#Drake30 How I met @Drake's family at the 2010 #Junos #HappyBirthdayDrake

Drake and younger Kay Jeezy 2010 (Facebook.com/HNNAfrica)

Drake's Late Uncle Steve  (Facebook.com/HNNAfrica)

Drake's mom Sandy Graham and Kay Jeezy (Facebook.com/HNNAfrica)

This story has been said over and over again. It was Kay Jeezy my teen son who by fate made it happen. He went to the toilet and on coming back he recognized Ms Sandy. Sandy Graham, Drake's mom was entering the restaurant where we were about to have dinner when KJ hurried to her to come meet his mom a music journalist and eat with us. Sandy obliged.

Drake on the other hand came in and couldn't find his mom. Then the waiters brought him over to us and voila, we all took pictures and he did an endorsement for KJ's old blog The Kid Reporter. KJ has been blogging since 6yo and his blog got accolades from Canadian media who all interviewed him while we were there 2007-2012.

Drake's uncle Steve passed away 2 years later. It was a difficult day for all of us. He cancelled his concert and rushed back to Toronto. Uncle Steve will forever be remembered. Hear his advice to my son on becoming big like Drake. I'm sure he's pretty happy about all Drake's success looking down from heaven.

#Drake30 Here are photos of @Drake's past birthdays #HappyBirthdayDrake

Facebook.com/HNNAfrica

Drake's 28th birthday in Atlanta had everyone from Wale to famous DJ's and his regular entourage and crew including CJ, Chubbs and bestie P.Reign. He also invites us yearly to his OVO concert in Toronto with a lavish afterparty. Photos by Prince Williams/ATLPics

#Drake30 A TOUR of one of @Drake's homes in #America #HappyBirthdayDrake

Just look at the cozy indoor lake in this house. Just thought I should show you this. Drake has homes all over the place now and is building a billion dollar mansion in Toronto as we speak. when that's ready, I'll be at the house warming. lolz--KOO 

How @Drake made it so BIG at 30 yo #Drake30 Happy Birthday Drizzy!

He focused on that work. In the next post, Ms Sandy told my son Kay Jeezy that you must have a funky mom who loves your music and his late uncle Steve also told my son it is "hard hard work.".

What else can I tell you about Drizzy? A big overall success. Many haters in Canada did not even think he would make it to 30 yo let alone this BIG at 30. Happy Birthday to a music giant with so many strides.

He won an MTV Africa Music award over the weekend and also made history for the most streams globally on Spotify for his track "One Dance." His album "Views" made a billion streams on Apple Music. Drake also picked up a Grammy last year, has the most nominations in next month's American Music awards and also snagged an award in last month's BET Hip-Hop awards. The sky is not even the limit--KOO

Happy 30th Birthday to my son Aubrey Drake Graham (@Drake) #OctobersVeryOwn #HNNBirthday

What else can I tell you about Drizzy? A big overall success. Many haters in Canada did not even think he would make it to 30 yo let alone this BIG at 30. Happy Birthday to a music giant with so many strides. He won an MTV Africa Music award over the weekend and also made history for the most streams globally on Spotify for his track "One Dance." His album "Views" made a billion streams on Apple Music.

How I met Drake: In 2007 on the Beyonce line. Drake was an aspiring rapper and actor on the Canadian TV series DeGrassi. He was standing in line at the Molson Amphitheater concert hall for Beyonce's 2007 concert and fashion launch trip to Canada. He was in front of me and I yelled "Drake it's you the disabled kid from DeGrassi"

Next he found out I owned HipHossip, Canada's leading music blog which propelled my music journalism career. He would start sending me mixtapes for promotion. I promoted his music FREE on my website. He was worth it. I later interviewed Drake on many red carpets and he always had time to speak to me. MMVA's, Juno Press room and even his best friend P.Reign's community events. Then I met his family. See the NEXT POSTS for more--KOO

#HNNPersonality Usain Bolt meets Drake! Check out the photo now!

Looks like the VIP room of a club. The Olympic star met Drake and they were spotted doing the Jamaican unruly sign. Drake is on his Summer Sixteen tour so this could very well be backstage.

