Drake at 21 Years Old on Getting Ready to Drop His 1st Album (Flashback)

In this flashback, a 21-year-old Drake opened up to Real City TV about preparing to drop his first album, Thank Me Later. He spoke about transitioning from acting to music, adding that he likes doing music because it's "built from the ground up" and there's a big sense of accomplishment. Drake then detailed being mentored by Lil Wayne and working on the remix for "Brand New." While speaking about his fashion sense, Drake opened up about forming OVO, which you can hear more about above.

[@GangsterAssRick]

If a degrassi actor from canada can become hip hops biggest artist then anything is possible if you have the drive

[@swishersweets727]

Or if you're Jewish 🤷

[@franknitti100]

& the *talent*

[@Tobias.Harris]

@@franknitti100 drake?

[@justinrandy5132]

I mean I don't know why you say it like being a Canadian actor on a successful show is a bad thing. It actually helped him more than anything

[@jaygee4017]

or u just sell your soul like Drake.

[@BlessVibez]

“When you tell urself somethings hard, that’s when it’s hard, otherwise you could rise to the occasion at anything” spittin big facts since a youngin 🚫🧢💯

[@alakazam25yearsago8]

I remember the very first track I heard drake on was with Lil Wayne “I’m goin in” ..Back in middle school I’m 25 now🤯

[@mo2k638]

Same 25 now lol finished middle school in summer 09

[@antoniojones2725]

We literally grew up with Drake lol crazy

[@mo2k638]

@@jordandwyer3545 🤣😂

[@alakazam25yearsago8]

@@mo2k638 Faacts, good times 09 was like a golden year for music

[@alakazam25yearsago8]

@@jordandwyer3545 He killed his verse too🔥 I use to rap it word for word lol

[@najeefilms]

People forget the grind. I remember everyday this man was out performing at shows with 100 people. I remember hearing Best I Ever Had on MySpace back in 08 and being like who this yo.

[@edgar_leon1790]

Lol just downloaded that song

[@romeokilo4535]

back in 08 lol

[@Dinnerthedaythebanksareopen]

@@romeokilo4535 Didn’t the song come out in ‘09? Lol

[@romeokilo4535]

@Dinnerthedaythebanksareopen idk but to me I don't see it as that long ago but it's relative and I guess when your over 30 alot of time packs in together

[@yunggprod]

Beardless Drake seems like a myth now 😂

[@ray817oneDEEP]

Pusha T made him mature so he grew the beard.

[@ovonigga29]

@@ray817oneDEEP I agree, Pussa is the true drama queen 💯

[@kcxsmooth]

@@ray817oneDEEP ??? He had a beard before😂😂

[@MADD-MANX]

@@ovonigga29 Nah Drakea is the real drama queen, Push is the 🐐

[@ovonigga29]

@@MADD-MANX Pussa Queef sounded like a bitch the way he said “chillddd” on that response track lmao sounded like a whole sassy diva 😂

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Back when Drake was an up-and-comer on the Young Money label

[@HHurtado-Jiren]

"We Forever working wit drake!" - Birdman hands rubbing

[@RickyGarcia214]

Rap a lot b4 young money

[@javonpinto2900]

Fresh off degrassi

[@mbb1849]

Due to the timeline and the fact that he said he was turning 22 that year (2008), in this video he wasn't about to drop his first album. Thank Me Later (2010). Instead, he was about to drop So Far Gone (2009), which would be a huge mixtape for his career and would officially put him on the map. "Brand New" was on So Far Gone once it came out.

[@KINGBatman333]

💯 I was in the 4th Grade wen I first Heard Drake, and I was on His Room For Improvement wen he dropped that Kick Push with Lupe Fiasco💯 So Far Gone came out and He been My Favorite Everysince

[@ysnmal]

All the songs on so far gone were original supposed to be the Thank Me Later album

[@g-dub5272]

I still remember when I first realized “that’s the dude from Degrassi” rapping lol

[@vegasart2778]

Same cus I was watching degrassi before drake went crazy “funny how things turn out”.

[@tech489]

The boy who would become king.

[@marcelhall1932]

Kendrick is a beast but he doesn't run the rap game...

[@vegasart2778]

@@marcelhall1932 if only we were talking about Kendrick... but we’re not.

