Honestly, if you've ever spent a late night scrolling through Drake's Instagram or listening to his deeper cuts, you know the guy is a walking contradiction. One minute he's adopting a thick London accent, the next he’s leaning into a Memphis drawl, and by the weekend, he’s posting about his "Naija" roots. It leaves a lot of people scratching their heads. What is Drake’s ethnic background exactly? Is he just a cultural tourist, or is there a real, messy, and fascinating history behind the man born Aubrey Drake Graham?
Basically, he’s the ultimate "and" person. He’s Black and White. He’s Canadian and American. He’s Jewish and raised with Southern soul in his blood. To understand him, you have to look at the two very different worlds that collided in Toronto back in the 1980s.
The Memphis Connection: Dennis Graham’s Legacy
Drake’s father, Dennis Graham, is the source of his African-American heritage. Dennis wasn't just some guy; he was a drummer from Memphis, Tennessee, who played with the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. This isn't just a fun piece of trivia. It means Drake’s DNA is literally hardwired with the history of the American South.
Through his dad, Drake is linked to a heavy-hitting musical lineage. We’re talking about his uncle Larry Graham, who played bass for Sly and the Family Stone and Prince. Then there’s Teenie Hodges, another uncle, who was a guitarist and songwriter for Al Green. When Drake leans into that Southern "pimp" persona or talks about his ties to Tennessee, it’s not just an act. It’s a direct link to his father’s side of the family.
In 2023, things got even more specific. Drake posted a screenshot of his father’s DNA results from Ancestry.com. It turns out Dennis Graham is:
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- 30% Nigerian
- 28% Cameroonian, Congolese, and Western Bantu
- 11% Ghanaian and Ivorian
Drake’s reaction was classic Drizzy. He jokingly asked, “Does this mean I’m a Naija man finally?” While he’s 50% Black based on his father's heritage, that specific Nigerian connection gave him a new way to identify with his fans in West Africa.
Sandi Graham and the Jewish-Canadian Upbringing
Now, flip the script. While his dad was the wild, musical soul from Memphis, his mother, Sandra "Sandi" Graham (née Sher), was a white, Jewish-Canadian educator and florist. This is where the other half of Drake’s ethnic background comes from.
Sandi is an Ashkenazi Jew with roots tracing back to Eastern Europe, specifically Russia and Latvia. After his parents divorced when he was only five, Drake was primarily raised by Sandi in Toronto. This wasn't a "typical" rapper upbringing. He went to a Jewish day school. He had a Bar Mitzvah when he was 13. He celebrated Hanukkah and ate latkes.
For a long time, Drake felt like an outsider in both worlds. He lived in Forest Hill, a wealthy, predominantly Jewish neighborhood. He’s talked about being one of the only Black kids in a sea of white faces, feeling like "nobody understood what it was like to be Black and Jewish." That sense of being "different" is a huge part of why he’s so obsessed with identity today.
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Why People Get Confused About His Identity
There’s a lot of noise online about Drake’s "authenticity." Critics like Kendrick Lamar or Pusha T have often poked at the idea that Drake is a "culture shifter" who doesn't really belong anywhere. They see his mixed-race, middle-class Canadian background as a weakness in a genre that often prizes "street" struggle.
But Drake sees it as a superpower. He has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. He’s comfortable in a synagogue and a recording studio.
The reality of his genetic makeup is a blend of European, West African, and Levantine ancestry. According to some genetic breakdowns of his heritage, he is roughly:
- 50% European/Ashkenazi Jewish (from his mother)
- 50% African-American (from his father)
In terms of specific DNA, because his father has some European markers (about 8% English), Drake is technically slightly more than 50% European if you look at the raw data, but he has always identified most strongly as a Black man. He’s famously said that while being Jewish is a "cool twist," he’s more immersed in Black culture because that’s how the world sees him.
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The Cultural Tourist Label
You’ve probably seen the memes. One week he’s "Top Boy" Drake with a roadman accent, and the next he’s "Champagne Papi" with a Caribbean vibe. Because Drake’s ethnic background is so diverse, he feels he has a "permit" to explore all these different sounds.
Is it cultural appropriation or appreciation? That’s the $100 million question. To Drake, Toronto is a "cultural mosaic," not a melting pot. Growing up in a city where everyone is from somewhere else made him feel like he could be from anywhere, too. Whether he’s sampling Afrobeats or Grime, he views it as a way to bridge the gap between the various parts of his own identity.
Moving Beyond the Labels
If you want to understand Drake, stop looking for a single box. He’s not just a Canadian rapper. He’s a biracial, Jewish, American-influenced, Nigerian-descended artist who grew up in the suburbs but spent his summers in Memphis.
It’s a lot. But that "a lot" is exactly what made him the biggest artist on the planet. He can appeal to a kid in Lagos, a grandmother in a synagogue, and a teenager in a London council estate all at once.
Actionable Insights for the Curious:
- Check out the "HYFR" music video: If you want to see his Jewish heritage on full display, he literally re-enacted his Bar Mitzvah for the video.
- Listen to "Look What You've Done": This track gives the most honest, raw look at his relationship with his mother, Sandi, and his grandmother.
- Follow Dennis Graham on Instagram: If you want to see where Drake gets his flamboyant style and Memphis roots, his dad is a must-follow.
Ultimately, Drake’s background is a reminder that identity in 2026 isn't about picking a side. It’s about owning every single piece of the puzzle, no matter how much they seem to clash.