Drake on 'rich upbringing': 'People build stories about my life'
Published Aug 4 2012, 08:38 BST | By Kristina Bustos
Warning: This article contains language and/or sexual references that younger readers are advised to avoid.
Drake has commented on criticism about his upbringing.
The 'Take Care' artist grew up in a wealthy neighbourhood called Forest Hills in Toronto, which has been used against him in his career as a rapper.
© Rex Features
"People like to build their own story about my life," he told NOW magazine. "I don't know if it makes them feel better, or if it makes it okay for them to not like me, but the last thing I grew up as was rich.
"I had rich friends, but they weren't giving me their money. I'm just not the type of guy to go, 'No, no, no, I'm not rich'. People can say whatever they want about me, though. If they really want to learn them, the facts are out there.
"But I guess it's easier on their hearts if I didn't have to struggle, and makes it easier to not like me. It is what it is."
Drake previously mentioned in the past how his mother "didn't have much money".
He revealed that the concept of his music video for 'HYFR' was inspired by being too poor as a child to throw a proper Bar Mitzvah party.
"When I had a Bar Mitzvah back in the day, my mum really didn't have that much money," he shared. "We kinda just did it in the basement of an Italian restaurant, which I guess is kinda like a faux pas.
"I told myself that if I ever got rich, I'd throw myself a re-Bar Mitzvah. That's the concept for the video."
Watch Drake's 'HYFR' music video below:
You're a second-rate rapper anyway, Drake. You should stick to singing - you're actually half-decent at that. Made me laugh when Drake claimed to be the only guy in music who can equally rap and sing. Has he never heard of a guy called Akon? He raps and sings all the time in his songs.
August 7th 2012 at 4:52pm
both of his albums are about love, relationships and self-examination, so where's the topic of growing up being rich in his music?
August 5th 2012 at 2:45pm
Its not like he raps about being from the ghetto most of his music is about love, relationships etc...
August 5th 2012 at 11:59am
so true!
August 5th 2012 at 2:43pm
He has a wealthy background? I didn't know, mainly cause I never cared.
But I don't see big deal. I can understand the criticism, though. He's never endured hardship, or ordeals. All his life he was born into elite status. He doesn't know racial profiling, racism, poverty, etc. Many of our parents who lived in economic situations where economic freedom is limited had to do it through hardwork. Sacrifice. Many of our parents did.
But to discredit a wealthy person in the hip-hop community is a bit premature, though. Is unjustified. He is rich, no big deal. Romney is rich, and he is running for President. If you want to expand your expectations, go for it. Don't matter what social class you are from.
Look at Tom Hanks son. He too wants to do it.
August 4th 2012 at 5:35pm
Where does it say in the handbook on rapping that you had to have grown up in the projects/compton/anywhere super poor gangland east/west coast USA in order to become a successful rapper?
Okay I get it, this was how hip hop started, but it doesn't have to be how it continues.
The blues was started by African-American slaves in the deep south, but correct me if I'm wrong, John Mayer (white middle class guy) does a pretty good job of it, doesnt he?
August 4th 2012 at 12:16pm(+2 likes)