You probably know the lyrics. "I got it from my dad," or the endless, heartfelt odes to "Sandi." But if you actually look at the lives of Sandi and Dennis Graham, the story is way more complicated than just a rapper being a "certified lover boy" or a mama’s boy.
It’s easy to think of Drake's parents as just characters in his songs. We see Dennis in the white suits, the mustache, and the R&B videos. We hear about Sandi’s health struggles and her Jewish heritage in Toronto. Honestly, the reality is a mix of Memphis soul, Toronto struggle, and a divorce that basically rewrote Drake's entire DNA before he even hit middle school.
The Nightclub Meeting and the Memphis Connection
People always ask how a Jewish teacher from Toronto and a Black drummer from Memphis even met in the 80s. It sounds like a movie script. Dennis Graham was a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis—yeah, the "Great Balls of Fire" guy. He was touring, doing his thing, and he ended up at a Toronto nightclub called Club Bluenote.
Sandi (born Sandra Sher) was there. Dennis needed a cigarette. She gave him one.
That was it.
They got married in 1985 and had Aubrey Drake Graham in 1986. But the "happily ever after" didn't even make it to Drake's sixth birthday. By 1991, they were done.
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Dennis headed back to Memphis. Sandi stayed in Toronto.
Drake's Mom and Dad: Two Very Different Worlds
When the divorce happened, Drake didn't just lose a live-in father; he entered a period of his life that he’s described as "broke." This is the part people get wrong. Because he grew up in Forest Hill—a wealthy neighborhood in Toronto—everyone assumes he was a rich kid.
He wasn't.
Sandi moved them to Forest Hill so he’d be in a better environment, but they lived in the basement and the first floor of a house they didn't own. While the neighbors were driving luxury cars, Sandi was working as an English teacher and a florist, struggling with severe osteoporosis and joint pain.
Sandi Graham: The Backbone
Sandi is the reason Drake is "the 6 God." She raised him as a Black Jewish kid in a world where he didn't quite fit either mold. She threw him a Bar Mitzvah. She pushed him to do Degrassi.
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But it wasn't all sunshine. In tracks like "Look What You’ve Done," Drake talks about the arguments. The smoking. The pain medication she needed for her illness. He’s been very open about the fact that his mom was often bedridden, leaving him to become the "man of the house" at 14 or 15.
Dennis Graham: The Rockstar Myth
Then you have Dennis. For years, the narrative was that Dennis was a "deadbeat." Drake’s early lyrics painted a picture of a father who was in and out of jail, someone who wasn't there.
Dennis, however, has gone on the record saying that’s not true. He claims he was always there and that Drake "embellished" the story to sell records. Who’s telling the truth? Probably a bit of both. Dennis was definitely in Memphis while Drake was in Toronto. He was definitely a musician living a rockstar lifestyle. He even has a famous brother, Larry Graham, who played bass for Prince and Sly and the Family Stone.
The musical talent didn't come from nowhere. It’s in the blood.
The Kendrick Lamar Factor
You can't talk about drake's mom and dad in 2026 without mentioning the absolute chaos of the Kendrick Lamar feud. In the track "Meet the Grahams," Kendrick did something most rappers wouldn't dare: he addressed the parents directly.
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He called out Dennis for "raising a horrible person" and spoke to Sandi about her son’s "habits." It was a level of personal attack that brought the Graham family history back into the spotlight. It reminded everyone that while Drake is a global superstar, he’s still a son.
Where Are They Now?
Despite the messy lyrics and the public call-outs, the family seems... okay? Surprisingly.
- Dennis Graham is a full-blown celebrity in his own right now. He’s got his own R&B career (check out "Kinda Crazy") and he’s a staple in the Toronto and Memphis nightlife scenes.
- Sandi Graham remains Drake's closest confidante. He bought her a massive house, he takes her to award shows, and he’s constantly posting her on Instagram.
- The Reconciliation: After years of tension, Dennis and Sandi have actually been seen together at events for their grandson, Adonis. Dennis even posted a tribute to Sandi for her 75th birthday, calling her "Pinky."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to understand the "real" Drake, you have to look past the "Certified Lover Boy" persona and look at the duality of his upbringing.
- Listen to "You & The 6" and "Look What You've Done": These are the most honest portrayals of his relationship with Sandi.
- Research the Memphis Music Scene: To understand Dennis, look into the history of Royal Studios and the North Memphis Band. The "soul" in Drake’s music isn't manufactured; it’s a direct link to his father's heritage.
- Recognize the Persona vs. Reality: Much of the "struggle" Drake mentions is real, but as Dennis suggests, it's also part of a carefully crafted musical narrative.
The story of Sandi and Dennis isn't just a footnote in a biography. It’s the tension that creates the music. The high-class Forest Hill lifestyle mixed with the grit of Memphis soul. Without that specific, weird, often difficult combination of parents, we wouldn't have Drake.