Jump to content

OVO Sound

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from OVO Sound Radio)

OVO Sound
Founded2012
FounderDrake
40
Oliver El-Khatib
StatusActive
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of originCanada
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
Official websiteovosound.com

OVO Sound (acronym of October's Very Own) is a Canadian independent record label, founded in 2012 by rapper Drake, producer 40, and manager Oliver El-Khatib.[2] The label operated as an imprint of Warner Records from its formation until 2022.

The label has signed acts including Drake, PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, Roy Woods, Dvsn, Baka Not Nice, Popcaan, Smiley, and Naomi Sharon. In-house producers include 40 himself, Boi-1da, Nineteen85, Mike Zombie, T-Minus, and DJ Prince.

History

[edit]
Drake founded the label in 2012

The label's roots can be traced back to 2006, when Drake's first official mixtape, Room for Improvement, was released under the unofficial record label "All Things Fresh" which eventually became "October's Very Own". Drake later raised the profile of the label by prominently featuring OVO throughout his music, regularly mentioning the label in songs and on stage, as well as promoting OVO merchandise.[3]

The record label was officially founded in 2012 by Drake and long-time collaborators Noah "40" Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib following the success of Drake's second studio album Take Care. According to Billboard, Drake signed a five-year partnership deal with Warner Records,[4] which was extended in 2017.[5]

Drake was signed as a solo artist to Republic Records through Young Money and Cash Money for nine years. Drake's 2018 release Scorpion was his last project under Young Money/Cash Money.[6] On the other hand, the artists Drake signs to OVO Sound through Warner have their content distributed through the latter.[7][8]

Upon founding the label in 2012, Drake and 40 signed frequent collaborators Boi-1da, T-Minus, and Mike Zombie to the label as in-house producers (the latter two are the only active signees in the label to come outside of Canada).[9] In April 2013, it was reported that Drake was close to signing the label's first recording artist, PartyNextDoor, which he ended up revealing shortly thereafter.[10] In August 2013, Drake announced that he signed Toronto music duo Majid Jordan to OVO Sound.[11] OB O'Brien and iLoveMakonnen would soon sign in 2014, with the latter being the first non-Canadian act and second non-Canadian signee after to Mike Zombie. Makonnen would eventually leave OVO Sound in April 2016, wishing to pursue his interests as a solo artist with Warner. Canadian rap artist Roy Woods and R&B duo Dvsn, composed of singer Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85, soon joined the label in 2015 and 2016, with each act releasing an EP and studio album respectively.[12][13][14][15] In 2021, Canadian rapper Smiley was signed to the label.[16][17]

On January 20, 2023, OVO announced the signing of Dutch-Caribbean singer, Naomi Sharon, becoming the first female artist on the label.[18][19]

On January 23, 2024, Santa Anna Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music, announced an investment and partnership with OVO Sound, stating that they'd take over distribution for the label alongside provide new and existing A&Rs for the label.[1]

Roster

[edit]

Current acts

[edit]
Act Year Releases
Drake 2012 9
PartyNextDoor 2013 7
Majid Jordan 2013 4
Roy Woods 2014 6
Dvsn 2015 5
Popcaan 2016 3
Baka Not Nice 2017 1
Smiley 2021 2
Naomi Sharon 2023 2

Former acts

[edit]
Act Year Releases
ILoveMakonnen 2014–2016 4
Plaza 2017–2021 1

In-house producers

[edit]
Act Year
Noah "40" Shebib 2012
Boi-1da[20] 2012
T-Minus 2012
Nineteen85 2013
OG Ron C 2013

OVO Sound Radio

[edit]

OVO Sound Radio was a radio program that aired on Beats 1, fortnightly on Saturdays. The show primarily aired newer material, with at least one song premiering in each broadcast. The show's initial airing was on July 11, 2015, and it was hosted by Drake and Oliver El-Khatib. The show is notable for debuting hit Drake singles, such as platinum-selling "Hotline Bling", and chart-topping "One Dance". The show ended on October 27, 2018.

