Drake

The OVO king whose early collaborations with Abel remain a footnote in both their careers.

Drake is a towering figure in the modern music landscape who operates under his own OVO (October's Very Own) banner, but contrary to some fan theories, he is not a member of XO and has no official role bridging XO and OVO. While he and Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) both emerged from Toronto's vibrant music scene, their relationship has been publicly strained since around 2013, and their creative paths have largely diverged.

Last updated 2026-09-29 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Aubrey Drake Graham

Born

24 October 1986

Birthplace

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Other names

Champagne Papi
Drizzy
6 God
The Boy

Occupation

Rapper
singer
songwriter
entrepreneur
actor

Citizenship

Canada; United States

Relatives

Larry Graham (uncle); Teenie Hodges (uncle)

Children

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

While their early collaborations—like 'Crew Love' and 'Live For'—blended The Weeknd's atmospheric R&B with Drake's melodic rap, these tracks were not chart-topping hits and have not been followed by further official XO releases. Their creative synergy was brief, and since around 2013, their relationship has been marked by public tension rather than brotherhood. In fan interpretations, they are sometimes seen as two sides of a coin, but the reality is that their partnership faded early, with each artist forging a separate path.

Reader's Guide

Drake is not an official member of the XO collective but remains its most significant external partner. His contributions often appear as high-profile features on Abel's albums, where he provides hooks or verses that anchor the ethereal production in relatable storytelling. He has co-written numerous tracks for The Weeknd, helping to shape the lyrical direction of major hits. This collaboration highlights a deep trust between the two artists, allowing them to experiment with genres ranging from dark R&B to pop and hip-hop without fear of creative boundaries. While Drake runs his own OVO label, he frequently supports XO projects through studio sessions, promotional appearances, and shared performances. Their relationship is defined by mutual respect and a history that predates their individual global fame, making them inseparable figures in the narrative of modern music.

Did You Know?

Drake and The Weeknd have collaborated on only two official tracks: 'Crew Love' (peaked at #80) and 'Live For' (peaked at #89).
They have rarely appeared together at award shows, and Drake has not produced or written for The Weeknd's albums.