UNRULY BOLT 🇯🇲💀 @usainbolt

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Sep 28, 2016 at 1:35am PDT

Drake's dad Dennis Graham stars in a video named after him #HNNMusic

Drake’s Dad is having a moment – literally.
Dennis Graham – the father of Toronto rapper Drake – co-stars in the Arkells’ new video called – wait for it – Drake’s Dad.

The inspired single, off the rockers’ new album, Morning Report out Aug. 5, was written after Arkells frontman Max Kerman met Graham in a Memphis bar on Beale Street last summer. Kerman was part of a bachelor’s road trip of 16 friends through the American south.

“We listened to a lot of Drake on the way down,” said Kerman down the line from Lollapalooza in Chicago on Thursday before the band’s performing slot.

“And our one friend Adam, who really knows a lot about Drake culture, he spotted Dennis from across the bar. He was like, ‘Holy s---! There’s Drake’s dad right now!’ We moseyed on over. We took a photo. He’s just very nice. He’s like a very easy going, friendly dude.” Dennis is a great man I've met many times. His brothers are also musicians.

READ MORE AND WATCH VIDEO HERE

Watch these Canadian Mounties (Federal Police) parody Drake in a road safety video #HNNGov

That’s the message in a new video released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia this week.

The safety video is called "Cop Light Bling" and parodies Canadian rapper Drake’s "Hotline Bling." A group of RCMP officers mimic Drake’s awkward dance moves as Constable Mark Skinner sings about the province’s Move Over law.

The six-year-old law makes it an offense to drive faster than 60 km/hour or the posted speed limit when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing. Motorists also must change to the lane farthest from the stopped emergency vehicle, if that lane is free and it is safe to do so. (That's the "move over" part.) But the rule apparently hasn't reached everyone.

“If you get a bunch of Mounties out acting like goof balls, singing and dancing and making a ridiculous video, it actually helps us get the message across,” explains Cpl. Jennifer Clarke. “The response has been overwhelming.”

The video has become a YouTube hit, with nearly half a million views so far.

WATCH THE VIDEOS HERE

#MMVA2015 Congrats to @PReign from Kemi & KJ in #Nigeria. Watch @Drake SURPRISE!

I have known P.Reign and Drake for a long time when I was in Toronto 2007-2012. I watched both evolve into great musicians and award winning rappers. last night, my prayers came true as I wanted P.Reign to win that Best Hip-hop video at the #MMVA2015. DnF featuring Drake and Future won and Drake made a surprise appearance! WOW! Watch the video from Perez's website.

#Congrats from #Africa. @Drake Scores 11th No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.

Aubrey Drake Graham and me in Canada

The other day Sept 25th I was congratulating my friend Drake on another upcoming Grammy Album. I Never regret one time going to Canada. U are one of the reasons. Trust me NOTHING IS THE SAME being back here! Miss u in Africa

Congrats on "Nothing was the Same."
Great album
Aubrey Drake Graham is like a son to me and same age as one of my sons. I was great friends with his mom Sandy who I was honored to meet at Canada's Grammys The Junos in 2010 thru my son KJ

In the same week as his chart-topping debut of "Nothing was the Same," Drake takes over at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” featuring Majid Jordan.

The song’s 3-1 rise ends Robin Thicke’s reign with “Blurred Lines” at 16 weeks and marks Drake’s 11th leader on the list. Since Nielsen data began powering the chart in Dec. 1992, only Usher has taken more titles to the summit, with 12.

With airplay and streaming gainer awards, “Hold On” owes its ascent primarily to its 13% rise to 12 million listener impressions and its 86% lift to 5.7 million U.S. streams, according to Nielsen BDS. The impressive increase in streams is due to the song’s video being released on Sept. 25.

