Drake Started at the Bottom. Now, He’s a Music Superstar and Philanthropic Elite
Remember Jimmy, from the show Degrassi? Yeah — he’s come a long way since then. The artist currently known as Drake is a record-breaking rapper whose ubiquity in pop music is virtually unchallenged; not even Beyoncé has greater chart visibility. And that’s just for starters. When he’s not rapping over laid-back, playlist-ready beats, Drake is reshaping meme culture; sponsoring products; and doing his part to make the world a better place.
Breaking Records Left and Right
It’s probably fair to say that, back in his TV days, nobody expected him to be the towering pop music presence he is today. In 2018, Drake’s been setting the charts on fire, tearing down some of the most hallowed Billboard records. His latest album, Scorpion, won him the Most Simultaneously Charted Hot 100 titles (27 songs) and also the Most Simultaneous Hot 100 Top 10s (dethroning The Beatles). And that’s not all. The album scored him the Most Top 100 Hot 100 Debuts in a Week, and the Most Top 10 Hot 100 Debuts Ever!
His records aren’t just on the Top 100 charts. A true mogul of the streaming era, Drake also used Scorpion to score the all-time single-week streaming record, and to chart the most streaming hits within a single week.
The Most Memeable Rapper?
So the guy’s a pretty accomplished rapper — but as it turns out, his music also feeds off of meme culture, where Drake remains a consummate trend-setter. More than any other rapper, Drake has leveraged Instagram to build his celebrity and connect with his fans, paving the way for countless other IG rappers such as Cardi B and Tierra Whack. His penchant for social media has paid off handsomely, and has even earned him the title of “most memeable rapper” ever!
His social media stardom and his music are really two sides of the same coin, and Drake is savvy about using one to grow the other. For example, look no further than to the hashtag-fueled dance challenges he’s offered, using his social media fans to send his songs and videos viral — songs and videos like “In My Feelings,” and “Hotline Bling.”
An In-Demand Ambassador
For a figure so commanding and so influential, it goes without saying that Drake’s been given some opportunities for product endorsements. He has a long-running collaboration with Apple Music, an ongoing deal with Jordan, and he’s been a proud advocate for Sprite. Plus, the Canadian rapper is the Toronto Raptors Global Ambassador — always happy to rep for the home team!
Philanthropic Superstar
In all of this, Drake also finds time for philanthropy — and again, he’s savvy about bringing music into the equation: Notice how he used the “God’s Plan” music video to give money away.
And there’s a lot more where that came from — including major donations to a Jamaican Learning Center, support for the Union Gospel Mission of Portland, the inauguration of Houston Appreciation Week, and even Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Clearly, Drake is a talented dude but it’s not just his musical acumen that makes him a star. He’s uniquely talented at maneuvering his celebrity stardom — building his brand while also making the world around him a better place.
