Rapper Drake drops bombshell, reveals father has cancer

Canadian rapper Drake has dropped a deeply personal revelation in his new song Make Them Cry, revealing that his father, Dennis Graham, 71, is battling cancer.

The 39-year-old artist released three albums on Thursday—Iceman, Maid of Honour and Habibti—with Make Them Cry featured on Iceman. In the opening track, Drake raps: “My dad got cancer right now, we battlin’ stages. Trust me when I say there’s plenty things I’d rather be facing (For real)”, giving fans a rare glimpse into his family life.

The song also references his parents, with Drake reflecting: “I know for sure that my parents, they look at me and see an overcomer. I’m looking back at them and these days, I see an older couple.”

Drake continues in the track, addressing his personal and professional struggles: “I’m ’bout to turn forty, dog, I’m battlin’ aging… I’ll battle the label… I’ll battle the majors… Shout out to the real fans that knew what I had in the basement.”

Dennis Graham, a professional drummer who once performed with Jerry Lee Lewis, has long been a musical influence on his son. In a 2019 interview with Variety, Graham recalled the summer road trips to Memphis they took together, switching off listening to each other’s music. Graham has praised Drake’s focus and entrepreneurial approach to the music industry, saying: “He was extremely smart about what he was doing and knew every step that he was taking.”

The father-son bond extends beyond music. In 2017, Graham got a tattoo of a young Drake’s face on his shoulder, which Drake later playfully referenced on Instagram in 2022, highlighting the family’s sense of humour and closeness.

Drake’s last album prior to this release was For All the Dogs in 2023. With the new LPs, he continues to blend personal storytelling with musical innovation, sharing family milestones and struggles with his global audience.