In 2006 Drake released his own mixtape Room for Improvement. This mixtape features artists such as Trey Songz, and Lupe Fiasco. Drake described he mixtape as “pretty straightforward, radio friendly, not much content to it.” Growing up Drake’s influences as rappers were Jay-Z, Clipse, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and singers Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell. In 2007 Drake became the first unsigned Canadian rapper to have his video featured on BET. Drake did a freestyle over a song with Lil Wayne a remix of Man of the Year little did Drake know Lil Wayne was given some of Drake’s music from a Rap-A-Lot founder Jas Prince and he immediately invited Drake to fly out to Houston and tour with him.
After Drake got the opportunity to tour with Jas Prince his rap career shot off from there. In 2009 Drake released an unauthorized album named The Girls Love Drake and was up for sale on iTunes. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart of July 4,2009 ‘Best I Ever Had’ and ‘Every Girl’ by Young Money. Drake is only the second artist to have his first two top ten hits in the same week. The first was Canadian Nelly Furtado.
On June 29, 2009 Drake finally signed a record deal with Young Money Entertainment, which included some of the world’s greatest rappers. Drake went everywhere as soon as he got signed but everything went bad when Drake was touring with Lil Wayne and other rap artists. Drake who was already performing on an already injured knee, and fell on stage while performing “Best I Ever Had” with Lil Wayne in Camden, New York. Drake underwent surgery on September 8, 2009 for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. After his surgery Drake had to attend rehabilitation and was able to walk very soon after rehab.
After Drake got the opportunity to tour with Jas Prince his rap career shot off from there. In 2009 Drake released an unauthorized album named The Girls Love Drake and was up for sale on iTunes. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart of July 4,2009 ‘Best I Ever Had’ and ‘Every Girl’ by Young Money. Drake is only the second artist to have his first two top ten hits in the same week. The first was Canadian Nelly Furtado.
On June 29, 2009 Drake finally signed a record deal with Young Money Entertainment, which included some of the world’s greatest rappers. Drake went everywhere as soon as he got signed but everything went bad when Drake was touring with Lil Wayne and other rap artists. Drake who was already performing on an already injured knee, and fell on stage while performing “Best I Ever Had” with Lil Wayne in Camden, New York. Drake underwent surgery on September 8, 2009 for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. After his surgery Drake had to attend rehabilitation and was able to walk very soon after rehab.