Born in October himself, Drake created OVO Sound as a platform to launch his own artists. On their official website, OVO Sound is described as a record label founded by Aubrey Drake Graham and long-time friends and partners Noah “40” Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib. The trio combines to form one of the most successful teams in hip-hop. Officially created in 2012 (Drake’s Comeback Season and So Far Gone mixtapes were “released” through OVO years earlier) and based in Toronto, the label serves as a home to a collection of singers, rappers, and producers.
Unlike many other hip-hop collectives, OVO doesn’t squad up publicly, or drop over-hyped compilation albums. They move separately with distinctly different members constructed and aligned under one roof. They work together as a team without using gimmicky clique theatrics while featuring on labelmate's tracks at the right time. Drake, arguably hip-hop’s current commercial king, has done an immaculate job of branding his label and positioning his artists for success.
OVO Sound not only functions as a label, but also as a radio show on Beats 1 radio. The show premiers new music from OVO artists, along with exclusive interviews and prestigious guest hosts. Giving his artists their own radio program on Beats 1 was ingenious, and Drake continues to influence and invent new paradigms in hip-hop culture. Although OVO’s official roster houses enough talent to compete with any other artist label, their affiliates are just as important to the direction of the crew.
While producers Boi-1da and T-Minus may not be officially signed to Drake’s label, their importance within the clique is unquestionable. Even The Weeknd, who was monumental in the Take Care phase of Drake’s career, can be considered an influential OVO affiliate. OVOXO just sounds so good together.
Whether officially signed, ride-or-die clique member, or influential associate, OVO has amassed a powerful network that is reminiscent of 90’s power crews like Roc-A-Fella and The Ruff Ryders. Drake does rap “I used to wanna be on Roc-A-Fella then I turned into Jay.” We can’t disagree.
From Majid Jordan to Plaza and Roy Wood$, here is the complete roster of the talent over at OVO Sound and their affiliates.
Drake
OVO Lead Man
The 6 god himself, OVO’s founding father Aubrey Graham dropped his first mixtape Room For Improvement on his All Things Fresh label, a seed that would grow to become OVO later. In some of Drake’s earlier records, you can hear him rapping about ATF. In “Ransom” featuring Lil’ Wayne, Drake spits, “I’m ATF, but they ain’t seeing no badge.” That may be one of the last times Drizzy shouts out All Things Fresh, because soon after it evolved into OVO for life. In fact, ATF’s website shut down just one year before Drake made OVO Sound an official label. After branding October’s Very Own with an owl, a visual representation of the letters OVO, Drake started building his roster. Currently, OVO features 12 artists.
PARTYNEXTDOOR
OVO Signee
The first artist signed to OVO, Jahron Brathwaite aka PARTYNEXTDOOR is a songwriter first, and an artist second. His hypnotic melodies and distinct voice propelled him to stardom under October’s Very Own. Equally talented with a pen, PND has written hits for Rihanna (“Work”) and Beyoncé (“Shining”). This summer’s radio smash “Wild Thoughts,” also featured PND’s writing. His self-titled debut album was released in 2013, but he has dropped five projects since then. If you haven’t heard his music, you may have read about him stealing Kehlani away from Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving. Currently, PND is working on Club Atlantis, his third official studio album.
Majid Jordan
OVO Signee
Majid Jordan consists of two members, Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman. The R&B duo met at the University Of Toronto and quickly became friends. 40 discovered the duo, who went by the name Good People at the time, and signed them to OVO. Majid Jordan became a household name after Drake featured them on “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” one of the most successful singles in his archive of bangers. Majid Jordan released their first EP under OVO in 2014, entitled A Place Like This, and they are currently on tour for their latest release, The Space Between.
OB O'Brien
OVO Signee
OB O’Brien is like the Turtle of OVO Sound. He has a scarce number of songs floating around the internet, but his hilarious presence in the videos for “HYFR” and “Started From the Bottom” launched a comedic sidekick career for the Hamilton, Ontario resident. His remix of “2 On” with Drake is his best track, but currently it seems like OB has taken a hiatus from rap.
Roy Wood$
OVO Signee
Hailing from Brampton, Ontario, Denzel Spencer has the persona of James Dean, The Weeknd, and Nelly, all rolled into one. His debut EP Exis was released through OVO in 2015 after Drake premiered Wood$ track “Drama” on his Beats 1 radio program. Most of his music is revealing and personal, much like Drake’s Take Care era of songs, and it's the perfect backdrop for late night drives and reminiscent realizations. Currently Wood$ is working on the follow up to his 2016 EP Nocturnal.
dvsn
OVO Signee
Pronounced “division,” dvsn is an R&B group that consists of producer Nineteen85 and singer Daniel Daily. Nineteen85, born Paul Jefferies, hails from Toronto. He is most famous for producing Drake’s hit singles “One Dance,” “Hotline Bling,” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” and also Nicki Minaj’s “Truffle Butter.” Daniel Daily, a talented vocalist who is also from Toronto, has shrouded himself in secrecy since gaining public attention. dvsn has never officially announced the members of their group, in an attempt to remain mysterious. Consistent writing credits and fans who played detective have firmly proven the duo of Daily and Jeffries as the masterminds behind dvsn. Recently, the duo released an album entitled Morning After.
