Dennis Graham
Dennis Graham
Career
Music
Drums
Dennis Graham's music Career began in 1962, when he learned how to play drums by banging the tin round tubs that people used to take baths in; he used that as a bass drum. He eventually got his first set of drums from James Brown's drummer after making him give Graham his set. [17]
Dennis Graham eventually became a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis. [27]
Solo Career
In 2017, Dennis Graham released his single, "Kinda Crazy," along with a music video for it. [19]
Drake's Lyrical References
Graham "flexing" in Drake's music video for "Worst Behavior"
Dennis's son Drake has referenced his father on several occasions in his music.
On "Uptown," a track on his mixtape So Far Gone , he raps: [10]
Damn, where I get it from? These niggas always wonder who Then they meet my pop and tell him, "Drake is just a younger you"
Later in the EP, Drake mentions Dennis again on "The Calm":
Hoping Western Union doing currency exchange Cause my dad called and got me feeling guilty and ashamed [...] So I'm filling out the form from the counter once again He say he love me, I just hope he doesn't say that shit in vain
On "Fireworks," the first song on Drake's first studio album Thank Me Later , he references Dennis's past: [9]
My dad called me up knowing that I still listen And he’s still got his foot out, guilt trippin’ It’s been years, though, I just learn to deal with it
On "Two Birds, One Stone," Drake raps: [12]
My dad used to use a soap bar 'til it's thinnin' out But, shit, look at Dennis now All Stacy Adams and linnen'd out More blessings for Sandy and him, more life My parents never got it right But God bless 'em both, I think we all alike We all wide awake late at night, thinking on what to change If we do get to do it twice in another life
In 2013, Dennis Graham appeared in his son's music video for "Worst Behavior." [14] This was from Drake's album, Nothing Was the Same . This was the first time the public was formally introduced to the online world. He lip synced parts of the song after Drake contacted him saying he wanted him to do so as part of the video. [17]
On the next track, "From Time,"
I've been dealing with my dad, speaking of lack of patience Just me and my old man getting back to basics We've been talking 'bout the future and time that we wasted
Dennis is also the face on the cover of Drake's 2017 project.
In 2020, Drake sampled his father's voice and used it in his song "Losses". The intro, interlude, and outro on the track are taken from Drake’s Instagram Live session with his father, that occurred on March 21, 2020, amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and international quarantine efforts used to deter its spread. "Losses" is produced by OZ, Foreign Teck, Elyas, and Sevn Thomas, and finds Drake reminiscing on a relationship that went off-track as he became famous.[53]
Acting
Arkells Music Video
In July 2016, Arkells, a Canadian rock band from Ontario, Canada, released a video for one of their future songs called "Drake's Dad." It was later revealed that Graham was in fact in the video as well, causing it to go viral. [16]
Virginia Black Commercial
In November 2017, Virginia Black released an ad that featured Dennis, his son Drake, and actress/model Niki Murphy. [5] A commercial that sources claim to be a potential sequel to Drake's Viriginia Black ad in July 2017, the commercial starts off with Drake's song "Passionfruit" playing the background. Drake picks up a glass of Virginia Black and sees a woman across the bar. When Drake tries take a shot of the whiskey and approach her, she passes him up for his dad. [2]
Personal Life
Graham used to live in Toronto, Canada with his wife Sandi and his son Aubrey (better known as Drake). However, Sandi and Dennis split up when Drake was 5 years old. [11] This prompted Dennis to move back to Memphis. [17]
Relationship with Drake
In October 2019, Dennis accused Drake of writing phony song lyrics about their relationship to sell records.
He made the statement on Nick Cannon’s Close Conversations radio show on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. [42]