He may have Started From The Bottom.
But Drake will never forget the people who got him here.
The 33-year-old rapper – full name Aubrey Drake Graham – showed off his vast tattoo collection during his vacation in Barbados as he went shirtless on the beach.
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Started from the bottom now he’s here: Drake showed off his vast tattoo collection during his vacation in Barbados as he went shirtless on the beach
A majority of his body art definitely seems to be of his nearest and dearest including family, producer named 40, and mentor Lil Wayne but perhaps the most interesting pieces would be late singer Aaliyah and British singer Sade.
Drake obviously did not know Aaliyah – full name Aaliyah Dana Haughton – personally as she died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001 but he has expressed an obsession with her throughout his entire career.
In August 2010 he even penned a letter to the late Are U That Somebody hitmaker on the ninth anniversary of her death as he wrote: ‘Not only was I one of your biggest fans but I was truly in love with you.’
Gallery of body art: A majority of his body art definitely seems to be of his nearest and dearest including family, producer named 40, and mentor Lil Wayne but perhaps the most interesting pieces would be late singer Aaliyah and British singer Sade
Gone too soon: Drake obviously did not know Aaliyah – full name Aaliyah Dana Haughton – personally as she died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001 but he has expressed an obsession with her throughout his entire career, she is seen in March 2000
Sweetest Taboo: He has two portraits of the 61-year-old singer born in Ibadan, Nigeria – full name Helen Folasade Adu CBE AKA Sade- on the left side of his torso as he met her on his European tour and was completely mesmerized by her
Vibes: Drake donned a pair of khaki swim shorts as he strolled the beach
Work of art: He proudly flaunted his tattoos
He has made multiple references to her in his music and even sampled her cover of Isley Brothers hit At Your Best for his 2010 track Unforgettable.
Drake and his producer 40 were even named as executive producers for a posthumous Aaliyah album before it was called off two years later due to negative reactions about the project from her fans, family, and collaborator Timbaland.
The Canadian rapper also has not one but two tattoos dedicated to another female artist he admires in Sade.
Squad: He was not alone on the outing as he was joined by two male pals
Paving the way: Drake wouldn’t have had the success he had in music without mentor Lil Wayne and his producer 40 as he also has them inked on his body
Icon: His tattoo of 37-year-old Wayne (seen in July 2019) is on his left tricep as the New Orleans based rapper helped him rise to success via record label Young Money Entertainment
Bond: 40 – real name Noah James Shebib – has produced all of Drake’s albums as they are two of the three co-founders of the OVO Sound label, as they are seen together with Usher in 2012
He has two portraits of the 61-year-old singer born in Ibadan, Nigeria – full name Helen Folasade Adu CBE – on the left side of his torso as he met her on his European tour and was completely mesmerized by her.
Drake once said of Sade: ‘Her brand is so strong and she’s such an amazing woman, but the melody she chooses to use and her voice has that dark, and sexy feel that a lot of So Far Gone has.’
Drake wouldn’t have had the success he had in music without mentor Lil Wayne and his producer 40 as he also has them inked on his body.
His tattoo of 37-year-old Wayne is on his left tricep as the New Orleans based rapper helped him rise to success via record label Young Money Entertainment.
Getting his feet wet: Drake took a dip in the ocean
Family first: Last but not least, the former star of Degrassi: The Next Generation also has several inkings of his family including mother Sandi and father Dennis Graham in addition to uncle Steve and grandmother Evelyn Sher
Mama’s boy: There is probably no one that means more to the rapper than his mother Sandra ‘Sandi’ Graham as he has her inked in the middle of his back, as they are seen together in March 2011
His idol: , Drake has his father Dennis’s mugshot on his right tricep as he spent years in prison due to drug-related charges
without this man, there is no me… Uncle Steve’: The Tootsie Slide hitmaker also has his uncle Steve on his upper back as he credits him for inspiring him to pursue music, in December 2012, he shared a childhood photo of himself with his uncle
Muse: Next to that inking was a portrait of his grandmother Evelyn Sher whom he always considered a lucky charm and guided him in his music career before her passing in November 2012
40 – real name Noah James Shebib – has produced all of Drake’s albums as they are two of the three co-founders of the OVO Sound label.
The 37-year-old Canadian producer was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2005.
Last but not least, the former star of Degrassi: The Next Generation also has several inkings of his family including mother Sandi and father Dennis Graham in addition to uncle Steve and grandmother Evelyn Sher.
There is probably no one that means more to the rapper than his mother Sandra ‘Sandi’ Graham as he has her inked in the middle of his back.
