One year ago, Aubrey Drake Graham was best known for playing Jimmy Brooks on “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” Fast forward to 2009 and the Canadian actor-turned-rapper has a No. 1 record (“Best I Ever Had”) and Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Eminem on his résumé. He’s also readying the most-anticipated debut from a rapper since 50 Cent with next year’s Thank Me Later. The Young Money rookie has been holed up in Toronto over the past couple months recovering from knee surgery, but checked in with Rap-Up.com for an update on his eagerly-awaited album.

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What would a collaboration between three of hip-hop’s biggest breakout stars sound like? Wale tells Rap-Up TV how he desperately tried to get the perfect track for him, Drake, and Kid Cudi from Jay-Z after Jay eventually passed on it for The Blueprint 3.

“I told Cudi, if you tell Kanye to let me get that joint, we could make the biggest record ever—me, you, and Drake,” the D.C. rapper says of the Kanye West production, tentatively titled “Let the Money Fall.” “That would’ve been the record for us three to be on. I was like, this is gonna be bigger than any record ever.”

Related: Wale Speaks on Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye, & Lady Gaga

Rihanna’s fans are not the only ones rooting for her. One of her most famous supporters, hip-hop star Drake, has heard his peer’s new music and is sharing his excitement over her fresh start exclusively with Rap-Up.com.

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Jay-Z played hype man to Drake, introducing him to his hometown crowd in Toronto during Jay’s show at the Air Canada Centre on Halloween. “I’m kinda like nervous/excited,” Drizzy, who performed “Successful,” told Rap-Up.com about his first time back on stage since undergoing surgery.

Toronto fans are in for a Halloween treat when Jay-Z brings out Drake for his first performance since undergoing surgery.

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Not even jail time can faze Lil Wayne. The rap superstar is keeping his head up in the wake of his expected year behind bars over attempted gun possession. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced in February. Wayne’s Young Money affiliate Drake speaks exclusively with Rap-Up.com about how his friend is coping with the news and how he’ll be holding down the fort when his boss takes leave.

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Usher is sick and tired of being sick and tired. The R&B superstar, along with Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and Drake, shares his feelings on “Fed Up,” the first single from DJ Khaled’s fourth studio album Victory, due in early 2010.

The Miami DJ tried to contain his enthusiasm over The Runners production in a statement: “This is excitement!!!! This is a movvvvvvie!! God is so good!! This is a hit record! Victory coming soon! I work so hard to make this happen for us the people. We the Best!!!!!”

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Drake is damn proud of his condo. Drizzy boasts about his crib again on “Say Something,” a new joint from Timbaland’s Shock Value 2 recording sessions. Listen to a clip below and if you’re thirsty for more, here’s another Drake-Timb collabo (“King Leon”) and one from Drake featuring the omnipresent Gucci Mane (“Believe It or Not”).

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