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Getty Images | Instagram/champagnepapi
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Drake’s Mom Was Bedridden When He Was a Child - Everything about Sandi Graham

Bettina Dizon
Aug 17, 2022
08:20 P.M.
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Drake's mom, Sandi Graham, had difficulty making ends meet when her son was still a child. Nevertheless, she always encouraged Drake to follow his dreams, no matter how difficult they seemed. Now a successful musician, Drake feels that he owes his achievements to his mom. Here's more about Sandi.

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Sandi Graham is famously known for being Canadian rapper Drake's mother. Although she didn't have an easy life after separating from Drake's father, Sandi did her best to give Drake the best life possible.

More than providing for his needs, she always guided her son and encouraged him to pursue his dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem to reach. Here's a closer look at Sandi's personal life and struggles while raising Drake.

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WHO IS DRAKE'S MOM, SANDI GRAHAM?

Graham, born on January 28, 1960, is a Canadian from a Jewish family. Her parents, Reuben and Evelyn Sher were close to Drake growing up, so he dedicated the opening of his exclusive Air Canada Centre club to them. As shared in an Instagram post, as told by Table Mag:

"My grandmother was the first person to ever play catch with me, and my grandfather was the biggest sports fan in the world. I opened this club in memory of both of you."

Sandi first met Drake's father in a club, Club Bluenote, in the '80s. However, the pair separated after giving birth to their son on October 24, 1986. Sandi stayed with their son in Toronto, Canada, while her ex returned to Memphis to pursue different crafts.

Drake included the great things that his career has brought them as well, including enough money for Sandi's operation and a dream vacation to Rome.

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DRAKE'S MOM STRUGGLED TO MAKE ENDS MEET

Following their separation, Sandi struggled to make ends meet and provide for her child. While some may think Drake grew up with everything served on a silver platter, his reality was quite the opposite. "I didn't grow up happy," the rapper said. "I wasn't in a happy home."

Sandi was sick with no money. As Drake recalled, they were "broke," with the only income coming from Canadian TV, which was not enough to cover the bills. The "Hotline Bling" singer was raised on Weston Road and relocated to Forest Hill before he entered high school.

Sandi did whatever she could to make life better for her family, so she found them a home to live. Drake lived in the basement while his mom stayed on the first floor. When he attended school, Drake found it challenging to find his footing amongst his peers as he did not fit in. "I went to school with kids who were very fortunate," he said. "I never fit in. I was never accepted."

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At one point, Sandi found life too difficult that she tried to escape. One night, she broke down and tried to run away from the house, wanting to leave it all behind," Drake shared. Sandi always ended up coming back to her family. Her son added:

"My father doesn't stay with us, so I had to be security for her and just let her know that everything is going to be alright."

DRAKE'S MOM HAD HEALTH ISSUES

While raising her son, Sandi struggled to live a healthy life. She had osteoporosis and joint pain, leaving her in bed and isolated for a significant time during Drake's childhood. Because of her declining health, Sandi became a heavy smoker and a user of pain medication, which only led to disagreements and arguments with her son.

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With Drake's success came questions about his father's private life from curious minds. As it turned out, Drake inherited his passion for music from his father, Dennis Graham, a professional musician from Memphis.

Drake's challenging life experiences inspired some of his music, including the lyrics of "Look What You've Done," a song that touched on Sandi's health and their relationship as mother and son. The artist's music talked about his mom's pain medication and smoking habit as the cause of their fights.

However, their arguments come from their love for each other, as Drake cares for his mother's health while she cares about his spending habits. Drake included the great things that his career has brought them as well, including enough money for Sandi's operation and a dream vacation to Rome.

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Sandi's spine surgery pushed her to greater and healthier times. "She's looking younger than ever, moving better than ever. I sent her on her first vacation in like 22 years. She went to Rome," Drake shared.

Their life and relationship were nothing close to a fairytale, but Sandi cared about her son more than anything, as he cared about her as well. Fortunately, his success in the music industry solved a significant part of their problem with finances.

WHO IS DRAKE'S FATHER, DENNIS GRAHAM?

With Drake's success came questions about his father's private life from curious minds. As it turned out, Drake inherited his passion for music from his father, Dennis Graham, a professional musician from Memphis.

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Dennis was a drummer who once collaborated with Jerry Lee Lewis. Although Toronto was his home, Dennis relocated to Memphis and had his son visit in the summer. Once behind bars, he still tried to spark his son's interest in music and made his cellmate rap to Drake over the phone.

Drake's interest in hip hop began thereon. "My father is an incredible man – charming, talented, and stylish – and I'm sort of living the dream he had for himself," Drake once said. "But his actions served as that reverse role model for me."

With all that he has accomplished, Drake's mother remains the proudest of her son. In 2021, Sandi left Drake poetic notes ahead of his "Certified Lover Boy" album release.

Once, the father and son had a public dispute over Drake's song about Dennis as a dad. According to Dennis, he confronted the rapper about him not being absent, to which Drake said such lyrics sell records.

Drake during the "Top Boy" UK Premiere at Hackney Picturehouse on September 04, 2019 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Drake during the "Top Boy" UK Premiere at Hackney Picturehouse on September 04, 2019 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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Drake later posted on Instagram, claiming that his father would "say anything to anyone willing to listen to him." He added that there were no lies in what he had said and that the truth was difficult to accept for others.

Their relationship improved afterward as Drake posted several photo albums featuring his father drinking and bonding with him. Previously, the record producer surprised his father with a $150,000 Bentley for Father's Day for all Dennis's sacrifices for Drake.

Dennis shared his son's sweet gesture to the world with an Instagram post featuring a blue Bentley parked in what seemed like his home. Fans immediately shared their sentiments in the comments section and said that every good father deserves a good son.

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DRAKE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOTHER, SANDI GRAHAM

With all that he has accomplished, Drake's mother remains the proudest of her son. In 2021, Sandi left Drake poetic notes ahead of his "Certified Lover Boy" album release. "It's finally come, the countdown has reached one, with each new album my heart skips a beat, being your mother has been my life's greatest treat," she wrote, as per People.

Drake wasn't shy to post his mom's sweet note on Instagram for his fans to see, mainly because he believes that he owes his success to Sandi. Despite their challenges in the past, Drake looks up to his mother for her unconditional love and support.

Fortunately, Drake has more than enough to give back to his parents. While they are no longer living simply, their family brought the valuable life lessons in the past with them today.

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