Drake's Record Label: Everything You Need to Know About His Music Deals

Drake's Record Label: Everything You Need to Know About His Music Deals

By Daniel Rosewood

March 16, 2025 at 12:54 AM

Drake is currently signed to Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, through his own label OVO Sound. He co-founded OVO Sound in 2012 alongside producer Noah "40" Shebib and business partner Oliver El-Khatib.

The Canadian rapper's record label journey began when he signed with Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records in 2009. This partnership proved instrumental in launching his mainstream career with his debut album "Thank Me Later" in 2010.

Today, Drake maintains a complex but strategic label structure. While OVO Sound operates as his primary imprint, it functions through a distribution deal with Republic Records. This arrangement allows him to maintain creative control while leveraging the distribution power of a major label.

Notable releases under this label configuration include:

Views (2016)
Scorpion (2018)
Certified Lover Boy (2021)
Honestly, Nevermind (2022)
Her Loss (2022)
For All The Dogs (2023)

OVO Sound isn't just Drake's label - it's also home to other artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and dvsn. The label has become a significant force in the music industry, particularly in Toronto's music scene.

The relationship with Republic Records has proven highly successful, with Drake consistently breaking streaming records and achieving multiple platinum certifications. This partnership allows him to maintain artistic independence while accessing major label resources for distribution and promotion.

I should note that while Drake's music is distributed through Republic Records, he still maintains connections with Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records, though these relationships are primarily historical rather than active business partnerships.

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