The Drake Effect

By Bronwen Jervis

The rap superstar has amassed a flock of musical disciples who guest on his albums, record on his label and perform at OVO Fest, his annual hip-hop blowout, which takes place this year on August 3 and 4. Here, a taxonomy of Drake’s most prolific protégés.

Boi-1da
Known for his work on tracks like “Best I Ever Had” and “Headlines,” Boi-1da also produced Eminem’s hit “Not Afraid.”

J. Cole
After the blogosphere invented a false beef between the rappers, Drake offered to guest on Cole’s mixtape. The next year, Cole opened for Drake on tour.

Kendrick Lamar
Before making it big, Lamar guested on Drake’s record Take Care. Last year, Lamar called Drake out on his song “Control,” rapping that he was “tryna murder” him.

Future the Prince
Drake’s personal DJ and one of the main architects of OVO Fest, he’s also worked private parties for Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Jhene Aiko
The hip-hop dream girl is best known for her syrupy-sweet vocals on “From Time,” which she reprised with Drake on Saturday Night Live in January.

40
Drake’s chief producer created the “Toronto sound”—Drake’s signature moody beats and backtracks. He’s also been working with Beyoncé, Nas and Usher.

The Weeknd
In 2011, Drake stoked huge interest in the mysterious crooner by posting a handful of his songs on his blog and inviting him to perform at OVO Fest.

Sampha Sisay
The singer met Drake at a Wrongbar gig in 2011. He added a soulful edge to Drake tracks like “Too Much,” and released an EP in 2013.

Mike Zombie
Zombie created the wobbly house beats in “Started From the Bottom” and released a mixtape during OVO last December.

T-Minus
Since producing tracks on Drake’s 2011 album Take Care, T-Minus has gone on to work with Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Ludacris.