[@franky0775]

Proves anybody can really make it

[@coolcool6908]

@@franky0775 drake is an intelligent dude. Make it yes but staying in the top is not easy for this long

[@franky0775]

Yung Brand I said Anybody not everybody

[@KayciazWorld]

When he stood out and didn't mind being completely original. He was so well spoken and his style was super unique. Now he just blends in💔

[@SimplyAnimated]

💔

[@kobegoodall3444]

This was deep

[@TheChristian50]

Blends in ? Lmao

[@TheChristian50]

@@musicalpicasso lmaooooo ur in denial

[@gjagster357]

He still well spoken for talking trendy like the rest, he been made for awhile now so he’s just content and naturally flowing in his hustling routines

[@JRNova11]

Back when people knew him as Aubrey Graham...time goes by like crazy

[@JRNova11]

@Biden is a Fraud Bruh what are u talking about😂 Hating ass

[@andrewashford5617]

Now he go by bbl Drizzy, the time is now😂😂😂😂😂

[@Josh-di3zo]

10 years later Drake a MegaStar with over a billion Streams and multiple number #1 Billboard entries 🐐💫

[@chuysalazar7209]

I got more slaps than the beatles More #1 hits Even tho beatles are way more fire

[@futchobishh3929]

“Just a young kid in a drop top Lexus praying that I won’t get arrested... just another kid going through life so worried that he won’t get accepted”

[@basketballboygenius2O34]

“Just a young kid In a drop lexus preying on some young teens to have sex with” 🎶

[@vinniechandon]

That line applies to literally every human on Earth when they’re coming of age lol

[@MoodyMilker]

@@vinniechandoncool bro

[@vinniechandon]

@@MoodyMilker Glad you think so. 👌🏿

[@byronv823]

Years later he became the biggest pop artist in the world. Inspiring

[@qozart2926]

And rap

[@jaystacks5249]

@@qozart2926 no pop. Drake is a pop artist bro

[@Zizoujr11]

@@jaystacks5249 he is popstar who happens to rap lol

[@krisgfunk9798]

Death to Pop RAP

[@mr.jayjay2401]

Rap

[@cactusjack-sama2716]

I really wish this aubrey guy success in the rap industry

[@skybox5710]

Fr seems like a good guy

[@e.producer2195]

@@skybox5710 ikr

[@angeldoll6218]

@@df27dhe already did make it honey 😊😊😊😊

[@yungflashykid]

​@@angeldoll6218lol you must be re really fun at parties 😅

[@Mikefante]

I was always a Drake fan ever since 2014 days

[@jameljikiemi6792]

I still listen to comeback season🔥🐐

[@stayfly5870]

Listen to room for improvement 🔥🔥

[@jeremystore4423]

“ I got the Levi’s.. black vans..nobody really got these” Man I love how it used to be when u would get dressed n your flyest clothes and it make u feel so good you gta front like you wearing millions when you really really rocking $150 from the mall the last weekend.... man I know the feeling...

[@jrg5315]

“I got the Vans nobody really got those” LOL

[@tf2nice4u]

😂😭

[@Jj-mu6hg]

I was looking for this comment I was weak asf lmfaooo

[@rane1824]

Lil B

[@BrayZap]

So many people now a days that are all over every song he drops dont even realize this is what he used to be. These were his most meaningful days and most people werent even around for it.

[@Sijan.G]

Thank Me Later Giving him the roses while he right here🌹🌹

[@lilpeepwastrash3464]

so far gone **

[@jonathanflores3038]

Flash back : who else remember drake rapping off a BlackBerry 😂😂

[@tf2nice4u]

🙌🏾 Who remembers the blackberry with the side scroll that he lost in Cabo?

[@blckopps2655]

I remember back in middle school I used to look up drake on google and would see pictures of Drake Bell from (drake and josh) and now this man is well known and arguably one of the greatest artist of this century. It’s crazy how I grew up on Drake almost like watching a big brother do his thing.

[@andrewashford5617]

🤡yikes

[@Father_Son_Gaming]

Hes was always who he was gonna be... only difference is age and status

[@triggmancera572]

Lesson there.

[@ermakromyt]

Vlad stealing other people content while flagging others for the same is crazy

[@kenterminateddq5311]

In October of this year, Drake will be 35 years old. Safe to say that he's swimming in dollars like Scrooge McDuck (with some paid to child support). BTW, congratulations on having three hits debuted in the top 3 at the same time this week.

[@lilkizxo7278]

35

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@lilkizxo7278 Drake is 35 now. His birthday is on October 24, 1986.