Hanging out: Drake seemed to be in good shape on his holiday
Sandi – who is an Ashkenazi Jewish Canadian who worked as an English teacher and florist – raised the rapper in Toronto after her divorce with the rapper’s father and his incarceration.
Speaking of which, Drake has his father Dennis’s mugshot on his right tricep as he spent years in prison due to drug-related charges.
The Tootsie Slide hitmaker also has his uncle Steve on his upper back as he credits him for inspiring him to pursue music.
In December 2012, he shared a childhood photo of himself with his uncle with the caption: ‘without this man, there is no me… Uncle Steve.’
Out and about: No doubt it was a great day of fun in the sun
Next to that inking was a portrait of his grandmother Evelyn Sher whom he always considered a lucky charm and guided him in his music career before her passing in November 2012.
Drake seemed to be having a fun and relaxed time as he hit the beach in the Carribean in nothing but a pair of khaki swim shorts.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Energy hitmaker has seemingly had no problem taking photos with locals in recent days despite no social distancing.
He even had a big crowd around as he played a pick-up game of basketball in the beautiful Caribbean island.
Hanging out: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Energy hitmaker has seemingly had no problem taking photos with locals in recent days despite no social distancing
It is interesting to note that Drake’s megastar ex Rihanna is from Barbados but she does not seem to be at home currently.
After shooting some hoops, Drake did not hesitate to come in close to pose for some photos with fellow players but he did wear a face mask for some precaution.
He even partook in some of the nightlife where he could be seen taking even more photos with adoring fans.
Good spirits After shooting some hoops, the 33-year-old Canadian rapper – full name Aubrey Drake Graham – did not hesitate to come in close to pose for some photos with fellow players but he did wear a face mask for some precaution.
Squad: He even partook in some of the nightlife where he could be seen taking even more photos with adoring fans
Missed connection? It is interesting to note that Drake’s megastar ex Rihanna is from Barbados but she does not seem to be at home currently; pictured in 2016
Drake could even be seen partying it up in a crowded club with talented UK-based rapper Dave.
The Canadian rapper’s trip to the island comes just two days after Barbados reopened their borders for tourism on July 12.
Travelers to the Caribbean country will be required to present proof of a negarive COVID-19 test or immediately submit a test and quarantine in Barbados at your own expense until receiving those test results.
Drake has seemingly had himself a great summer despite the COVID-19 as last month he enjoyed Father’s Day with his two-year-old son Adonis.
Proud papa: Drake has seemingly had himself a great summer despite the COVID-19 as last month he enjoyed Father’s Day with his two-year-old son Adonis
Proud papa: Drake shared an Instagram Story video of himself opening presents made by his son
Happy: Adonis marveled at his new basketball hoop
Bond: The mother of Drake’s son Sophie Brussaux could also be seen in the clip staring at her son adoringly
The rap superstar rapper posted the photo to Instagram while celebrating ‘all the real g’z’ on Father’s Day.
Adonis looked a bit groggy in the photo and appeared to have just woken up in bed.
He had on a white pajama top covered in multicolored stars and sports a shock of curly dark blonde hair.
‘Happy Fathers Day to all the real g’z handling business,’ Drake captioned the cute photo.
Father’s Day: Though he didn’t include a photo, Drake also tagged his father Dennis Graham in the picture
Though he didn’t include a photo, Drake also tagged his father Dennis Graham in the picture.
Since he was publicly shamed by fellow rapper Pusha T, Drake has acknowledged his parenthood on multiple tracks on his most recent studio album, Scorpion (2018).
But it wasn’t until late March of this year that the In My Feelings rapper finally shared photos of his son’s face on Instagram.
Going public: Drake acknowledged his fatherhood on his album Scorpion (2018) after being publicly shamed by Pusha T’s diss track, but he didn’t post photos of Adonis until late March
Happy family: His slideshow also included some pictures of Drake with Adonis’ mother Sophie Brussaux, an artist and one-time porn actress
His slideshow also included some pictures of Drake with Adonis’ mother Sophie Brussaux, an artist and one-time porn actress.
It’s unclear if the hitmaker has reunited with his son yet, or if his father’s day photo was taken by Sophie, but he was clearly longing to be with him back in March.
‘I love and miss my beautiful family and friends and can’t wait for the joyful day when we are all able to reunite,’ he concluded his lengthy post.
Missing them: ‘I love and miss my beautiful family and friends and can’t wait for the joyful day when we are all able to reunite,’ he wrote in the midst of his coronavirus quarantine