Several Labels Involved In Bidding War Over Rapper Drake

Wednesday June 3rd 2009

Without even having a number-one hit under his belt yet, Drake is causing quite a commotion in the music business. Billboard.com reports several record labels have engaged in an all-out battle to land the 22-year-old Canadian-born rapper. Sources say Universal Motown and Atlantic Records are in on the action, which is being dubbed, quote, “one of the biggest bidding wars ever.” Insiders expect Drake to wind up at Universal Motown because of the label’s connection to the rapper’s current home — Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. However, one unidentified company has reportedly offered Drake a two-million-dollar signing bonus to sweeten the pot. Drake previously told Billboard.com, quote, “whatever label we sign to, it’ll be because they’ll add to what we’ve created on our own.” Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, has been gaining attention with his single “Best I Ever Had.” The track currently sits at number two on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks chart, just behind the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow.” The rapper has also admitted to writing tunes for Rihanna.