PLAZA
OVO Signee
Choosing to remain anonynous, 40 premiered PLAZA’s Shadow EP on OVO Sound Radio earlier this year, as a commencement for the most recent OVO signee. Another R&B singer in the OVO Sound crew, PLAZA got his big break when FADER featured his song “Personal” on their site, which also went on to be featured on OVO Sound Radio before he was signed. PLAZA is currently working on his next project, but has kept the details under wraps.
Baka Not Nice
OVO Signee
Drake’s bodyguard turned rapper is OVO’s link to the streets. He’s been the muscle behind Drake’s bravado for years, but he went to jail in 2015 for Human Trafficking and Assault. On “Know Yourself” Drizzy raps “I might declare it a holiday as soon as Baka get back on the road,” a controversial but loyal shout out to Baka while he was locked up. Since his release, Baka has dropped a slew of singles on Soundcloud.
Noah "40" Shebib
OVO Co-Founder
Drake’s right-hand man, Noah “40” Shebib, single-handedly created the aesthetics of Drizzy’s entire sound and co-founded OVO Sound. His mother, Tedde Moore, played Miss Shields in the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story, and was pregnant with him during the production of the movie. He started as a child actor like Drake, but transitioned to a full-time producer after his Djing skills placed him in influential circles. 40 met Drake during his time acting on Degrassi. He’s produced the majority of Drake’s catalogue and invented the melodic slow brooding sound that has come to define Drizzy’s music. At the age of 22, 40 was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease his mother also suffered from. His sickness has not affected his ability to craft some of the best instrumentals in the last decade and currently, 40 and Drake are in the lab working on a new album
Boi-1da
OVO Affiliate
If 40 is on Drake’s right side, Boi-1da is his left. Matthew Jehu Samuels was born in Kingston, Jamaica, before relocating to Toronto at a young age. He began creating instrumentals in FL Studio at the age of 15 and helped produce Drake’s first mixtape Room For Improvement. Boi-1da also produced Drake’s breakout single “Best I Ever Had,” which established both of their careers. He’s produced for a number of artists outside of the OVO crew, including Rihanna’s “Work,” Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” Kendrick’s “The Blacker the Berry,” and G-Eazy’s “No Limit.” Currently, Boi-1da is working with Drizzy and 40 on Drake’s next project.
Mike Zombie
OVO Affiliate
Battle rapper Hollow Da Don linked Drake with “Started From The Bottom” producer Mike Zombie in 2012. Don gave Zombie Drake’s email and instructed him to send the YMCMB rapper some beats. Born William Coleman, Zombie sent Drake a consistent string of emails filled with beats for months until Drizzy finally hit him back. It was history from then on. Zombie also raps but is only signed to OVO as a producer. Recently, he dropped a collaborative album with Benzi Ayo entitled Ea$tside Story.
Future the Prince
OVO Affiliate
Adel Nur aka Future the Prince is Drake’s tour DJ and co-manager. He got the nickname Future because he would get booked to play at Toronto clubs before he had an ID to get in. In “6 pm in New York” Drake raps “If me and Future hadn’t made it with this rappin’/ We prolly be out in Silicon tryna get our billions on.” He wasn’t talking about Nayvadius.
Oliver El-Khatib
OVO Co-Founder
Drake’s co-manager and OVO co-founder Oliver El-Khatib met 40 first and formed a DJ crew called the Lebanon Dons years before Drizzy was involved. El-Khatib, who was always obsessed with fashion, began working at a clothing shop called Lounge in Downtown Toronto. It was there that he would meet Drake, and their relationship would grow from their similar taste in style and music. Oliver’s ear for talent makes him the most valuable member of the OVO crew. Other than helping Drake develop his sound alongside 40, Oliver discovered both The Weeknd and PARTYNEXTDOOR. When Oliver isn’t steering Drizzy’s career, he is managing OVO’s clothing line.
T-Minus
OVO Affiliate
Tyler Williams aka T-Minus hails from the Greater Toronto Area. He’s been rocking with Drake since co-producing “Replacement Girl” alongside Boi-1da off Drake’s sophomore mixtape Comeback Season. When T-Minus isn’t crafting bangers for Drizzy, he’s loaning his talents to other hip-hop heavyweights such as Kendrick Lamar (“Swimming Pools (Drank)”), Ludacris (“How Low”), A$AP Rocky (“PMW (All I Really Need)”) and Lil’ Wayne (“Rich As Fuck”). T-Minus has a sporadic relationship with music and has left the game to remain in solitude for years before returning.
