Andrew Michael Parks (born December 3, 1991) is a former American rapper, record producer, and songwriter from Metro Detroit, Michigan.Maria A. Pardalis, "Interview with DREW32", Neo Magazine, April 4, 2010Amy Allen, "Who is Drew32?" , The Oakland Press, January 17, 2010 Parks first gained national recognition for his music career in the early 2010s, when his music was featured on networks and music publications such as MTV,D.L. Chandler, "Detroit Rapper and Producer Drew32 Is Up Next", MTV, August 4, 2011Rahman Dukes, "Mixtape Daily: Drew32 and DJ Skee Drop 'Label Me'", MTV, May 29, 2012 ESPN, Freeform, BBC 1Xtra,"Greece – 1Xtra World Cup Freestyles", BBC 1Xtra, June 14, 2014 XXL Mag,"The Break Presents: Drew32", XXL Magazine, March 2013 Shade 45, Billboard Magazine,"Billboard.com and Chevrolet Host 'Cruze-ing to Vegas'", GM.com, November 3, 2019 and Vibe Magazine."Drew32 Talks Detroit Hip-Hop: 'The Diversity Is Actually A Gift'", Vibe Magazine, November 3, 2019Leah Brungardt, "An Interview With Detroit Rap Phenomenon DREW PARKS!", All Access Music, November 3, 2019

Early life and education Parks was born on December 3, 1991, in Royal Oak, Michigan and grew up living in Troy, Michigan. He attended Avondale School District and graduated from Avondale High School in Auburn Hills, Michigan.Amy Allen, "Who is Drew32?" , The Oakland Press, January 17, 2010 After high school, Parks attended Oakland University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing.Nichole Seguin, "Rapper Drew32 focuses on rising carer, education at OU", The Oakland Press, April 6, 2016 In 2019, he enrolled at University of Michigan Law School and is currently studying to get a Juris Doctor degree."Drew Parks – About", Drew Parks Website, November 3, 2019

Parks' parents are both of Greek descent, and he is a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Troy, Michigan.

Music career Parks began his musical career at age 10, under the moniker Drew32.Elena Keras, "Drew32 to Headline Detroit River Days Festival" , Malista.com, June 2007 He later released music under the name Drew Parks. He writes, produces, and records nearly all of his songs himself. His music began to gain recognition in 2011, when he performed in the Fender Lodge at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah,Sowmya Krishnamurthy, "Drew32 and DJ Skee drop 'Label Me'" , MTV Rapfix, June 11, 2016Brandon Wernerd, , Bro Bible, March 29, 2011Garrett Richie, "Conflict of interest: Drew32, rapper and best friend, comes to Mizzou" , The Maneater, September 13, 2011 and in Austin, Texas at the 2011 SXSW Music Conference.

In October 2011, Parks performed as the opening act on J. Cole's Cole World Tour at the Royal Oak Music Theatre,Gary Graff, "Sound Check: Rapper J.Cole receives rewards for patience; Adrian Belew keeping busys with Power Trio", The Oakland Press, October 5, 2011 and in March 2012, Parks was one of 18 US artists selected by Billboard magazine to compete in the 2012 Billboard Music Awards Battle of the Bands competition.

In April 2012, Parks performed as the opening act at Grizzlypalooza, the spring concert event at Oakland University, which also featured performances by Gym Class Heroes, Kirko Bangz, and New Boyz.Chris Lauritsen, "GrizzlyPalooza to feature Gym Class Heroes, Drew32", The Oakland Post, February 10, 2012 He released a mixtape in April 2012 entitled Label Me (hosted by DJ Skee), which featured collaborations with Jon Connor, Royce Da 5'9", Shorty da Prince, and Slim the Mobster. The lead single from Label Me, "I Am King," received airplay on Sirius XM station Shade 45, and its music video aired on MTVU."Introducing Greek-American Up and Coming Rapper Drew32", Hollywood Greek Reporter, January 8, 2013 Television network ESPN included several of Parks' songs on its sports debate TV show, First Take throughout 2012 and 2013."New Cassettes, Solo to be on 'First Take'", ESPN, February 3, 2013"Music featured on 'First Take'", ESPN, June 17, 2014

In August 2013, Parks performed as an opening act for Kendrick Lamar at The Fillmore Detroit as a part of Bud Light's 50|50|1 concert series."Kendrick Lamar / Ro Spit / Drew32", Concert Archives, November 3, 2019

In June 2014, BBC Radio 1Xtra selected 32 hip-hop artists worldwide to represent each of their relative countries by performing a freestyle video for 1Xtra's coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Parks was chosen to represent Greece, and his World Cup Freestyle was featured on BBC Radio 1Xtra throughout June and July 2014.Joanna Varikos, "Detroit Rapper Picked to Represent Greece in World Cup Freestyle Contest", Greek Reporter, July 1, 2014Nagsheen Nassif, "Detroit Rapper Drew32 Freestyles for Greece, World Cup on UK Radio", CBS62 Detroit, June 23, 2014 Later that year, Parks performed alongside DJ Head at the official Eminem and Rihanna Monster Tour After Party at The Fillmore Detroit."Official Eminem and Rihanna Pre & Post Party" , iHeartMedia Detroit, August 22, 2014

In August 2016, he performed alongside Fat Joe and Nelly at WSNX-FM's "Party in the Park" concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan"104.5 SNX – Party in the Park with Nelly, Fat Joe & more!", Bandsintown, August 25, 2016

Television network Freeform (formerly ABC Family) included Parks' song, "We Ain't Stoppin" in episodes of its shows Pretty Little Liars, Famous in Love, and The Fosters"Pretty Little Liars Instagram Post May 09, 2017", Pretty Little Liars – Instagram, May 9, 2017"The Fosters Official Season 5B Music Guide", Freeform, November 3, 2019

In 2017, Detroit Pistons Center Andre Drummond collaborated with Drew Parks on two songs, "Lit," and "Nu Vibe," which were later released on Andre Drummond's 2018 debut music album entitled Fyi.Rod Beard, "Review: Andre Drummond's rap album 'FYI' is worth some attention", The Detroit News, August 13, 2018Riley Wallace, "Review: NBA All-Star Andre Drummond’s 'Fyi' EP Isn't A Playoff Contender", HipHopDx, August 15, 2018

Parks is no longer actively making music. His last official release was his 2016 album, Away We Go, which featured the single "We Love Them," a collaboration with Fatman Scoop.Jason Cott, "Drew Parks Sharpens His Sword With His New Album", Pop Dust, April 27, 2016

Selected discography

Albums 2006: Awakening 2016: Away We Go EP

Mixtapes 2007: Awakening Vol. 2 Mixtape 2009: Quarter Till Infinity Mixtape (Hosted by DJ Mo Beatz) 2009: Twittermania Mixtape (Hosted by DJ Mo Beatz) 2009: Who is Drew32? Vol. 1 Mixtape 2010: Take the World: Who is Drew32? Vol. 2 Mixtape (Hosted by DJ Pauly D) 2010: Sunrise on Your Dreams Mixtape 2011: The B.U.R.N. Project 2011: Labeled SXSW Sampler (prelude to "Label Me") 2012: Label Me (Hosted by DJ Skee) 2013: The Batch

References

External links Official Website