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Toronto native Drake (born Aubrey Drake Graham) stepped out as a rapper and singer with pop appeal in 2006, when he initiated a series of mixtapes. A year later, despite being unsigned, he scored major exposure when his cocky and laid-back track "Replacement Girl," featuring Trey Songz, was featured on BET's 106 & Park program as its "Joint of the Day."

He raised his profile throughout the next several months by popping up on countless mixtapes and remixes, and as rumors swirled about contract offers from labels, he gradually became one of the most talked-about artists in the industry. It did not hurt that he had support from the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne. By the end of June 2009, "Best I Ever Had," a promotional single, had climbed to number two on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. After an intense bidding war, Drake signed with Universal Motown in late summer and released an EP (So Far Gone) made up of songs from his popular So Far Gone mixtape. It peaked at number six on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and won a 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year.

Thank Me Later, a full-length album featuring collaborations with the Kings of Leon, the-Dream, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, was issued through Young Money the following year. On March 9, 2010, Drake released the first single from his album, "Over", and it reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On November 17, 2010, Drake revealed the title of his next studio album to be Take Care. On June 9, 2011 it was unveiled that Drake's second studio album will be released on October 24, 2011. He's now seeking beats from DJ Premier and some collaborations and background vocals from TLC members' Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas for his sophomore album. As Drake fans await the follow-up to debut album "Thank Me Later," the Toronto rapper has posted a new track, "Dreams Money Can Buy", on his October's Very Own blog morning May 20. On June 9 another track from the album, "Marvin's Room" was made available for fans to listen to. Marvin's Room was officially released on July 22, 2011, via iTunes, and as his first single from "Take Care".

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