Sound 42

[edit]

On March 4, 2021, Drake announced that he and Oliver would debut their new 24 hour radio station, "Sound 42" on Sirius XM featuring the return of OVO Sound Radio that same night.[21] In an interview with GQ, Drake spoke on the partnership saying "It's something that Scott [Greenstein] from SiriusXM was extremely passionate about from the inception of our partnership. He's been so supportive with us as far as Sound 42 goes. And Sirius offers us the opportunity to be heard far and wide, right? Sirius is just the closest thing we have to those days of glory radio moments and I still get a massive amount of joy premiering music when I know that everyone is listening at the same time."[22]

OVO Clothing

[edit]

October's Very Own was launched in 2011.[23] The series of clothing began with a series of collaborations between Roots Canada and OVO, which produced several parkas, jackets and other collaborations. In 2013, merchandise for the OVO figurehead included collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, which coincided with Drake becoming the franchise's Global Ambassador. OVO has since morphed into a clothing line in itself, releasing a slew of clothes during every season of the year. T-shirts, sweatshirts, varsity jackets, baseball hats, and knit beanies are seasonal installations. OVO Clothing oversaw the opening of the first OVO store for the brand's clothing in downtown Toronto, opening on December 6, 2014.[24] Exactly a year after the opening in Toronto, OVO stores expanded to the United States, opening a flagship store in Los Angeles, California. Its New York store opened in December 2016 on Bond Street, and its Chicago store in August 2019 on Walton Street in Gold Coast. OVO also opened its first location in Vancouver in December 2018.[25]

Its pre-2016 collection was composed of basketball shorts, OVO jerseys, track jackets, and baggy hoodies.[26]

On November 9, 2020, it was revealed via the OVO Clothing Instagram account that NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky would be a model for the Fall and Winter 2020 collection.[27] Gretzky and OVO Clothing founder Drake are both native to southern Ontario, Canada. Also featured in the collection was former Canadian Olympian Ross Rebagliati,[28] who won a gold medal in Giant Slalom Snowboarding in the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

OVO Collaborations

[edit]
Toronto based OVO clothing line collaborating with the NFL brand. OVO x KC (Kansas City Chiefs)

Since its inception, OVO has collaborated with various sports franchises, athletes, sports apparel companies, fashion brands etc; here is a list of some of the collaborations:

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Artist Album Details Peak chart positions Certification
CAN
[C]
US
[D]
Drake Nothing Was the Same 1 1 RIAA: 6× Platinum[53]
PartyNextDoor PartyNextDoor Two
  • Released: July 28, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
19 15 RIAA: Gold[54]
Majid Jordan Majid Jordan
  • Released: February 5, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
20 69
Dvsn Sept. 5th
  • Released: March 27, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
69 133
Roy Woods Waking at Dawn
  • Released: July 1, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
30 127
PartyNextDoor PartyNextDoor 3
  • Released: August 12, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
4 3 RIAA: Gold[55]
Dvsn Morning After
  • Released: October 13, 2017[56]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
19 38
Majid Jordan The Space Between
  • Released: October 27, 2017[57]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
30 74
Roy Woods Say Less
  • Released: December 1, 2017[58]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
26 92
PartyNextDoor Partymobile
  • Released: March 27, 2020[59]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
3 6
Dvsn A Muse in Her Feelings
  • Released: April 17, 2020[60]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
13 23
Popcaan Fixtape
  • Released: August 7, 2020
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
15 94
Dvsn & Ty Dolla Sign Cheers to the Best Memories
  • Released: August 20, 2021[61]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
139
Drake Certified Lover Boy
  • Released: September 3, 2021
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
1 1 RIAA: 3× Platinum
Majid Jordan Wildest Dreams
  • Released: October 22, 2021
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Smiley Buy or Bye 2
  • Released: November 12, 2021
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake Honestly, Nevermind
  • Released: June 17, 2022
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
1 1 RIAA: Platinum
Dvsn Working on My Karma
  • Released: October 22, 2022
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Drake & 21 Savage Her Loss
  • Released: November 4, 2022
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
1 1 RIAA: 2× Platinum
Popcaan Great Is He
  • Released: January 27, 2023
  • Label: OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download
Roy Woods Mixed Emotions
  • Released: July 28, 2023
  • Label: OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake For All the Dogs
  • Released: October 6, 2023
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
1 1
Naomi Sharon Obsidian
  • Released: October 20, 2023
  • Label: OVO Sound, Santa Anna Label Group
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, LP
Majid Jordan Good People
  • Released: November 3, 2023
  • Label: OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, LP
PartyNextDoor PartyNextDoor 4
  • Released: April 26, 2024
  • Label: OVO Sound, Santa Anna Label Group
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, LP
13 10

Compilation albums

[edit]
Artist Album Details Peak chart positions Certification
CAN US
Drake Care Package
  • Released: August 2, 2019[62]
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound[63]
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download
1 1

Soundtrack albums

[edit]
Artist Album Details
Various Artists Top Boy (A Selection of Music Inspired by the Series)
  • Released: September 13, 2019[64]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner[65]
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Mixtapes