[@makajossos9431]

Wtf are yall talkong about, hes 34

[@makajossos9431]

@@kenterminateddq5311 that will make him 34

[@kenterminateddq5311]

@@makajossos9431 my bad, I subtracted 2021 & 1986 and thought it was his age.

[@uncle4334]

09-13 Drake was the best. I remember every time he was featured on any song, he would make it his because of his delivery, hook or sick ass voice. Nowadays I kinda got tired of drake.

[@jermainhall2647]

He looks totally different allmost like a different person

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Same here

[@taylornorth]

@@chillvibed lmao yeah i wish he took a break and built up a protégé, went on a hiatus and then came back. but dude just been around non stop, risky move in these times

[@modzook]

2015 iyrtitl is my favorite

[@LooseBills]

@@jermainhall2647 yooo...I been saying the same shxt....bruh looks like a whole different person.... u dont drastically change face shape from 21 yrs old to 31 yrs old...

[@sasha1551]

It’s fuckin insane how drake was only 21 years old in this interview! He was a grown ass man back then!

[@thepearlswirl]

3:17 the way he's talking here.. he completely changed wow

[@blackneji1701]

Nigga got neon color nails at the age of 30+ that industry changed him for sure😂

[@handofgod2000]

SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT BUT DRAKE HAS COMPLETELY DOMINATED THE CHARTS SINCE 2009. THIS GUY IS A LEGEND 💯

[@goldpharaoh6976]

Yeah to all SIMPS alike 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 dude was pushed on us I never liked his girly music

[@Rojomoto405]

Wdym girly you prolly not half the man he is

[@goldpharaoh6976]

@@Rojomoto405 That's funny because Drake would have to be a man in the first place which she I mean he isn't. He is a little boy SIMP who sings to desperate sistahs for there money and loyalty.

[@makyiabonner5950]

@@goldpharaoh6976 lmao I mean if there’s a room full of kids would you sell them school books or ice cream? That’s just marketing besides no one else was doing it, it’s not his fault for being unique. Listen to his influence, now we got people like Rod Wave and summo shit

[@goldpharaoh6976]

@@makyiabonner5950 ARE YOU SERIOUS??????? He literally stole from Pimp C and ODB

[@BrayZap]

I miss these 2008-2013 years so bad its not even funny. Incredible how fast things change from then til now. Not that i dont love what hes putting out now but the vibe is so different from when he was first coming up and hungry. Everything from his appearance, music, personality you can see are night and day difference. Not many people were onto him yet and wouldnt instantly fill up an arena after everything he put out. This is the drake i knew when i was so young and look back like wow

[@chosen1brand635]

Couldn’t of said it better. That documentary gonna bring tears to my eyes man. Drakes run is nothing like we ever seen

[@8flmorgue]

This motivated me

[@jesuslarios9428]

Take care wow what an album 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bearspanda6635]

It’s suxs like drakes

[@MikeyJae777]

This is the Drake I remember. Come Back Season, Replacement Girl, and of course Best I ever had era Drizzy….

[@jesusgomez7454]

He went from rocking Levi’s to having million dollar outfits

[@Explaiin]

Levis were the shit back in these days man haha. Everyone wanted them

[@futchobishh3929]

Drake phases Thank Me Later - Him getting comfortable in the Industry Take Care - Drake collab with the weeknd getting back to his TO roots Nothing Was The Same/If You’re Reading This - Tryna Figure Out if he was tryna go back or move Forward Meek Mill Beef Happens Back to Back through Views - God status Gods Plan was the last before the dethroning but The Boy still the Man

[@chrisstewart5518]

just heard his music he has alot of potential

[@stewart296]

we heard it before stop

[@chrisstewart5518]

@@stewart296 yeah that song goes

[@MG-wm9kq]

Lol the drip he promoting , how far we’ve come

[@DiorInEveryStore]

Bro is the real life hannah montana😂😂

[@desiduzzit2740]

Who know that allllll these years later it would still be “his time”. Dayumnnnn!!

[@PootieTangLittleBrother]

“I never cried when Pac died, but I probably do when Hov does.” - Drake 😮😮

[@SwitchTruckerSilvas97]

Literally been fucking with him since he was just Aubrey Graham that’s growing up with all older sisters 🤷🏽‍♂️ so I been peeped him when he was rapping on degrassi

[@MikeyJae777]

Anybody remember when Drake first came out and would be featured on everybody's song and kill it????

