Drake Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Drake Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Drake, who hails from Canada, is an actor, producer, and rapper with a net worth of $250 million. He consistently ranks as one of the highest-earning individuals in the entertainment industry. Drake initially pursued acting, featuring in the renowned Canadian TV series “Degrassi: The Next Generation”.  However, it was his musical endeavors that brought him global fame, with a string of successful tracks starting from 2006.  His first studio album, “Thank Me Later,” topped the hip-hop charts in 2010, marking the beginning of his continued success.  He has continuously toured, made appearances on numerous music programs and award shows, and worked on expanding his fan base.

Since attaining mainstream recognition, Drake has amassed over $430 million in his career, prior to deductions for taxes and personal expenses.

During the period between June 2017 and June 2018, Drake earned $45 million. In 2017, his total earnings were $95 million. From June 2018 to June 2019, his earnings amounted to $75 million. In the subsequent 12 months, he made $50 million. Detailed yearly breakdowns of Drake’s annual income can be found below.

Universal Music Group Collaboration

During the company’s Q1 earnings call in May 2022, Universal Music Group disclosed that they had extended Drake’s contract for a “long-term worldwide partnership.” The agreement covered a wide range of areas including “recorded music to music publishing, film, television, and brands.” Drake hinted at this deal in some of his lyrics. In one of his songs, he referred to signing a contract that involved receiving “360 up front.” Following Universal’s confirmation, some have interpreted this lyric to mean that he was paid $360 million upfront. Other sources have estimated the worth of the deal to be $400 million or higher. In the lead-up to the signing, Drake’s music catalog alone was bringing in $50 million in revenue annually for the company.

If we assume that the deal was indeed valued at $400 million, Drake would have reportedly received $200 million upfront after accounting for taxes.

Early Years

Aubrey Drake Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada. Drake’s father, Dennis, pursued a career as a drummer and performed with artists like Jerry Lee Lewis. His mother, Sandra, also known as Sandi, worked as an English teacher and florist. Drake attended a Jewish day school and had a traditional Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

After Aubrey turned five, Sandi and Dennis separated. Dennis relocated to Memphis, where he later faced legal issues and spent a few years incarcerated on drug-related charges. Aubrey remained with his mother in Toronto, occasionally visiting his father in Memphis during summers when he wasn’t in prison. Drake would later recall feeling his father’s absence during his upbringing, a sentiment Dennis strongly disputed, claiming it was exaggerated for artistic purposes.

From sixth grade onwards, Drake and his mother resided in the lower level of a duplex in an upscale neighborhood called Forest Hill. Money was tight, and they struggled financially.

While studying at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, Drake discovered his interest in acting and singing. He later enrolled in Vaughan Road Academy, where he faced discrimination due to his mixed-race and religious background. He briefly dropped out but eventually graduated in 2012.

Degrassi

At the age of 15, Drake secured a role on the popular Canadian teenage drama series “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” thanks to assistance from a friend’s father who worked as an acting agent. On the show, he portrayed Jimmy Brooks, a basketball player who became disabled after a shooting incident. Drake remained part of the cast from seasons 1 to 7, with guest appearances in 2008.

During Drake’s stint on Degrassi, his mother fell ill and was unable to work, making his television earnings their sole income source for several years. At that time, he earned an annual salary of $50,000 from the show, translating to approximately $2,000 per month post-tax. Drake later reflected on this period:

“My mother was very ill. We were extremely poor, practically penniless. The only income I had was from Canadian television.“

Musical Journey

Inspired by rap legends such as Jay-Z, who secured record deals after establishing themselves as independent artists, Aubrey chose to adopt the stage name “Drake” and began releasing mixtapes in 2006.

In February 2005, he unveiled his debut mixtape, “Room for Improvement,” on his official website and MySpace page. He managed to sell over 6,000 copies independently. The following year, he released his second mixtape, “Comeback Season.” This mixtape, launched through his newly established label, October’s Very Own (OVO Records), featured the hit underground single “Replacement Girl.” The music video for this track became the first from an unsigned Canadian rapper to be featured on BET. One version of the song included a sample of “Man of the Year” by Brisco, Flo Rida, and Lil Wayne.

Renowned Houston-based producer and Rap-A-Lot Records founder Jas Prince came across the single and shared it with Lil Wayne. Impressed by the music, Lil Wayne reached out to Drake, inviting him to join his Tha Carter III tour in Houston. Over the course of the tour, Drake and Wayne collaborated on several tracks, including “Brand New,” “Forever,” and “Ransom.”