[edit]
Artist Album Details Peak chart positions Certification
CAN US
Drake If You're Reading This It's Too Late
  • Released: February 13, 2015
  • Label: Young Money, Cash Money, Republic, OVO Sound
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
1 1 RIAA: 4× Platinum
Popcaan Vanquish
  • Released: December 20, 2019[66]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake Dark Lane Demo Tapes
  • Released: May 1, 2020[67]
  • Label: Republic, OVO Sound
  • Format: Streaming, digital download
1 2

EPs

[edit]
Artist Album Details
PartyNextDoor PartyNextDoor
  • Released: July 1, 2013
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Majid Jordan A Place Like This
  • Released: July 17, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
PartyNextDoor Colours
  • Released: December 3, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
iLoveMakonnen iLoveMakonnen
  • Released: December 15, 2014
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Roy Woods Exis
  • Released: July 31, 2015
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
iLoveMakonnen iLoveMakonnen 2
  • Released: November 20, 2015
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Roy Woods Nocturnal
  • Released: December 21, 2016
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
PartyNextDoor Colours 2
  • Released: June 2, 2017
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Plaza SHADOWS
  • Released: June 10, 2017
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
PartyNextDoor Seven Days
  • Released: September 28, 2017
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Baka Not Nice 4Milli
  • Released: August 3, 2018
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake The Best in the World Pack
  • Released: June 15, 2019
  • Label: OVO Sound, Frozen Moments, Republic[68]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Roy Woods Dem Times
  • Released: May 15, 2020[69]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
PartyNextDoor Partypack
  • Released: October 16, 2020
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner
  • Formats: Digital download
Drake Scary Hours 2
  • Released: March 5, 2021[70]
  • Label: OVO Sound, Republic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Naomi Sharon Another Life
  • Released: January 20, 2023
  • Label: OVO Sound
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Santa Anna Label Group to Partner With Aubrey "Drake" Graham, Noah "40" Shehib, Oliver El-Khatib and Mr. Morgan's OVO Sound". January 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Drake's OVO Sound Label Teams Up With City of Toronto to Create Music Committee". August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Drake's OVO Sound Releases Three-Piece Merch Collection". Complex Networks.
  4. ^ "Drake's OVO partners with Warner Bros. Records". Consequence. December 4, 2012.
  5. ^ Aswad, Jem (May 3, 2017). "Drake's OVO Sound Label Extends Deal With Warner Bros". Variety.
  6. ^ "Report: Lil Wayne's UMG Deal Includes Drake and Nicki Minaj's Masters".
  7. ^ "Drake's OVO Label Flies To Warner Bros. Records – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  8. ^ Ugwu, Reggie. "Drake's OVO Record Label Inks Deal With Warner Bros". BET. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  9. ^ "10 Artists That Should Sign To Drake's OVO Sound – Page 7 of 11 – XXL". Xxlmag.com. August 12, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  10. ^ "Listen to PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake's New Artist Signing to OVO (Soon) – XXL". Xxlmag.com. April 22, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  11. ^ "Drake Wants New Single To Be Played At Weddings". XXL. August 7, 2013.
  12. ^ On June 10, 2017, newest signee Plaza's project, Shadow EP, debuted on OVO Sound Radio episode 45. Gilmore, Mike (August 7, 1997). "Puff Daddy Cometh". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  13. ^ Carissimo, Justin (October 24, 2016). "Drake announces 'More Life' project, shares four new songs on OVO Sound Radio". The Independent. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  14. ^ Morgan Britton, Luke (October 24, 2016). "Stream three new Drake songs from 'More Life' project". NME. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  15. ^ Willis, Jay (October 24, 2016). "Drake Just Dropped Four New Songs Off More Life as an Early Birthday Gift". GQ. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  16. ^ "OVO Sound Official Site Artists". OVO Sound Official Site. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "Drake Signs Toronto Rapper Smiley To OVO Sound + Blesses Him With A Verse". HipHopDX. July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Pavlakos, Louis (January 20, 2022). "Drake Announces New OVO Sound Signing Naomi Sharon: "I Been Waiting For This Day"". Complex. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  19. ^ "DRAKE INTRODUCES OVO SOUND'S FIRST FEMALE ARTIST: 'BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY'". HipHopDX. January 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "Boi-1da Shares Stories Behind Drake's "Started From The Bottom" | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop | HipHop DX". Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  21. ^ "Listen to Drake's OVO Sound Radio on SiriusXM's SOUND 42 Channel". Complex. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  22. ^ STATS HOUGHTON, EDWIN (January 23, 2023). "How Drake and OVO Are Reinventing Radio with Sound 42". GQ.
