OVO Sound
{{Short description|Canadian record label}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox record label
| bgcolor = #000000
| name = {{color|white|OVO Sound}}
| image = OVO Sound.svg
| parent =
| founded = 2012
| founder = Drake
40
Oliver El-Khatib
| status = Active
| distributor = {{bulleted list|Warner Records (2012–2022)|Santa Anna Records/Sony Music (2024–present){{Cite web|url=https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/santa-anna-label-group-to-partner-with-ovo-sound/|title=Santa Anna Label Group to Partner With Aubrey "Drake" Graham, Noah "40" Shehib, Oliver El-Khatib and Mr. Morgan's OVO Sound|date=January 23, 2024 }}|Republic Records (Drake releases; 2012–present)}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|Toronto sound|trap|R&B|dancehall}}
| country = Canada
| location = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| url = {{URL|ovosound.com}}
}}
OVO Sound (short for October's Very Own) is a Canadian independent record label, founded in 2012 by rapper Drake, producer 40, and manager Oliver El-Khatib.{{cite web|url=http://thedrop.fm/drake-ovo-sound-label-city-of-toronto-music-committee/|title=Drake's OVO Sound Label Teams Up With City of Toronto to Create Music Committee|date=August 5, 2013 |access-date=August 11, 2016}} The label operated as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group until 2022, after which it became an independent label.
The label has signed acts including 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, and T-Minus.
History
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/drakerelated-releases-ovo-sound-merch|title=Drake's OVO Sound Releases Three-Piece Merch Collection|website=Complex Networks }}
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,{{cite web |title=Drake's OVO partners with Warner Bros. Records |url=https://consequence.net/2012/12/drakes-ovo-partners-with-warner-bros-records/ |website=Consequence|date=December 4, 2012 }} which was extended in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Drake's OVO Sound Label Extends Deal With Warner Bros. |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/drake-ovo-sound-warner-bros-1202408125/ |website=Variety|date=May 3, 2017 }}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2020/12/17/lil-wayne-umg-deal-drake-nicki-minaj-masters/|title = Report: Lil Wayne's UMG Deal Includes Drake and Nicki Minaj's Masters}} On the other hand, the artists Drake signs to OVO Sound through Warner have their content distributed through the latter.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698366/drake-ovo-warner-bros.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209033650/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698366/drake-ovo-warner-bros.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 9, 2012 |title=Drake's OVO Label Flies To Warner Bros. Records – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV.com |date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Ugwu |first=Reggie |url=https://www.bet.com/article/q1fc7k/drake-s-ovo-record-label-inks-deal-with-warner-bros |title=Drake's OVO Record Label Inks Deal With Warner Bros. |publisher=BET |access-date=May 7, 2013}}
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).{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/08/10-artists-that-should-sign-to-drakes-ovo-sound/7/ |title=10 Artists That Should Sign To Drake's OVO Sound – Page 7 of 11 – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=August 12, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2013}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/bangers/2013/04/listen-to-partynextdoor-drakes-new-artist-signing-to-ovo-soon/ |title=Listen to PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake's New Artist Signing to OVO (Soon) – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=April 22, 2013 |access-date=May 7, 2013}} In August 2013, Drake announced that he signed Toronto music duo Majid Jordan to OVO Sound.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/08/drake-wants-hold-on-were-going-home-to-be-played-at-weddings/|title=Drake Wants New Single To Be Played At Weddings|work=XXL|date=August 7, 2013 }} 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.On June 10, 2017, newest signee Plaza's project, Shadow EP, debuted on OVO Sound Radio episode 45.
