Drake
Drake in 2011, photo by kathclick/bigstock.com
Birth Name: Aubrey Drake Graham
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth: October 24, 1986
Ethnicity:
*African-American (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)
Drake, also known by his birth name Aubrey Drake Graham, or as Champagne Papi, Drizzy, and 6 God, is a Canadian actor, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. Beginning as an actor, he starred as Jimmy Brooks on the show Degrassi: The Next Generation, and appeared in the films Charlie Bartlett and Ice Age: Continental Drift. He later released a popular mixtape, and has since had a successful musical career. His songs include “Best I Ever Had,” “Find Your Love,” “Take Care,” “Started from the Bottom,” “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” “Hotline Bling,” “Summer Sixteen,” “One Dance,” “God’s Plan,” “Nice for What,” “In My Feelings,” “Nonstop,” “Toosie Slide,” “Laugh Now Cry Later,” “What’s Next,” “Way 2 Sexy,” “Girls Want Girls,” “Jimmy Cooks,” and “Search & Rescue.” Drake founded the production company DreamCrew, and the fragrance house Better World; heads the OVO fashion label, co-founded the OVO Sound record label, and the bourbon whiskey Virginia Black; has collaborated with Nike, and is a part owner of Italian football club A.C. Milan.
Drake’s American father, Dennis Graham, a musician/drummer, is African-American. Drake’s Canadian mother, Sandi (Sher), a teacher and florist, is Ashkenazi Jewish, of Latvian Jewish and Russian Jewish descent. Drake was raised Jewish; he attended a Jewish day school and was Bar Mitzvah. Drake is a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S.
Drake has a son with French artist Sophie Brussaux.
On his father’s side, Drake is related to American musicians Teenie Hodges (born Mabon Lewis Hodges), a rhythm and lead guitarist and songwriter, and Larry Graham, a bass guitar player.
Drake’s father Dennis Graham in 2014, credit: Santiago Interiano / PRPhotos.com
Drake’s maternal grandfather was Reuben “Ruby” Sher (the son of Morris Sher and Julia Novick). Reuben was born in Toronto, to Latvian Jewish parents, from Riga. Julia was the daughter of Vichna Novick.
Drake’s maternal grandmother was Evelyn Etta Brontman (the daughter of Avraham/Abraham Brontman/Brantman and Lena/Leah/Lina Zlatka Osherenko/Osheronko/Usherenko). Evelyn was born in Toronto, to Russian Jewish/Polish Jewish parents. Abraham was the son of Israel Brantman and Rachel/Rachil Goldin. Lena was the daughter of Abram/Abie/Avrum Osherenko/Osheronko/Usherenko and Gitel/Gertie/Gitlya/Gittel Weinerman/Veynerman.
Drake with his mother Sandi Graham in 2010, photo Credit: Robin Wong / PR Photos
A DNA test taken by Drake’s father whose results Drake displayed on his Instagram page stated that Drake’s father’s genetic ancestry includes:
*30% Nigeria
*28% Cameroon, Congo & Western Bantu Peoples
*11% Ivory Coast & Ghana
*8% England & Northwestern Europe
Sources: Genealogy of Drake (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Drake’s maternal great-grandparents, Morris Sher and Julia Novick, on the 1911 Canadian Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Drake’s maternal grandmother, Evelyn Etta (Brontman) Sher – http://www.legacy.com
Marriage records of Drake’s maternal great-grandparents, Avraham/Abraham Brontman/Brantman and Lena/Leah/Lina Zlatka Osherenko/Osheronko/Usherenko – https://www.familysearch.org
https://www.familysearch.org
yo i am his biggest fan nobody can top me kk :)
lmfao !!!!!
we can say that drake is caught between two stupid rules: the one drop black and the one drop jewish !!!!
One drop black: if you have black blood in you, you’re black. Simple but stupid
One drop jewish: if your mother is jewish, you’re considered as a pure jewish in the jewish community even if your father isn’t jewish. Stupid too when we know that judaism is NOT an ethnicity but a religion, but jewish people considers itself as an ethnicity.
Anyway drake is half black and half jewish, and nobody has to discuss that. Point.
Im stuck in the rule too and I love it wouldnt have it any other way unless you are the culture you cant really say this applies or that dont apply we are who we are my mother is half Jewish half black- blacks believe if your father is black you are black- Jews believe if your mother is Jewish you are Jewish, well we are both and love it, of course black always comes first! and by the way Jewish is an ethnicity especially when you are a russian Jew!
wow drake, your such a cocksucker, i wanna be just like YOU!!!
Drake has a white jewish mom okay!! I seen his mom the woman has blonde hair and blue eyes!!
Omg! All this ignorance is making my eyes bleed! Jewish is a culture ðnic group and yes the one drop rule is in full effect u should embrace all parts of ur nationality!