Once upon a time, music icon, Drake was simply known as Jimmy Brooks aka Wheelchair Jimmy, a fictional high school baller navigating life in yes, a wheelchair on the iconic teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Now, one of Spotify’s most stream artist of all time is revisiting the role that first introduced him to millions in a brand-new documentary premiering at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Titled Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, the feature-length project is directed by Lisa Rideout and will spotlight the groundbreaking legacy of the long-running Canadian series.
Drizzy, returns alongside his former fellow castmates and the original creators to reflect on the cultural impact of the franchise that helped launch his entertainment career.
Super dope that he’s participating in this documentary even though he became pretty much larger than life. Guess you have to know where you came from, in part, as you keep pushing forward towards new horizons.
“Superstar rapper Drake looks back on his Degrassi era alongside the franchise’s creators, stars, and superfans in this engaging history of the Canadian show that changed teen TV,” the official tagline reveals.
Taking you back to the height of young adult Canadian television, Drake’s run on Degrassi lasted from 2001 to 2009, where he played Jimmy Brooks, a standout basketball player whose life changes dramatically after being shot by a classmate and left paralyzed. His story arc became one of the show’s most memorable and emotionally resonant, and also marked the beginning of his transition into music, as his character began rapping and producing songs while adjusting to life off the court.
Originally launched in 1979, Degrassi evolved into a defining teen drama across decades and borders. By the early 2000s, Degrassi: The Next Generation had built a major following across North America, airing on CTV in Canada and The N in the U.S. The show not only gave rise to Drake and actress Nina Dobrev, but also became known for tackling real issues including teen pregnancy, mental health, substance abuse, and identity, often sparking conversation and, at times, controversy.
The show earned critical praise, racked up awards including two International Emmys and a Peabody, and in December 2023, was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. Despite multiple rebrands and reboots—including the short-lived Degrassi: Next Class, the franchise remains one of Canada’s most celebrated contributions to pop culture.
Drake’s own journey from a fictional teen navigating trauma and music to one of the most influential artists of his generation feels like a full-circle moment in Whatever It Takes. His character’s interest in rapping became a real-life pivot that led to the breakthrough of his 2009 mixtape So Far Gone, setting off a historic music career that continues to shape the sound of today.
And Drake is far from done. Iceman loading.