Below is the complete list of Drake’s No. 1s on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Title, Artist Billing, Date First Reached, Number of Weeks at No. 1

“Best I Ever Had,” Drake, 6/27/09, seven weeks
“I Invented Sex,” Trey Songz feat. Drake, 12/26/09, two weeks
“Say Something,” Timbaland feat. Drake, 3/27/10, one week
“Fall For Your Type,” Jamie Foxx feat. Drake, 2/12/11, two weeks
“Moment 4 Life,” Nicki Minaj feat. Drake, 2/26/11, five weeks
“I’m On One,” DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne, 7/16/11, 11 weeks
“She Will,” Lil Wayne feat. Drake, 10/15/11, four weeks
“Make Me Proud,” Drake feat. Nicki Minaj, 2/4/12, three weeks
“The Motto,” Drake feat. Lil Wayne, 2/25/12, two weeks
“No Lie,” 2 Chainz feat. Drake, 8/18/12, five weeks
“Hold On, We’re Going Home,” Drake feat. Majid Jordan, 10/12/13, one week (so far)

Read the Rest at Billboard

#KOO
@HipHossip on twitter
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BREAKING UPDATE: DRAKE NOT ATTENDING BET AWARDS AND NOMINATED 12 TIMES, EVEN DUBBED DRAKE AWARDS!

I can't explain it and why? Drake is said to have pulled out of the BET award ceremony. He is not there, not coming not even speaking to anyone. I wanna dig up what happened here. Could it be Canada day celebrations tomorrow? What is it Drizzy? You know you could call me!!

OR is it the Breezy/Rihanna seating arrangement again?

12 Nominations!!!

Click the article I wrote back home to introduce my people in Nigeria to Drake in the Nigerian Tribune alst week.

DRAKE STARTS NEW RECORD LABEL. WILL HE SIGN CANADIAN ARTISTS?

Ahhhhh....my friend Drake. He has now launched his own record label named what else? OVO and it's under Warner Music unlike his label with Young Money distributed on the Universal Music label. So what's next? We already know Drizzy got music artist The Weekend under lockdown so the big question is who's next on his new label?

P.Reign, KJ and Drake with me March 2012

My friends at Source magazine asked if he was going to be signing a few Canuck artists and I went hating on their page saying never! So much backstabbing and hate over there that I think he should start signing some big names in Nigeria. But some of these Nigerian rappers have their own independent labels too but yet to have a big label distribution deal.

OK, LET ME RESUME THE LOVE/HATE PART. So if u ask me, I will say Keysha Fresh is the one artist that needs to be signed right now. Make her the first lady of OVO. The girl works hard enough and deserves a big break. Another one is Vital who is of Ethiopian origin like The Weekend and Drake's DJ Future. Just make it an East African label and don't forget to stop by here in West Africa to sign Ruggedybaba and Ikechukwu. Glad my temporary asylum in Canada ended as I would not have been able to see the great rappers we have here.

People Drake must not even think of signing are Tommy Spitz, a Stalley wannabee that tried to slap me on the Stylus red carpet back in May 2012. I'm telling U, this is how ghetto they get. Toronto Police blacklisted his threats. Other rappers were begging me not to call the cops on him. Must be out on bail.

Classless Tommy Spitz and baby SPIT.

Very unprofessional. Had info about the murder of Rapper Anthony Spencer aka Tony Trapz and hid info about the killers. Well, those morons have now been arrested. I love snitching. Glad Trapz will get some justice soon. He was shot to death in a Toronto recording studio.  I heard Keysha Freshh did a track with Spitz. Girl stay away from stains and spit.

HUGS FROM HIPHOSSIP>>HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY TO RAPPER/SINGER DRAKE.

Hugging Rihanna at the VMA's (Those eyes..lol)

About to hug l'il bro Justin Bieber ( I took this pic in Toronto at Biebs movie premiere)

Hugging Willow at the Grammys

Hugging Eve at the BET awards

Hugging security at Yorkdale mall Toronto

I got a facial hug at the 2010 Junos

Everybody gets a hug from Drake but it's him that gets that HUG today from all the fans in Nigeria. HAPPY 26th Birthday to Drake today who is one of the few artists I still much relate to in that Toronto I lived for the past 5 years. Always connecting with his fans and being available for all the community events especially with regards to the kids. Last I saw him was at that OVO festival for the people of his hometown Toronto. 

