Who Owns Drake? Record Label & Current Music Contracts Explained
Drake is currently signed to Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), through his own record label, OVO Sound. He initially signed with Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records in 2009, which were also distributed by Republic Records.
OVO Sound, which Drake co-founded in 2012, operates as his primary label and serves as an imprint of Republic Records. The partnership allows Drake to maintain creative control while benefiting from Republic's extensive distribution network and industry expertise.
The artist's relationship with Republic Records has proven highly successful, resulting in numerous chart-topping albums and singles. This includes record-breaking releases like "Scorpion," "Certified Lover Boy," and "Her Loss" (with 21 Savage).
Key aspects of Drake's label situation:
• Primary Label: Republic Records • Personal Imprint: OVO Sound • Distribution: Universal Music Group • Former Labels: Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records
Drake's current deal with Republic Records, signed in 2021, is reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars and gives him greater control over his music and creative projects. Under this arrangement, he retains ownership of his master recordings while leveraging Republic's global distribution capabilities.
Through OVO Sound, Drake has also helped develop other artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and dvsn, expanding his influence in the music industry beyond his own successful career.
This label structure has played a crucial role in Drake's rise to become one of the most commercially successful artists in music history, with over 170 million records sold worldwide.