Smiley | |
---|---|
Birth name | Alexander Eli Morand [1] |
Also known as | Smiley_61st |
Born | 1997 (age 26–27) [2] Montreal, Quebec, Canada [2] |
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2014–present [3] |
Labels |
Alexander Eli Morand (born 1997), known professionally as Smiley (formerly Smiley_61st), is a Canadian rapper. He signed with hometown native Drake's record label OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records in 2021. In July of that year, he released the single "Over the Top" (featuring Drake), which peaked at number 13 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Smiley began rapping in 2014 with rap crew Garden Gang after seeing his friends freestyling. In 2015, he released his track "9 on Me" which captured the attention of record producer Boi-1da. His track "Garden Girl" also helped him gain traction. [3] He first interacted with Drake in 2017. [2] In 2018 he released his debut project Buy or Bye. [4] Also in 2018, Drake cited Smiley's lyrics during his first public statement following the release of diss track The Story of Adidon by American rapper Pusha T. [4] In July 2021, he released Over the Top, collaboration with Drake produced by American record producer Tay Keith. [5] In November 2021, he released his album Buy or Bye 2, the sequel to his 2018 project with appearances from Yung Bleu, Duvy, Drake, Pressa and OhGeesy. [6]
Jordan Darville, writing for The Fader, describes Smiley's style in the following manner: "Stark street bars rapped with a cadence that's light but fills the room with its presence, like a cloud of good weed." [4]
In 2015, Smiley was in jail for a gun-related charge. [3]
Aubrey Drake Graham, known mononymously as Drake, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and actor. An influential figure in popular music, he has been credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip hop artists. Gaining recognition by starring as Jimmy Brooks in the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2008), Drake began his recording career in 2006 with the release of his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement (2006). He followed up with the mixtapes Comeback Season (2007) and So Far Gone (2009) before signing with Young Money Entertainment.
Andrae Hugh Sutherland, known professionally as Popcaan, is a Jamaican deejay.
OVO Sound is a Canadian independent record label, founded in 2012 by rapper Drake, producer 40, and manager Oliver El-Khatib. The label operated as an imprint of Warner Records from its formation until 2022.
Jahron Anthony Brathwaite, known professionally as PARTYNEXTDOOR, is a Canadian R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the first artist to sign with Drake's record label OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records in 2013. PartyNextDoor released his debut self-titled extended play in July that year to positive critical reception.
Makonnen Kamali Sheran, better known by his stage name iLoveMakonnen, is an American former rapper and singer. He is best known for his 2014 single "Tuesday", which initially gained recognition following its remix with Canadian rapper Drake. After its release in August of that year, he signed with Drake's record label OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records that same month; the song was re-released by the label shortly after and subsequently peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Tuesday" also received a nomination Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and served as the lead single for his likewise re-issued self-titled debut extended play (2014), which moderately entered the Billboard 200. He parted ways with OVO in 2016, and his following releases have failed to chart.
Denzel Spencer, better known by his stage name Roy Woods, is a Canadian singer, rapper, and songwriter. He signed with Drake's record label OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records in 2014. His first two albums, Waking at Dawn (2016) and Say Less (2017), both moderately entered the Canadian Albums Chart and US Billboard 200. Woods has also founded his own collective, Unlock the Underground.
"Back to Back" is a diss track by Canadian rapper Drake directed at American rapper Meek Mill during their 2015 feud. Released on July 29, 2015, it was the second diss track released by Drake in the feud, following "Charged Up". The song was described as a "bouncier freestyle" than the latter track.
"Charged Up" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake. It is the first of two diss tracks aimed at American rapper Meek Mill by Drake. At OVO Fest 2015, Drake performed this song and "Back to Back" live.
Dvsn is a Canadian R&B duo composed of singer Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85. After releasing three songs in 2015, the duo signed with Canadian rapper Drake through his label OVO Sound. They released their debut studio album Sept. 5th to positive reviews that same year. Their second album, Morning After (2017), continued their critical success. They released their third album A Muse in Her Feelings (2020) and followed that up with the collaborative album Cheers to the Best Memories (2021) with Ty Dolla Sign. The duo's fourth studio album, Working on My Karma, was released on October 22, 2022.
"Nonstop" is a song by Canadian musician Drake from his fifth studio album, Scorpion (2018). It was released as the sixth single from the album on July 31, 2018. The song was produced by Tay Keith, with co-production handled by No I.D. and additional production by Noel Cadastre.
Khalil Tatem, better known by his stage name Killy, is a Canadian rapper from Toronto. He is best known for his break-out single "Killamonjaro" which is certified Platinum by Music Canada, and his debut album "Surrender Your Soul" which is certified Gold by Music Canada.
The Best in the World Pack is the third extended play by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on June 15, 2019, by Frozen Moments, Republic Records and OVO Sound. It contains the dual singles "Omertà" and "Money in the Grave", with the latter featuring a guest appearance from American rapper Rick Ross, and later becoming Drake's 26th and Ross' 2nd number one respectively, on Billboard's Rhythmic Songs chart in August 2019. Multiple publications noted that the EP marks Drake's first release outside of the Cash Money Records and Young Money Records record labels. Instead, on streaming services, the release lists "2019 Frozen Moments, LLC, under exclusive licensing to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc". Billboard confirmed that Frozen Moments has previously been listed on additional OVO projects.
Care Package is the first compilation album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on August 2, 2019, by OVO Sound. The compilation consists of songs released between 2010 and 2016 that were initially unavailable for purchase or commercial streaming. The compilation features guest appearances from J. Cole, Rick Ross, and James Fauntleroy and additional vocals by Sampha and Beyoncé.
Quinton Armani Gardner, professionally known as Pressa, is a rapper and singer from Toronto.
"Loyal" is a song by Canadian singer PartyNextDoor featuring fellow Canadian rapper and singer Drake. It was released as the lead single from the former's third studio album Partymobile (2020) on November 21, 2019, by OVO Sound and Warner Records, alongside the release of "The News". The song was produced by OG Parker, DreGotJuice and 40. It reached the top 20 in Canada, the top 40 in the UK and number 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100. A remix featuring Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny was later released in February 2020.
Mustafa Ahmed, known as Mustafa, formerly known as Mustafa the Poet, is a Sudanese-Canadian poet, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker from Toronto. He released his debut studio album, When Smoke Rises, in May 2021.
"Only You Freestyle" is a song by written and performed by British rapper Headie One and Canadian rapper Drake, released on 20 July 2020 by Relentless Records and OVO Sound. It served as the lead single to the former's debut studio album, Edna (2020).
"Wants and Needs" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring vocals from American rapper Lil Baby. It was released as the second out of three tracks from Drake's fourth extended play, Scary Hours 2, through Republic Records and OVO Sound, on March 5, 2021. It includes a feature produced and written by Lil Baby. Drake wrote the song alongside producers Cardo, Dez Wright, and 40. The song debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. making it Lil Baby's highest-charting single on the chart, eventually becoming tied with "Girls Want Girls", another collaboration with Drake, and "Do We Have a Problem?", with Nicki Minaj.
"What's Next" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on March 5, 2021, as a single from Drake's fourth EP Scary Hours 2, through Republic Records and OVO Sound.
"Over the Top" is a song by Canadian rapper Smiley, featuring fellow Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on July 23, 2021, by OVO Sound and Warner Records and later appeared on Smiley's album Buy Or Bye 2. The duo had previously collaborated on Smiley's 2019 track "Organization" with Canadian rapper Booggz.