CTV.ca: ‘Degrassi’ changed Aubrey Graham (2008)

Source: CTV.ca / eTalk
Author: CTV.ca Staff
Published: February 5, 2008
Document Type: News Article & Broadcast Segment
Source Link: View original article (The Wayback Machine)

The “Degrassi” star says that his life has vastly improved thanks to the series.

“My life has definitely changed,” says Graham, during an interview with eTalk.

Graham plays Jimmy Brooks, a former athlete now bound to a wheelchair due to an injury sustained in a school shooting. He has been part of the “Degrassi” cast since 2001.

The 21-year-old is set to appear in a new film in 2008; “Charlie Bartlett,” alongside Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey, Jr.

Aside from acting, Graham has been pursuing a music career, cultivating a talent fans of “Degrassi” should already be familiar with.

Graham has put out two of his own “mixed tapes” under the moniker of “Drake,” his middle name. He also has a single called “Replacement Girl,” which features singer Trey Songz.

Graham attributes his musical success to his popularity on “Degrassi.”

“It’s opened a lot of doors for me and my music. More people are willing to listen and grasp on to what I’m doing. It’s a wonderful thing,” says Graham.

“Degrassi: The Next Generation” is currently in its seventh season, and can be seen Mondays at 7:30 p.m. ET on CTV.

Archival Note: In February 2008, eTalk and CTV.ca featured Aubrey Graham (Drake) in honor of Black History Month. The segment and accompanying article discuss his long-running role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation alongside co-star Shane Kippel, his upcoming feature film Charlie Bartlett, and how the teen drama opened the floodgates for his early music career.