  23. ^ "How the OVO Clothing Label Evolved With Drake's Career". Complex Networks. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  24. ^ "Drake Opens Flagship OVO Store in Totonto". Fashion Network.
  25. ^ Rap star Drake’s streetwear brand to open Gold Coast store RYAN ORI, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, July 17, 2019
  26. ^ Rooney, Kyle (August 10, 2016). "OVO Apparel Line Pre-fall collection". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  27. ^ "October's Very Own on Instagram: "The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. October's Very Own® / FW2020"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  28. ^ "October's Very Own on Instagram: "OVO X ROOTS / FW2020 Featuring Ross Rebagliati Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  29. ^ "We Can't take our eyes off the new NFL x OVO Buffalo Bills collab". newyorkupstate.com. December 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "NFL OVO second collaborative capsule collection release info". hyperbeast.com. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "SMEG and OVO Collaborate for Exclusive Appliance Collection". retail-insider.com. October 16, 2024.
  32. ^ "Drake's "OVO" clothing brand launches Yale merchandise". yaledailynews.com. September 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "Drake OVO Air Jordan collaborations history". footbasket.com. October 24, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  34. ^ "OVO Launches Limited College Collection with Texas, Kentucky & More". boardroom.tv. October 27, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  35. ^ "FaZe Clan x OVO new clothing collaboration". Drake. January 2, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  36. ^ "Drake's OVO Unveils New NBA Collaboration With Bobby Shmurda-Fronted Campaign". hypebeast.com. September 27, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  37. ^ "Drake's OVO Collaboration With Clarks Is Here (But Probably Just Sold Out)". www.billboard.com. May 26, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  38. ^ "Canada Goose Addresses Drake's Coat Infidelity Issues". refinery29.com. November 23, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  39. ^ "The importance of Drake's collaboration with Barcelona". nss-sports.com. October 20, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  40. ^ "William Nylander models for latest Maple Leafs x OVO clothing collaboration". yardbarker.com. November 22, 2024.
  41. ^ "OVO's Original Six NHL Capsule is Cold". yardbarker.com. October 27, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  42. ^ "Raptors and OVO Elevate Partnership with OVO Athletic Centre Naming Rights Deal". nba.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  43. ^ "Drake – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  44. ^ "PartyNextDoor – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  45. ^ "Majid Jordan – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  46. ^ "Dvsn – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  47. ^ "Roy Woods – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  48. ^ "Drake – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  49. ^ "PartyNextDoor – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  50. ^ "Majid Jordan – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  51. ^ "Dvsn – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  52. ^ "Roy Woods – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  53. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  54. ^ "Gold & Platinum – RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  55. ^ "Gold & Platinum – RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  56. ^ "Instagram post by dvsn • Aug 1, 2017 at 10:03pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  57. ^ "The Space Between by Majid Jordan on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  58. ^ "Instagram post by ROY WOOD$ • Aug 1, 2017 at 9:01pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  59. ^ Minsker, Evan (February 28, 2020). "PARTYNEXTDOOR Announces New Album PARTYMOBILE, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  60. ^ Ivey, Justin (April 16, 2020). "dvsn Returns With 'A Muse In Her Feelings' Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  61. ^ "dvsn and Ty Dolla $ign Announce Joint Album 'Cheers to the Best Memories'". Rap-Up. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  62. ^ Yoo, Noah (August 1, 2019). "Drake Announces New Care Package Compilation Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  63. ^ "Drake Achieves Ninth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Care Package'". Billboard. August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  64. ^ "The tracklisting for Drake's 'Top Boy' soundtrack has been revealed". NME. September 11, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  65. ^ "DRAKE & OVO SOUND PRESENT "TOP BOY" SOUNDTRACK". HipHopDX. September 12, 2019.
  66. ^ "Popcaan Releases New Mixtape Vanquish: Listen". Pitchfork. December 20, 2019.
  67. ^ "Drake's 'Dark Lane Demo Tapes': Stream It Now". hBillboard. May 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  68. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 18, 2019). "Drake's 'Best in the World Pack' Serves as First Release Without Young Money or Cash Money Records". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  69. ^ "Dem Times – EP". Apple Music. May 15, 2020.
  70. ^ Moore, Sam (March 4, 2021). "Drake is releasing 'Scary Hours 2' tomorrow". NME. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
[edit]