Drake is Worth $280 Million
Remember that cute kid from “Degrassi: The Next Generation”? That’s Drake, or should we say, Aubrey Drake Graham, who has gone from playing wheelchair-bound Jimmy to being a rap god and generating a whopping $280 million net worth. Our favorite Canadian (sorry, Justin Bieber!), born in Toronto on October 24, 1986, is the genuine article and it’s that vibe that’s got him fans all over the globe.
Drizzy’s taken the best of both worlds – singing and rapping – and made it his signature style. Add in lyrics that will have you both pumped and feeling introspective and you’ve got a die-hard fanbase that can’t get enough. Awards? Check. Records broken? You bet. Boss moves in the business world? Count on it. Lavish lifestyle? You know it!
So, how did Aubrey turn those TV pastures into a multi-million-dollar rap kingdom? And what is the king spending those millions on? We’re about to dive into the life and times of the 6 God and unveil the details on his incredible journey to global stardom.
Profession | Rap Artist, Actor |
Net Worth | $280 Million |
Birthday | October 24, 1986 (Scorpio) |
Nationality | Canadian |
Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
Relationship status | Single |
How Drake Went from TV Actor to Hip-Hop Superstar: Early Career and Initial Breakthrough
Aubrey Drake Graham was born in 1986 to parents Dennis and Sandi Graham, who split when he was just five years old. Young Drake mostly grew up with his mom in the Forest Hill area of Toronto. His musician father, who maintains a somewhat turbulent relationship with his son, is nevertheless a minor celebrity with his own online presence, even becoming the subject of a song by Canadian rock group the Arkells.
Before Drake became a rap mogul, he cut his teeth as a young actor on the Canadian TV drama series “Degrassi: The Next Generation”. But it seems he always wanted to exchange the camera for a mic as his head was always turned towards music and, in particular, rap. So, taking cues from the likes of Jay-Z, Drake began exploring the music scene in the early 2000s. While his first mixtape, Room for Improvement (2006), grabbed the attention of the hip-hop community, it was his second mixtape that really got big names like Lil Wayne interested and led to Drake joining the “Tha Carter III” tour.
His 2009 mixtape, So Far Gone, built on the hype of the first two, rocketing to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning gold certification from the RIAA. The accomplishment earned him a spot on Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment label in June 2009. His first studio album, Thank Me Later, also blew up, hitting No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts in the U.S. and Canada and attaining the platinum certification from the RIAA. Today, Drake’s not just an artist – he’s a music industry powerhouse. Whether he’s going solo or collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry, he shatters records and grows bigger and bigger.
Views Around the World: Drake’s Revenue From Music & Touring
While the cover of his Views album depicts Drake sitting atop Toronto’s CN Tower, he may as well be sitting on top of the world. He has sold over 150 million records worldwide with hits like “One Dance”, “God’s Plan”, and “In My Feelings”. But album sales only represent a portion of his wealth. Tours are where he really rakes in the cash. Take the “Aubrey & The Three Migos” tour, which scored a pretty $79 million in 2018. Or the “Summer Sixteen” tour with Future, which brought in an unbelievable $84 million in 2016.
And he’s not just dominating music charts — fans can’t get enough of his music on such streaming platforms as Spotify and Apple Music. In fact, back in 2016, he partnered up with Apple Music for a cool $19 million. Drake agreed to making Views an exclusive release on the platform and in return, the man secured his own Apple Music radio show.
Drake Diversifies: Other Revenue Streams
When he’s not ruling over the music industry, Drake is ruling the board room, with his money tied up in so many lucrative ventures. First, there is his OVO clothing line. Around since 2012, it’s making moves, teaming up with big names like Air Jordan (Drake’s OVO Jordans are among the rarest and most-wanted kicks out there), Canada Goose, and the Toronto Raptors. But his interest in the fashion industry doesn’t end there: he’s got his Certified Lover Boy merch line, partnering with Chrome Hearts, that exclusive NOCTA deal with Nike, and even a home fragrance line with Better World Fragrance House.