Youthful Money Entertainment

Contrary to assumptions, Drake had not signed with Wayne’s record label at this juncture. He released a third mixtape, “So Far Gone,” in 2009, offering it as a free download on his OVO website. The mixtape featured collaborations with Lil Wayne, Lloyd, Trey Songz, Omarion, and Bun B. After garnering 2,000 downloads within the first hour, the mixtape achieved Gold certification from the RIAA, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was later released as an EP, debuting at #6 on the Billboard 200 and earning the 2010 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year.

Despite remaining an independent artist, Drake’s popularity in the music industry soared. A competitive situation emerged, with various labels vying to sign him.him. The urgency has been labeled as “the most significant bidding conflict in music history,” although that is unverified.

On June 29, 2009, Drake put his signature on an agreement with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. The contractual arrangement was essentially a collaborative effort between Young Money and its parent firm, Cash Money, with Universal Music overseeing distribution.

Mainstream Accomplishment

Drake’s primary studio album, “Thank Me Later”, made its debut on June 15, 2010. The album reached the top spot in Canada and the US. In the US, it secured the leading positions on the Billboard 100, the R&B/Hip Hop, and the US Rap charts. It eventually earned a Platinum certification from the RIAA.

His subsequent studio album, “Take Care” from 2011, also seized the top positions in numerous countries on various charts, ultimately achieving a 6-times Platinum status.

Every subsequent album has obtained at least 4-times Platinum.

Drake stands as one of the most triumphant and influential figures in hip-hop and the music sector overall. He has collaborated with numerous top-tier luminaries in the music realm, including Kanye West, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Travis Scott. Drake has garnered numerous award nominations. At present, he has amassed over 180 significant accolades, including four Grammys from more than 40 nods.

Drake generates an approximate of $1 million per live performance.

Individual Tracks Sold

Drake has distributed more digital individual tracks than any other artist in history. At present, he has marketed over 163 million digital singles. That amounts to 40 million more than the runner-up, Rihanna. In terms of album sales, he ranks 80th in the list of the highest-selling musicians of all time, having vended approximately 26 million albums. This positions him as the third most successful Canadian musician ever, following Shania Twain (48 million) and Celine Dion (50 million).

Drake’s Revenue Per Annum

• 2010: $10 million
• 2011: $11 million
• 2012: $21 million
• 2013: $11 million
• 2014: $33 million
• 2015: $40 million
• 2016: $40 million
• 2017: $95 million
• 2018: $47 million
• 2019: $75 million
• 2020: $50 million
• 2021: $40 million
• 2022: $30 million

Total: $503 million

YOLO Estate

While he originated from Canada, Drake officially settled in Hidden Hills, California, in 2012 upon purchasing an extravagant mansion from the former proprietor of Los Angeles’ Saddle Ranch Bar for $7.7 million in cash. Dubbed the YOLO Estate, this estate comprises various dwellings, such as a 12,000-square-foot principal abode and a 2,000-square-foot festivity domicile. The property boasts equestrian stables, a 25-person cinema, a full-sized basketball court, a sand volleyball court, and one of Southern California’s most extensive privately owned pools. The estate’s lagoon-esqueswimming pool, which winds around the exterior of the residence, presents various cascades, an 80-foot waterslide, a bar you can swim up to, and a grotto that resembles something from the Playboy Mansion.

During an interview with Rolling Stone, Drake shared that this mansion had captured his interest for years after he searched for “most extravagant residential pools” online and stumbled upon it. To keep himself inspired, he used a snapshot of the pool as his computer wallpaper for years. In 2009, the previous owner put the house on the market for $27 million. By 2012, financial difficulties led the former owner to sell it to Drake for $7.7 million.

In 2015, he expanded his land by acquiring the adjacent 1.6-acre property for $2.8 million. In 2018, he further expanded his estate by paying $4.5 million for another neighboring property. His private estate now covers 6.7 acres of connected land at the end of a cul-de-sac, amounting to $15 million in real estate expenditures alone.

Drake listed the YOLO Estate in March 2022 for $22.7 million. A potential buyer also had the chance to purchase the main mansion for $14.8 million.

In April 2022, NFL athlete Matthew Stafford paid $11 million ($3.6 million above the asking price) for two out of the three properties that were formerly part of the YOLO Estate. The two properties acquired by Matthew did not include the main “YOLO” mansion. In July 2022, a buyer paid $12 million for the final parcel.

Here is a video showcasing the entire 3-estate compound:

Toronto Mansion

In 2016, Drake invested $6.7 million to acquire a plot of land in the suburban region of Toronto known as The Bridle Path. Subsequently, he constructed a 50,000-square-foot mansion on the expansive two-acre land. The house boasts a 10-car garage, a regulation-sized NBA basketball court, a gym, an awards room, and much more. The master suite alone spans 3,200 square feet.