{{cite magazine | last = Gilmore | first = Mike | title = Puff Daddy Cometh | date = August 7, 1997 | magazine = Rolling Stone | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/puffdaddy/articles/story/8898835/puff_daddy_cometh?source=puffdaddy_rssfeed | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071002102752/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/puffdaddy/articles/story/8898835/puff_daddy_cometh?source=puffdaddy_rssfeed | access-date = May 16, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 2, 2007 }}{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/drake-announces-more-life-project-shares-four-new-songs-on-ovo-sound-radio-a7377166.html | date = October 24, 2016 | access-date = October 24, 2016 | first = Justin | last = Carissimo | work = The Independent | title = Drake announces 'More Life' project, shares four new songs on OVO Sound Radio}}{{cite web | url = https://www.nme.com/news/drake-more-life-two-birds-one-stone-sneakin-fake-love-stream-online-1759640 | date = October 24, 2016 | access-date = October 24, 2016 | first = Luke | last = Morgan Britton | publisher = NME | title = Stream three new Drake songs from 'More Life' project}}{{cite web | url = https://www.gq.com/story/drake-new-songs-more-life | date = October 24, 2016 | access-date = October 24, 2016 | first = Jay | last = Willis | publisher = GQ | title = Drake Just Dropped Four New Songs Off More Life as an Early Birthday Gift}} In 2021, Canadian rapper Smiley was signed to the label.{{Cite web|title=OVO Sound Official Site Artists|url=https://www.ovosound.com/artists|access-date=2021-07-23|website=OVO Sound Official Site|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-07-23|title=Drake Signs Toronto Rapper Smiley To OVO Sound + Blesses Him With A Verse|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.63436/title.drake-signs-toronto-rapper-smiley-to-ovo-sound-blesses-him-with-a-verse|access-date=2021-07-23|website=HipHopDX}}
On January 20, 2023, OVO announced the signing of Dutch-Caribbean singer, Naomi Sharon, becoming the first female artist on the label.{{cite news|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/louis-pavlakos/drake-signs-naomi-sharon-with-ovo-sound|title=Drake Announces New OVO Sound Signing Naomi Sharon: "I Been Waiting For This Day"|last=Pavlakos|first=Louis|date=January 20, 2022|access-date=January 20, 2022|work=Complex}}{{cite web |title=DRAKE INTRODUCES OVO SOUND'S FIRST FEMALE ARTIST: 'BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-naomi-sharon-ovo-sound |website=HipHopDX|date=January 20, 2023 }}
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.
Roster
=Current acts=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Act
!Year !Releases |
---|
Drake
| style="text-align:center;"|2012 | style="text-align:center;"|9 |
PartyNextDoor
| style="text-align:center;"|2013 | style="text-align:center;"|7 |
Majid Jordan
| style="text-align:center;" |2013 | style="text-align:center;" |4 |
Roy Woods
| style="text-align:center;" |2014 | style="text-align:center;" |6 |
Dvsn
| style="text-align:center;" |2015 | style="text-align:center;" |5 |
Popcaan
| style="text-align:center;" |2016 | style="text-align:center;" |3 |
Baka Not Nice
| style="text-align:center;"|2017 | style="text-align:center;"|1 |
Smiley
| style="text-align:center;"|2021 | style="text-align:center;"|2 |
Naomi Sharon
| style="text-align:center;"|2023 | style="text-align:center;"|2 |
=Former acts=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Act
!Year !Releases |
---|
ILoveMakonnen
| style="text-align:center;" |2014–2016 | style="text-align:center;" |4 |
Plaza
| style="text-align:center;" |2017–2021 | style="text-align:center;" |1 |
= In-house producers =
OVO Sound Radio
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=
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.{{Cite web|title=Listen to Drake's OVO Sound Radio on SiriusXM's SOUND 42 Channel|url=https://www.complex.com/music/stream-drakes-ovo-sound-radio-siriusxm-sound-42|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Complex|language=en}} 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."{{cite web |last1=STATS HOUGHTON |first1=EDWIN |title=How Drake and OVO Are Reinventing Radio with Sound 42 |url=https://www.gq.com/story/drake-ovo-sound-42-siriusxm-radio-apollo-theater-show |website=GQ|date=January 23, 2023 }}
OVO Clothing