[@user-qd6im2hp2e]

Yup

[@MikeyJae777]

@@user-qd6im2hp2e good times

[@ratedrva757]

You do realize that the name stands DRAKE for Do.Right.And.Kill.Everything right. He's still doing the same thing he always has niggaz just used to it now

[@Zizoujr11]

Drake and Chris Brown are the feature GOATs

[@ratedrva757]

@@Zizoujr11 at least for this generation last generation was weezy and jay-z on the verses and Nate Dogg and pharrell on the singing side

[@riannadominguez396]

Damn, I remember when Aubrey was promoting his album with Tre Songz on MySpace and even before that on Degrassi. I liked him then and I like him now🥰

[@andrewashford5617]

Hey hey hey hey run for yo life💀

[@keenanward7396]

I remember when he was talking about how nervous he was of his 1st album were we gonna like him or not now look at him wow

[@ThisNameWasTaken0]

Drake’s documentary gonna be crazy

[@rane1824]

“These are my vans ain’t no one really got those” Lil B wanna talk

[@NFJIZZY]

Drake Living Legend Came Along Way 💯💪🏾 Always Was MOTIVATION

[@marcocho5793]

Kendrick really did a number on this man 😮‍💨

[@LaughAlil]

This the drake I grew up on Pause miss me fear unforgettable closer to my dreams dreams money can buy 9am in Dallas can’t find that drake no more but everything grows

[@trillyungin3699]

This the drake the younger generation doesn’t know 😂

[@urbanfosterchild669]

So far gone Will always be my favorite Drake project

[@lamertofar8gaming443]

His first album is thank me later

[@user-qd6im2hp2e]

@@lamertofar8gaming443 Nope

[@urbanfosterchild669]

I know I bought it when it came out in 2010 but so far gone was his mixtape that he dropped in 2009 around the time he got with young money so far gone was on repeat when I had it

[@branx4426]

I like Drake with the melodies Ion like drake when he act tough

[@EVL_Datboii]

He did a little fit check that was probably like $100. And now look at him, he did a fit check like two years ago and it was like a million dollar fit 🐐🐐🐐✅

[@EVL_Datboii]

He also said he don’t really wear true religion but now he’s all about them jeans 😂🐐🐐🐐

[@forthoodsr]

The good ole days! I use to download all them leaked songs too off of limewire & frostwire lol!

[@jayelee7558]

This when he was my favorite rapper

[@mircagardenman7629]

"Drake, here's how they'll at you, with silly rap fueds trying to Distract you." The Man didn't know these fueds were coming back than. Well done Drake, well done.

[@Whis__]

Light up is an amazing song.

[@mircagardenman7629]

Absolutely, he was very humble back then.

[@AllucB]

“I didn’t listen to hov when he told me pay it no mind I get more satisfaction goin at your head at watching all of you die”

[@rodericksmith1019]

And then he made it all "LIGHT UP"

[@darnelldarden9429]

Jesus. The glow up was amazing, he was determined to win

[@andrewashford5617]

🤡

[@superxnatrl1941]

the next diddy

[@koyowens1397]

MEMPHIS MANE, GOD FIRST ALWAYS

[@christothecore3038]

Man shoulda kept this energy

[@OhMrpickles]

Huh??

[@mellowhead3468]

Damn he damn near 35 Now 14 years In this shit he did it

[@knamon864]

His voice hasn't changed.

[@devantewilson9343]

First song I heard from him was Ransom back in high school Now this nigga a real living legend

[@gxostmuzik7287]

He always had that good energy

[@socialmediaego]

“All the colors and sparkles and sh!t” lol

[@robliberachi]

Drake voice even sounds different

[@thepearlswirl]

🎯

[@onlyinyaks]

Crazy he used to have a fake half-NY accent... now he speaks like he’s from Jamaica lol

[@Itsjoelnotjoel]

Toronto in general used to copy New York cuz of Jay z but 2015 we had a huge wave of Jamaican influence take over the culture

[@goldpharaoh6976]

@@Itsjoelnotjoel bruh don't try and use a whole damn country as an excuse of Drakes cornyness

[@Itsjoelnotjoel]

@@goldpharaoh6976 lmao idk bout the country but I’m telling you my literal friends did the same thing

[@GrigorB.2.5]

Back when I liked Drake

[@thepearlswirl]

🎯

[@benjitkoshorts9577]

You can thank me now

[@stressedpanda5689]

If you didn’t hear best I ever had on MySpace you can exit the conversation .... stage left.