Beyond fashion, he’s a trendsetter with his investment portfolio. He’s putting his bucks into up-and-coming sports athletes with his investment into Overtime, and has also invested in e-sports brand 100 Thieves and the Player’s Lounge, which incorporates betting into the world of e-sports. And if you weren’t convinced by his forward thinking, consider his plant-based chicken investment. He is backing Daring Foods, a company that just raised a cool $40 million in Series B funding.
Drake partnered with Brent Hocking to launch Virginia Black Whiskey in 2016. Hocking is the founder of DeLeón tequila, which he sold to Diageo and Diddy in 2013. This venture was Drake’s first foray into the liquor business. Drake, who funded the venture, received an equity stake in Virginia Black.
⛷👓 VIRGINIA BLACK @Drake pic.twitter.com/ayLuu6YvCh
— Word On Road (@WordOnRd) July 29, 2017
It’s clear that Drizzy’s killin’ it when it comes to earning dough outside his music career, taking inspiration from hip-hop entrepreneurial legends like Jay-Z, and is dead set on building an empire.
Drake’s Swanky Life and Awesome Collection: Notable Possessions
Not only does Drake know how to make money, he also knows how to spend it. Check out his jaw-dropping collection of everything from mansions to fly rides. He’s got it all. He just sold his party pad (aka The YOLO Estate) in Hidden Hills, California, for $12 million, but even that property is dwarfed by the huge 50,000-square-foot mansion in Toronto, Canada, that’s been nicknamed “The Embassy”. And it comes with everything you’d expect of a property Drake calls home: a full-size basketball court, indoor pool, recording studio, and a healthy mix of modern and traditional decor.
Drizzy also loves his wheels and has got a collection that proves it. It includes a Bugatti Veyron, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet, and a bunch of Ferraris — not one Ferrari, a bunch. And when he’s not cruising in his cars, the man took to the seas aboard his custom 200-foot yacht in 2021. He also chartered a yacht for his friends in 2022 and paid a whopping $660,000 a week for the privilege.
Drake owns a Boeing 767-200, named “Air Drake.” It is one of the largest private planes owned by an individual and was gifted to him by the Canadian cargo carrier, Cargojet. It can hold up to twenty thousand gallons of fuel, which adds up significant operating costs. Drake spent an impressive $100 million on renovations, including the fitting of leather armchairs, luxury bathrooms, and a full kitchen! It also features Drake’s signature OVO Owl painted on the fuselage.
But don’t think the money only moves in one direction. Drake’s been known to give back, too. He has built a recording studio at a youth center in Toronto, donated to hurricane relief efforts in Houston and Miami, supported cancer research, and hooked up students with scholarships. And, ya know, that’s why we love him. He’s got the luxe life, but he’s also makin’ a difference with his cash.
Drake’s Dating Game: His Personal Life and Loves
Drake’s had a number of women in his life, including Rihanna, J.Lo, and Serena Williams, just to name a few. Plus, he’s sparked some juicy rumors with gals like Zoe Kravitz, Bella Hadid, and Kylie Jenner. Right now, though, it seems like he’s loving the single life — single DAD life, that is.
In 2017, he became a father to his adorable son, Adonis, with the cool French artist Sophie Brussaux. At first, he kept the news of fatherhood under wraps but now he regularly shares pics of his son on Instagram and has even dropped a line or two about him in his songs. Throughout his career, Drake has made some real tight friends in the celeb world, frequently seen with the likes of Lil Wayne, RiRi, and Future. These BFFs helped push his career to the top, but they also seem there for him outside of the limelight, making Drake an all-around relatable and lovable guy.
OMG, Astroworld!: Major Events
Drake was a guest artist during Travis Scott’s performance at the Astroworld Festival in 2021, where eight people passed away, and many more got injured. Consequently, both artists were sued, being accused of hyping up the crowd, which caused that horrible crush that led to the tragedy. The incident shook the music world and forced it to question safety at concerts, artist responsibilities, and how to step up event planning so everyone can enjoy themselves without fear of injury. To his credit, Drizzy didn’t stay quiet. He expressed his sadness and shared his thoughts with everyone affected. He promised to pray for them and lend a hand however he could. Since the tragedy, Drake has worked towards making live shows safer for everyone.