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Drake has collaborated with several prolific artists while creating his mix tapes as well as his
album. He has worked with artists including Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Trey Songz, Robin Thicke,
Little Brother, Mary J. Blige, and Jamie Foxx. Drake has also written for several legends like
Jazz Cartier, Bishop Brigante and Dr. Dre.
Drake has achieved all of this success without even signing to a major record label,
according to his management.
On July 4th of 2009 both “Best I Ever Had” and “Every Girl” by Young Money Entertainment
(a supergroup that includes Drake) entered the top ten at positions 3 and 10 respectively on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart. Drake is the second artist to have his first two top ten songs in the
same week. The first was also a Canada resident Nelly Furtado who made her entrance to the top ten
in 2001 with “I’m Like A Bird” the same week as Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On”, a remix of a
credited contribution from Furtado.
If Best I Ever Had were to reach the number one position, Drake would be only the second artist to
have a number one single without being singed to a major record label and have a recording contract.
The first was Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories with “Stay (I Missed You)” in 1993.
"On June 29, 2009, Drake confirmed that he would sign a record deal with Cash Money/Universal/Motown.
This would be a major move and a huge step for Drake. This was considered “one of the biggest bidding wars ever”.
Drake released his official debut album, Thank Me Later, in late 2009 early 2010. The album boasts of collaborations
with the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne.
Drake spoke about his past relationship in 2009 with Keshia Chanté on the second verse of his song
“Deceiving”, making reference to Chanté’s mother, Tessa. The verse stating “when I say I’m serious,
you claim your only teasing” and “What up Tessa? I love you like my own mama, and your daughters
getting grown mama, and me, I’m just here working, waiting, patient for her to be ready for love and leave alone drama”
Drake finally speaks with “Much Music” about his song “Deceiving” and addressed speculation of his past
relationship with Chante, “Would I call Keshia Chante an ex? I’d be proud to say she is an ex. I’m proud
to say we had our time, when we were, like 16 years old. She’s great. She’s one of the first people
in the industry that I met, we just connected.”
In 2010 after the release of Drake’s debut album, he is doing better than ever. On every station of the radio you
can hear his catchy rhymes. Tuned into every station on television, you will either see a commercial
staring Drake, hear his music as the backdrop to a show, or see dates for his upcoming tours.
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