[@MilezAwxy]

This guy aubrey seems to be focused on music. Hope he make it big one day.

[@nah7376]

Drake fresh off his wheelchair

[@josegarcia-vd7km]

He said “I GOT VANS ON NO ONE REALLY GOT THESE” 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@shawnabid9327]

I’m surprised he had such a voice for rapping , because his real accent is super heavy

[@Mustafa6ix]

I’m from Toronto what accent are u talking about why do Americans always say that

[@rajisinghsoni2321]

Mask after mask after mask for this dude. Who Are You, Aubrey????

[@ClevelandOh216]

He really lived up to his name Do Right And Kill Everything...except push!! And vlad drops are always in a timely fashion

[@Fucunt]

So we just gon forget about king push

[@DontPanicrs]

Story of Adidon beat always starts in my head when I see a comment like this.

[@ClevelandOh216]

@@DontPanicrs you ain’t LYINNNNN greatest diss behind hit em up

[@ClevelandOh216]

@@Fucunt never that my guy that will live on my playlist forever

[@ClevelandOh216]

@@Fucunt what makes it more crazy is how fast that got pushed under the rug

[@TeniqueSpeaks]

This what Kendrick saying …be the artist and person we met not this fake gangster persona

[@IssaTexaco]

Da game ain’t for da weak he had too it’s built off ignorance

[@itsJoNada]

​@@IssaTexaco"he had to" tell that to Cudi or Kanye or Tyler or any other successful rapper that isn't putting on a fake street persona like Drake has done

[@IssaTexaco]

@@itsJoNada you need to remember it’s a business it’s all entertainment fool

[@IssaTexaco]

@@itsJoNada you need to remember it’s all entertainment a business like McDonald’s they just tryn sell whatever hot am who can do it the best

[@itsJoNada]

@@IssaTexaco when Lil Wayne himself is your mentor and tells you to be yourself, keep it Canadian and don't try to put on a fake street persona, you should listen. Drake made all his biggest hits early by being his normal soft self. That was hot and selling just fine for years. Now he's transitioned to this fake street persona and it's starting to fall apart, the numbers aren't the same, the reviews from fans and critics ain't the same, that's how we got to this point of even having this conversation because people are sick of the gimmick. But now have one of the biggest voices in hip-hop with Kendrick bringing it to light. If all Aubrey ever did was stay himself then it wouldn't be this bad for him.

[@JaeRhiofficial]

At 21 he looked about 35 😂

[@__lala68]

I want him back 🥺

[@kco455]

He looks completely different now! He even sound different!

[@WuTangWax]

I know something seems off

[@Moraculous]

content i live for

[@Kobes248]

My man 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@hehakeo]

This is the drake I like. Not the fake tough guy we got today.

[@churrocrudo]

Ye you luv the Pedo drake shit huh.

[@endrykperez412]

This gotta be the dumbest comment I've ever seen

[@discovertheworldwithrio7836]

Drake is an actor and his biggest role is being a rapper

[@hinfinity]

I think he’s gonna have a successful rap career

[@michael43567]

I love how rappers like to claim they "keep it simple" and aren't into designers. Damn near all of them rock chains, name brands, designers, flashy cars etc.

[@jahtooraw]

Exactly they just say it at the start ..till that big bag come thru

[@302keys]

Wow inspirational..

[@Truthspeaker495]

than he became the GOAT🐐 ⁶𓅓 of music all around not just rapping out singing but an all around artist no one compares

[@bigol4nem]

Drake before the surgery

[@denny720]

Anybody here after the Drake and Kendrick beef?

[@michael43567]

at 21 I had 10k, was a virgin, had no car, lived with my moms & was flunking college.

[@theconvo9676]

“Levi’s caz that’s what you gotta do these days”

[@deeznut9734]

“i was on tv making 50 racks a year after helping momma out that shit would disappear”

[@tygur23]

Incoming jealousy,hate and insecurity from dudes that can't get their own career off the ground

[@goldpharaoh6976]

Incoming sack pulling, suckling, and aggressive SIMPING from dudes than can't get knees of the ground

[@AbstractDivinity1]

Drake look funny looking without the beard.

[@hdeniro1106]

Some people really look better with age

[@EmericaNobles]

Drake is better than HOV

[@UNDERGODSPROTECTION]

October's own.

[@rakwonbeats]

🐐

[@deovonteeaster4614]

Bring the old drake ovo shit back.