OVO Sound (short for October's Very Own) is a Canadian independent record label, founded in 2009 by rapper Drake, producer 40, and manager Oliver El-Khatib.[2] The label operated as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group until 2022, after which it became an independent label.
The label has signed acts including PartyNextDoor, Alexander Slang, ILoveMakonnen, Majid Jordan, Roy Woods, Dvsn, Baka Not Nice, Popcaan, Smiley, Naomi Sharon, and Pimmie. In-house producers include 40 himself, Boi-1da, Nineteen85, Alexander Slang, Mike Zombie, and T-Minus.
History
The label's roots can be traced back to 2006, when Drake's first official mixtape, Room for Improvement, was released under the unofficial record label "All Things Fresh" which eventually became "October's Very Own". Drake later raised the profile of the label by prominently featuring OVO throughout his music, regularly mentioning the label in songs and on stage, as well as promoting OVO merchandise.[3]