The Canadian hip hop star, and multi-Grammy award winner, has merged music with fashion, influencing his large fan base with his combination of high fashion and streetwear. He has collaborated with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Canada Goose, and Clarks, and produces his own clothing line under the record label OVO (October’s Very Own.)
Drake’s status in fashion was cemented with collections for Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers. He has also joined forces with British label Clarks for a line of footwear, and helped popularise the label Canada Goose through regular collaborations that began in 2010, producing winter jackets. In 2014, Parisian store Colette carried an exclusive collection of OVO. In June 2017 Drake released his single Signs at Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2018 Men’s collection in Paris.
Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham, grew up with music in his blood. His father Dennis Graham, was a drummer for musician Jerry Lee Lewis, while his uncle was a bass guitarist. He rose to prominence in Canada for playing wheelchair-bound Jimmy Brooks on TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Drake’s career quickly leapt after signing a deal with Lil Wayne’s label Young Money Entertainment in 2009. His first album, Thank Me Later, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, while his subsequent studio album Take Care, reached Platinum in both the United States and Canada.
OVO began as an informal record label, gaining popularity due to regular mentions in Drake’s music. After it was officially co-founded in 2012, Drake went on to sign over 40 artists as collaborators, and create a namesake fashion label which has retail stores in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles.
In 2015, Hotline Bling, the lead single for his fourth album Views, went viral. The Moncler Puffer Jacket and Timberland boots featured in the video sold out almost immediately.
Drake is also an avid NBA fan. He was named a global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, and hosted the first-ever NBA Awards in 2017.