October's Very Own was launched in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2015/10/history-of-ovo-clothing-ovo-timeline|title=How the OVO Clothing Label Evolved With Drake's Career|website=Complex Networks |access-date=August 11, 2016}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Drake Opens Flagship OVO Store in Totonto|url=https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Drake-opens-flagship-ovo-store-in-toronto,859433.html|website=Fashion Network}} 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.[https://www.chicagotribune.com%2Fcolumns%2Fryan-ori%2Fct-biz-drake-ovo-store-gold-coast-ryan-ori-20190717-xuaa7eg2izhazhxourwgjfn4wi-story.html&psig=AOvVaw3HY7sqrqW6i0YryF_SWvs8&ust=1565741032135361 Rap star Drake’s streetwear brand to open Gold Coast store] RYAN ORI, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, July 17, 2019
Its pre-2016 collection was composed of basketball shorts, OVO jerseys, track jackets, and baggy hoodies.{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/first-look-at-ovos-pre-fall-2016-collection-news.23382.html?image=11 |title=OVO Apparel Line Pre-fall collection|last=Rooney |first=Kyle |date=August 10, 2016 |website=Hotnewhiphop |access-date=August 10, 2016}}
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.{{Cite web|title=October's Very Own on Instagram: "The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. October's Very Own® / FW2020"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CHYkemejst4/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CHYkemejst4 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=Instagram|language=en}}{{cbignore}} Gretzky and OVO Clothing founder Drake are both native to southern Ontario, Canada. Also featured in the collection was former Canadian Olympian Ross Rebagliati,{{Cite web|title=October's Very Own on Instagram: "OVO X ROOTS / FW2020 Featuring Ross Rebagliati Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-COrEDQjQ/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CG-COrEDQjQ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=Instagram|language=en}}{{cbignore}} who won a gold medal in Giant Slalom Snowboarding in the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
=OVO Collaborations=
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:
- NFL (Fanatics, Inc.){{efn|group=upper-alpha|Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers & more.{{cite web| url=https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2024/12/we-cant-take-our-eyes-off-the-new-nfl-x-ovo-buffalo-bills-collab.html|website=newyorkupstate.com|title=We Can't take our eyes off the new NFL x OVO Buffalo Bills collab|date=13 December 2024}}}}{{cite web| url=https://hypebeast.com/2024/12/nfl-ovo-second-collaborative-capsule-collection-release-info|website=hyperbeast.com|title=NFL OVO second collaborative capsule collection release info|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- SMEG{{cite web| url=https://retail-insider.com/bulletin/2024/10/smeg-and-ovo-collaborate-for-exclusive-appliance-collection/|website=retail-insider.com|title=SMEG and OVO Collaborate for Exclusive Appliance Collection|date=16 October 2024}}
- Yale University{{cite web| url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/09/25/drakes-ovo-clothing-brand-launches-yale-merchandise/|website=yaledailynews.com|title=Drake’s "OVO" clothing brand launches Yale merchandise|date=25 September 2024}}
- Air Jordan{{cite web| url=https://www.footbasket.com/2017/10/drake-ovo-air-jordan-collaborations-history.html|website=footbasket.com|title=Drake OVO Air Jordan collaborations history|date=24 October 2017|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- NCAA{{cite web| url=https://boardroom.tv/ovo-college-drake-kentucky-alabama-texas-memphis-north-carolina/|website=boardroom.tv|title=OVO Launches Limited College Collection with Texas, Kentucky & More|date=27 October 2023|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- FaZe Clan{{cite web| url=https://www.thegamingwear.com/faze-clan-x-ovo-new-clothing-collaboration|website= Drake|title=FaZe Clan x OVO new clothing collaboration|date=2 January 2023|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- NBA{{cite web| url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/9/drake-ovo-nba-collaboration-bobby-shmurda-fw21-new-york-knicks|website=hypebeast.com|title=Drake's OVO Unveils New NBA Collaboration With Bobby Shmurda-Fronted Campaign|date=27 September 2021|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- Clarks{{cite