Canadian rapper and singer Drake celebrates his 40th birthday on October 24, 2026, marking four decades of a life that has made him one of the biggest names in global music. As he reaches this milestone, the artist is also making headlines for major music certifications, a Billboard chart record and a copyright lawsuit involving one of his songs.

Born Aubrey Drake Graham in Toronto, Canada, on October 24, 1986, Drake first became known as an actor. He played Jimmy Brooks in the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation before turning his attention to music. His early mixtapes, especially So Far Gone, helped him gain attention and led to his signing with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment.

Drake went on to release successful albums, including Take Care, Nothing Was the Same and Views. His mix of rap, R&B and melodic vocals helped him build a global audience and influence a generation of artists.

In October 2026, Drake reached another major milestone in the United States. According to reports on his latest Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certifications, his total has passed 350 million certified units across his music. His album Views has also received Diamond certification, which represents 10 million certified units in the United States. His songs “Marvins Room” and “In My Feelings” have also reached Diamond status. These figures include sales and streaming equivalents, rather than only physical album sales.

Drake also made Billboard chart history in May 2026 when three of his albums, Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour, occupied the top three positions on the Billboard 200 in the same week. Reports described the achievement as the first time an artist had held all three top positions in a single week since the chart began its regular weekly rankings in 1956.

However, the rapper has also faced legal questions. Songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield filed a copyright lawsuit alleging that the chorus of Drake’s song “Janice STFU” copied material from a demo. Drake’s representatives have denied the allegations and described the lawsuit as baseless. The claims remain disputed and should not be treated as proven wrongdoing.

Drake has also reportedly begun celebrating his 40th birthday. According to XXL, he gathered with close friends, including OVO artist Popcaan, at Toronto’s CN Tower on October 21. He was later seen dining at Mamo in New York on October 22. These reports came just days before his birthday.

From his early acting days to his rise as a global music star, Drake has built a career filled with chart records, hit songs and major awards. As he turns 40, his latest achievements show that his influence on the music industry remains significant, while his next moves continue to attract attention from fans around the world.