The Weeknd
OVO Affiliate
Everybody knows Abel. His first three mixtapes, House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, launched him into superstardom, but it was Drake who placed Abel on the path to fame. Producer Jeremy Rose, who was later erased from The Weeknd’s history, produced three records for Abel: “What You Need,” “The Morning (Original Version)”, and “Loft Music.” Abel released those three tracks online anonymously and they caught the attention of Oliver El Khatib, who reposted them prompting major outlets to cover the up-and-coming Canadian R&B artist. Although Drake and Abel initially split after their work on Take Care, fans of Drizzy widely agree that his second studio album was his best work. In an interview with Rolling Stone, The Weeknd admits that he gave up almost half of his debut album to Drake for Take Care. Drizzy and The Weekend may not collaborate at the same level anymore, but each of their tales of success is deeply tied to each other.
ILOVEMAKONNEN
Past OVO Signee
Makonnen Sheran was originally discovered on YouTube by Mike Will Made It. The two worked together briefly, before Mike Will Made It introduced Makonnen to ATLien heavyweights Metro Boomin’ and Sonny Digital. The working relationship grew with the latter producers, and “I Don’t Sell Molly No More,” produced by Sonny Digital, ended up on Miley Cyrus’ playlist. Miley posted Makonnen’s single on her Instagram, and that endorsement travelled all the way to Drake. Drizzy hopped on the “Tuesday” remix, and everyone knows the story from there. ILOVEMACKONNEN signed with OVO Sound after the successful collaboration, but left the label after creative differences kept his follow-up project on the shelf for over a year.
Anthony ‘Fif’ Soares
OVO Affiliate
RIP. Anthony ‘Fif’ Soares was gunned down this past September in what appeared as a well-planned execution. Security footage shows two masked gunmen approach a lobby entrance and shoot at Fif through the windows. After he hits the ground, the gunmen continue firing at his body, before escaping in a Ford Fusion driven by a third suspect. Soares was a close friend of Drake, who got the late OVO affiliate tattooed on his arm after his passing. On the track “No Long Talk,” Drizzy raps “Just know man like Fif, he’s a sickaz.” The investigation into the shooting has proven ineffective.
Theo Skudra
OVO Photographer
A picture is worth a thousand dollars. Theo Skudra has spent the last few years capturing almost every candid moment in Drake’s life. When Drizzy reaches a ripe old age, and pictures of his glory days begin to resurface, Theo’s work will be most prevalent. Theo strictly uses black and white photos to give even the simplest candid a hint of noir. He made his directorial debut on The Game’s music video for “100,” which features Drake, and continues to serve as the official OVO photographer.
Mark Robinson
OVO Affiliate
OVO Mark is one of Drake’s oldest and best friends. He serves an advisory role to the OVO lead man, helping with everything from beat selections to wardrobe choices. When Drake raps, “Golden State having practice at my house,” he’s referring to a match between Steph Curry and his brother-in-law Jaz Alexander. Jaz is Ayesha Curry’s brother, and Ayesha is Mark Robinson’s cousin. Small world.
They don't wanna see you happier than them
Nessel “Chubbs” Beezer
OVO Head of Security
Chubbs is the head of Drake’s security. His sole purpose is to protect Drizzy at all costs, and his connection to the streets bridges Drake’s suburban image with the hood. If you see Drake just know Chubbs is close behind.
Angelo “Gelo” Ferraro
OVO Affiliate
Gelo was once Drake’s favorite waiter at Sotto Sotto, the restaurant that he mentions on “Pound Cake/ Paris Morton Music 2.” Their friendship grew, and when Drizzy launched Fring’s, a restaurant in Toronto, he included Gelo as a partner. Now that’s a come-up.
Sinatra lifestyle I'm just being frank with you
Anthony “Hush” Palman
OVO Affiliate
Hush collaborated heavily with Drake on Take Care and NWTS. He has writing credits on “Worst Behavior,” “Own It,” “Crew Love,” “The Language,” “HYFR,” and several other classics. Although Hush has been called a ghostwriter, the OVO crew claims that he actually helps build ideas and advise Drizzy on his sound.
Jason “J Mac” Macaraig
OVO Barber
J Mac is Drake’s personal barber, who has been shaping Drizzy up since Niko introduced them. It’s rare that Drake goes on tour without J Mac, and he has been known to fly his barber out for a fresh cut if necessary.
Niko Carino
OVO Affiliate
Niko met Drake back in the Degrassi days, and the two have been great friends ever since. Other than assisting OVO with advertising and merchandising, Niko organizes Drake’s OVO Bounce basketball tournament. Drake calls Niko his “closest confidant” in the Thank Me Later album credits.
Jonny Roxx
OVO Personal Trainer
Remember when Drake was scrawny? Jonny Roxx is responsible for Drizzy’s massive muscle gain. He serves as the official OVO trainer, and works with several members of the crew to maintain their gains. Before serving as Drake’s personal trainer, Roxx pursued a career in hip-hop.
Ryan Silverstein
OVO Affiliate
Ryan is Drake’s real-life cousin, and he celebrates Passover with the Graham family. Ryan is the driving force behind Topszn, a collective within OVO that features some of Drake’s childhood friends.
CJ Gibson
OVO Affiliate
CJ serves as Drake's tour manager. On Birdman's "4 My Town," Drake raps, "Off a cup of CJ Gibson, and I'm faded off the brown." Drizzy nicknamed one of his favourite drinks, Remy Martin 1738, after his road dog.