 FAMILY AND HOMETOWN COMES FIRST

Mom and dad Sandy and Dennis Graham

Mom Sandy Graham

KJ's and me Drake's mom collage

Drake's billboard in downtown Toronto when his last album was coming out

Drake has that line "All I care is bout my money and the city I'm from" which is why u hear me using that line all the time referring to my hometown Ibadan and my wallet. Although he loves his fans dearly, Drake's family comes first as I have seen during my 5 years in Canada from when I met him to when he really blew up. 

Uncle Steve, Drake's mom's brother is missed

I was lucky to meet his uncle Steve, a maternal uncle and brother to his mom Sandy Graham whom I spent time with after the 2010 Juno awards. Sadly I heard that Uncle Steve died and it was not reported in the media as Steve passing away but as Drake's beloved uncle who influenced his life and career. It saddened me so much when you watch the advice he gave KJ in getting into a rap career. Steve's voice echoes thru KJ's ears daily now. LISTEN here to how I am trying to show off that KJ is in the papers and Steve advising KJ in the background audio.

You know Sandy Graham raised Drake as a single mother and did very well with him. Sandy Graham was a teacher at the prestigious Forest Hill Collegiate in a predominantly Jewish side of town in Toronto. I once worked there as a Pharmacist at the Loblaws Grocery chain  and met several Jewish families. Many great people and their culture over there. Loved their food! However Drake dropped out from high school to pursue an acting career on TV show Degrassi and later ended up a musician. Last week he graduated after successfully completing the missing credits. 

Uncle Steve and Sandy did not come accidentally into our lives. After the 2010 Juno award ceremonies were over, KJ and I decided to get some food at our hotel, the Delta Chelsea where many of the stars and music execs were staying, when he went to the bathroom or washroom as the Canadians call it, he took forever. However it was not a number 2 issue, he met a woman, chatted her up and convinced her to come eat with us at our table. I asked the lady if I could videotape this stuff as it unfolded and she said yes. In the video, KJ bought DRAKE'S MOM to me. Talk about your son bringing the right girl home to mom. U have to see this video. 

From there onwards, Drake became a friend to HipHossip, taking pics with us, autographs and so much more. We even got to meet his family at Young Money and KJ practiced with Nicki Minaj's dancers in Toronto before her Summer 2011 concert where Drake has a cameo. Drake also did a drop for KJ's blog The KidReporter.com (new site coming soon)

                                      

Drake hosted  Rapper P.Reign's Spike 4Life March 2012

SO..........HAPPY 26th Birthday to Drake today who is one of the few artists I still much relate to in that Toronto I lived for the past 5 years. Always connecting with his fans and being available for all the community events especially with regards to the kids. Last I saw him was at that OVO festival for the people of his hometown Toronto.

Earlier in the year, he hosted a fundraiser for his pal Rapper P.Reign who is equally a caring person about the community and raising money for the Boys and Girls Club of Scarborough area of Toronto. Sadly one of the kids that attended that event, Shyanne Charles, a 14 y/o (in red) was killed at the infamous Toronto mass shooting on July 16th 2012 at Danzig street. My son KJ is in the red hiphossip shirt. The full album to P.Reign's event which Drake hosted is here. 

Take Care album

Day Care spoof

The Prank Tweets saying he's married Nicki Minaj

Follow Drake on Twitter @Drake

DRAKE CELEBRATED HIS 26TH BIRTHDAY A LITTLE EARLY IN ATLANTA THIS PAST WEEKEND.

Love how this young man is enjoying life!

Look!! Drake's DJ Future is hugging Drake's dad Dennis Graham, singer and brother to Teenie Hodges and Larry Graham (One in a million)

Drake parties very hard and prolly bought everyone the drinks like he does in Toronto. OK, Moet sponsored the party! Special thanks to our friend Prince William from ATLPics.net, a Veteran in the business of celeb party pictures. Drake came out to Atlanta to celebrate his birthday at Compound night club. He brought out stars such as Wale, Deelishis, DeRay Davis, Kenny Burns and even his dad Singer Dennis Graham made an appearance. Oh yes, he is from a music family. I'm gonna see this young man again soon when I bring him to Nigeria! Drake's real birthday is tomorrow Oct 24th cos he's OVO! October's very own--MsKemi @HipHossip