The complete timeline of Drake's rise to stardom, from starring on 'Degrassi' to his record-breaking reign as a rapper

Callie AhlgrimMay 24, 2021, 22:38 IST

Drake is the stage name of Aubrey Drake Graham.Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella

Drake has one of the most unexpected and impressive careers in the music industry.
The now-iconic rapper released his first-ever mixtape in 2006 and left "Degrassi" in 2008.
He has won four Grammys, broken several streaming records, and released nine No. 1 projects.

These days, Drake is almost more myth than man.

The 34-year-old is rap music's unlikely sovereign; he lays claim to nine No. 1 projects and has outsold all the classic "greats," including Tupac, Jay-Z, and Eminem.

Most recently, he dropped two compilations and is currently preparing to release his sixth official studio album, "Certified Lover Boy."

So how did a former child actor from Canada manage to surpass his own mentors, date Rihanna, win four Grammys, and boast more top-10 hits in a single year than The Beatles?

Here's a complete timeline of Drake's major life events and his peerless rise to global stardom.

Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986.

Drake's father is from Memphis, Tennessee, while his mother is Canadian. @champagnepapi/Instagram

He grew up "very poor," raised by his mother in Toronto, Ontario.

Drake often shares childhood photos on social media. @champagnepapi/Instagram

In 2001, at 14 years old, he landed a role on the famous Canadian teenage drama "Degrassi."

Drake makes his first appearance as Jimmy in the third episode of season one, "Family Politics." degrassi/YouTube

He started writing song lyrics as a teenager.

19-year-old Aubrey Graham, AKA Drake, at the 20th Annual Soul Train Music Awards. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

In one episode of "Degrassi," Drake's character even raps.

The song was called "Tell Me Lies." YouTube

In 2008, Drake quit acting in order to pursue music full time.

Drake with his fellow "Degrassi" cast members Cassie Steele, Shane Kippel, and Shenae Grimes on October 2, 2007. Scott Gries/Getty Images

On February 13, 2009, he released his third mixtape to critical acclaim.

Drake attending the Grammys on December 2, 2009. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Drake was romantically linked to Rihanna for the first time in May 2009.

Drake and Rihanna have had their ups and downs. Frazer Harrison/Jason Merritt/Getty Images

In June 2009, Lil Wayne signed Drake to his new label, Young Money.

Lil Wayne and Drake perform at the Grammys in 2010. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

He teamed up with Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem to produce a song for the LeBron James documentary in August 2009.

Drake in the music video for "Forever." Drake/YouTube

On June 15, 2010, Drake's debut studio album "Thank Me Later" dropped after much anticipation.

Drake performs at the Vh1 Hip Hop Honors on June 3, 2010. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

He hosted the first-ever OVO Fest in August 2010.

Drake has become known for repping his city. Arthur Mola/Invision/AP

Drake released his Grammy-winning sophomore album, "Take Care," on November 15, 2011. It has gone quadruple platinum.

He was also nominated for "Best Rap Performance" and "Best Rap Song" at the 55th Grammy Awards. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

On November 29, 2011, Drake released "The Motto" as a single, which is credited with popularizing the acronym "YOLO."

Drake in the music video for "The Motto." Drake/YouTube

In July 2012, Drake returned to acting with a voice role in "Ice Age: Continental Drift."

Drake's character Ethan (left) takes a liking to Peaches (right), voiced by Keke Palmer. 20th Century Fox

Drake retroactively earned his high school degree on October 18, 2012.

He worked with Kim Janzen, who teaches at Vaughan Road Academy in Ontario, over the course of five months. Robin Marchant/Getty Images for ESPN

Drake released "Hold On, We're Going Home" on August 7, 2013. It was the lead single off his new album and its most successful.

The music video was labeled a short film. Drake/YouTube

Drake hosted "Saturday Night Live" for the first time on January 18, 2014, and also served as the musical guest.

He joked about his Canadian roots and Jewish upbringing in his monologue. NBC

In 2015, dubbed the "Year of Drake," he became the first hip-hop artist since 2004 to have two No. 1 projects in the same year.

Drake performing in 2015. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The "Hotline Bling" music video was released in October of 2015 - and would go on to rack up over one billion views.

You'll probably recognize this visual. Drake/YouTube

"One Dance" took over the world on April 5, 2016.

Drake performed "One Dance" when he returned to host "SNL" on May 14, 2016. Dana Edelson/NBC

He returned to host "SNL" on May 14, 2016 and spoofed his own rapping.

Drake in the digital short "Drake's Beef." Will Heath/NBC

Drake's "playlist of original music" broke the single-day album streams record for every music service in March 2017.

Drake won 13 awards at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in May, which broke the record for the most wins in a single show. David Becker/Getty Images

In September 2017, Drake made his debut as a film producer with a documentary called "The Carter Effect."

Drake also appeared in the documentary. Netflix

Drake secretly became a father in October 2017.

Sophie Brussaux, the reported mother of Drake's son, posted this photo in November 2017. @sophieknowsbetter/Instagram

"God's Plan" broke Taylor Swift's record for the most streams in a single day in the US in January 2018.

The music video, which saw Drake give away almost one million dollars, was released on February 16, 2018. Drake/YouTube

Drake traded barbs with Pusha-T in May 2018, culminating in the latter's devastating diss track "The Story of Adidon."

Pusha-T used an old photo of Drake wearing blackface for the single's cover art. Insider

Drake released his longest-ever album "Scorpion" on June 29, 2018.

Drake has pulled out all the stops for this tour. @champagnepapi/Instagram

He dropped two compilation albums in 2019 and 2020.

"Toosie Slide" was released as a single on April 3, 2020. Drake/YouTube

Drake made history in March 2021 by debuting three songs in the Billboard Hot 100 top three simultaneously.

"What's Next" was released on March 5, 2021. Drake/YouTube

He was honored as Billboard's artist of the decade the 2021 BBMAs.

Drake onstage at the BBMAs on May 23, 2021. Christopher Polk/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

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