Additionally, he possesses a condominium in downtown Toronto.

$90 Million Beverly Hills Mansion

On March 8, 2022, reports emerged that Drake had sealed a deal to acquire the 20-acre Beverly Hills mansion owned by British singer Robbie Williams. Drake paid $75 million for the property in a private transaction. Prior to Robbie Williams, this residence belonged to Armand Marciano, the co-founder of Guess? clothing brand. Drake completed the purchase via a corporate entity named 11Kip, LLC, coupled with a $52.5 million loan from Bank of America, suggesting that he put down $22.5 million in cash, exactly 30% of the amount.

In May 2023, a little over a year after buying the Beverly Hills property for $75 million, Drake listed the mansion for sale at $88 million. He relisted it again in May 2024 at the same price. Below is a video tour of Drake’s Beverly Hills mansion:

300+ Acre Texas Estate

In October 2023, Drake shelled out $15 million for a 313-acre property previously operating as The Inn at Dos Brisas, now renamed Dos Brisas Ranch. During the early 2000s, this estate served as a private retreat for a wealthy family. Subsequently, the family transformed it into a resort in 2004. The Inn at Dos Brisas attained substantial popularity and triumph, garnering numerous prestigious awards.

Similar to numerous hospitality establishments, The Inn encountered severe setbacks due to the pandemic and was permanently closed in 2022. In April 2022, the property was put on the market for $17.5 million. This amount was reduced to $15 million in May 2023. Drake procured the property in October 2023 for an undisclosed sum exceeding $10 million. Watch the video tour below:

Air Drake Private Jet

In May 2019, Drake unveiled his recently-acquired Boeing 767 private jet, famously dubbed (and painted as) “Air Drake,” in an Instagram video. The video highlights Drake’s pride in owning the jet outright, emphasizing that it is entirely his with “no lease, no timeshare, no shared ownership.” A private jet of similar caliber and model would hold a value between $75 to $100 million.

Drake’s Net Worth Milestones

We first included Drake in Celebrity Net Worth in November

Back in 2009, he started off with an estimated net value of $1 million. Just a few months prior, he had signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money. Fast forward to 2012, his net worth had exceeded $25 million. By 2014, it had climbed to over $45 million. Come late 2016, he reached the milestone of $80 million for the first time. Thanks to his staggering earnings of nearly $100 million in 2017, he effortlessly crossed the $100 million mark by early 2018. It was in May 2019 when his net worth finally surpassed $150 million.

Enterprises

Throughout the years, Drake has been a prominent face for several major brands, notably Sprite, Burger King, Whataburger, Nike, and Apple. His collaboration with Apple Music was a significant one, with a $19 million exclusivity deal. Under this agreement, Apple was the exclusive platform for all of Drake’s upcoming solo releases.

In 2012, Drake founded his record company, OVO Sound, which is distributed by Warner Bros. Records. Apart from Drake, OVO Sound represents music for artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and Kash Doll, alongside producers like Boi-1da, Future the Prince, Mike Zombie, and others.

He serves as the Toronto Raptors’ “global ambassador” and hosts an annual event called Drake Night with the team.

In 2016, Drake introduced his brand of bourbon whiskey, Virginia Black. The company experienced a fervent initial demand, selling 4,000 units in the first week. Subsequently, they shipped an additional 30,000 units in the same year.

Live Performances

Drake’s initial headline tour in 2010 was named the “Away From Home Tour.” Over the years, he led five more headlining tours until 2019. Additionally, he participated in four co-headlining tours, including a notable 2018 tour with the hip-hop group Migos.

His 2016 “Summer Sixteen Tour” broke records, becoming the highest-grossing hip-hop tour back then, raking in $84.3 million from 54 shows. That’s an average of $1.56 million per concert. The subsequent tour with Migos in 2018 surpassed this record with $80 million from 43 dates, averaging $1.86 million per concert.

Annually, Drake organizes a swiftly sold-out festival in Toronto known as “OVO Fest.”

He also holds a residency at Las Vegas’ XS Nightclub, where he can earn up to $500,000 for a single appearance. For more formal concerts, his earnings now reach over $2 million.

Private Affairs

Over the years, Drake has been involved in several high-profile relationships. His on-and-off relationship with Rihanna lasted from 2009 to 2016. Later, he publicly declared Rihanna as “the woman I’ve loved since I was 22 years old.”

In October 2017, Sophie Brussaux, a French model/actress/artist, gave birth to Drake’s son, Adonis. Drake confirmed his fatherhood in 2018, a year later.

Stats are from 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050.