web| url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/drakes-ovo-collaboration-with-clarks-is-here-7809455/|website=www.billboard.com|title=Drake’s OVO Collaboration With Clarks Is Here (But Probably Just Sold Out)|date=26 May 2017|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- Canada Goose{{cite web| url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2015/11/98234/canada-goose-coats-drake-ovo-collaboration|website=refinery29.com|title=Canada Goose Addresses Drake’s Coat Infidelity Issues|date=23 November 2015|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- FC Barcelona{{cite web| url=https://www.nss-sports.com/en/lifestyle/31223/barcelona-spotify-drake-next-artist|website=nss-sports.com|title=The importance of Drake's collaboration with Barcelona|date=20 October 2022|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- NHL{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Toronto Maple Leafs{{cite web| url=https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/william_nylander_models_for_latest_maple_leafs_x_ovo_clothing_collaboration/s1_15332_41278803|website=yardbarker.com|title=William Nylander models for latest Maple Leafs x OVO clothing collaboration| date=22 November 2024}}}}{{cite web| url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/10/ovo-octobers-very-own-nhl-original-six-collab-release|website=yardbarker.com|title=OVO's Original Six NHL Capsule is Cold|date=27 October 2023|access-date=24 December 2024}}
- Toronto Raptors{{snd}}OVO Athletic Centre sponsorship{{cite web| url=https://www.nba.com/raptors/press-release/raptors-ovo-elevate-partnership-with-ovo-athletic-centre|website=nba.com|title=Raptors and OVO Elevate Partnership with OVO Athletic Centre Naming Rights Deal|date=14 March 2019|access-date=24 December 2024}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Compilation albums=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
rowspan="2"| Artist
! rowspan="2"| Album ! rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Certification |
---|
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | CAN
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US |
scope="row"| Drake
! scope="row"| Care Package |
| 1 || 1 | |
=Soundtrack albums=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
rowspan="1"| Artist
! rowspan="1"| Album ! rowspan="1"| Details |
---|
scope="row"| Various Artists
! scope="row"| Top Boy (A Selection of Music Inspired by the Series) |
|
=Mixtapes=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
rowspan="2"| Artist
! rowspan="2"| Album ! rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Certification |
---|
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | CAN
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US |
scope="row"| Drake
! scope="row"| If You're Reading This It's Too Late |
| 1 || 1 | RIAA: 4× Platinum |
scope="row"| Popcaan
! scope="row"| Vanquish |
| — || — | |
scope="row"| Drake
! scope="row"| Dark Lane Demo Tapes |
| 1 || 2 | |
=EPs=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
rowspan="1"| Artist
! rowspan="1"| Album ! rowspan="1"| Details |
---|
scope="row"| PartyNextDoor
! scope="row"| PartyNextDoor |
|
scope="row"| Majid Jordan
! scope="row"| A Place Like This |
|
scope="row"| PartyNextDoor
! scope="row"| Colours |
|
scope="row"| iLoveMakonnen
! scope="row"| iLoveMakonnen |
|
scope="row"| Roy Woods
! scope="row"| Exis |
|
scope="row"| iLoveMakonnen
! scope="row"| iLoveMakonnen 2 |
|
scope="row"| Roy Woods
! scope="row"| Nocturnal |
|
scope="row"| PartyNextDoor
! scope="row"| Colours 2 |
|
scope="row"| Plaza
! scope="row"| SHADOWS |
|
scope="row"| PartyNextDoor
! scope="row"| Seven Days |
|
scope="row"| Baka Not Nice
! scope="row"| 4Milli |
|
scope="row"| Drake
! scope="row"| The Best in the World Pack |
|
scope="row"| Roy Woods
! scope="row"| Dem Times |
|
scope="row"| PartyNextDoor
! scope="row"| Partypack |
|
scope="row"| Drake
! scope="row"| Scary Hours 2 |
|
scope="row"| Naomi Sharon
! scope="row"| Another Life |
|
=Notes=
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|Canada}}
- {{Official website|ovosound.com}}
- {{Discogs label|OVO Sound}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Current artists
| list1 =
{{Drake}}
{{Majid Jordan}}
{{PartyNextDoor}}
{{Roy Woods}}
{{Dvsn}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Companies based in Toronto
Category:Record labels established in 2012
Category:Canadian hip-hop record labels