 Released in February 2009 , Drake 's mixtape So Far Gone proceeded his series of early mixtapes and achieved unexpected critical and commercial success , earning him two Grammy Award @-@ nominations and producing the hit single " Best I Ever Had " . The single reappeared on his debut EP , which was released after a bidding competition among labels and his signing with Universal Motown Records amid support from high @-@ profile hip hop artists such as Kanye West , Jay @-@ Z , and Lil Wayne . Drake followed @-@ up on So Far Gone 's success with several guest appearances on other rappers ' works , adding to the hype surrounding him at the time . 
