The Weeknd

The Weeknd
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Name	The Weeknd
Caption	The Weeknd performing in 2021
Birth name	Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
Birth date	16 February 1990
Birth place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
Years active	2009–present
Associated acts	Drake, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk, Ariana Grande
Website	theweeknd.com

The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer renowned for his distinctive vocal style and atmospheric, genre-blending music. Emerging from the Toronto underground scene in the early 2010s, he gained initial recognition for a series of critically acclaimed mixtapes released anonymously. His work, characterized by themes of hedonism, melancholy, and redemption, has propelled him to become one of the world's best-selling music artists, with numerous chart-topping albums and singles, including the record-breaking "Blinding Lights."

Early life and career beginnings

Born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye in Scarborough, Toronto, to Ethiopian immigrant parents, he was largely raised by his mother and grandmother. He dropped out of West Hill Collegiate Institute and began making music, adopting his stage name around 2009. In late 2010, he anonymously uploaded several songs to YouTube, catching the attention of producer Jeremy Rose. This collaboration led to the creation of the dark, atmospheric mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, collectively known as the Balloons Trilogy, which were released for free in 2011 through his website. The mysterious releases generated significant online buzz and praise from music blogs, leading to a pivotal cosign and collaboration with fellow Toronto artist Drake.

Musical style and artistry

His music is noted for its cinematic quality and fusion of diverse genres, including alternative R&B, pop, electronic, and new wave. His early work, often produced with collaborators like Doc McKinney and Illangelo, is characterized by lo-fi, sample-heavy production, moody atmospherics, and explicit lyrical content exploring substance abuse and toxic relationships. Over time, his sound evolved toward more polished, synth-driven pop and disco influences, particularly evident on albums like Starboy and After Hours. He is widely recognized for his use of falsetto and a tremulous, emotive tenor vocal style, often compared to artists like Michael Jackson and Prince.

Discography and commercial success

His major-label debut, Kiss Land, was released in 2013 to moderate success. His commercial breakthrough came with the 2015 album Beauty Behind the Madness, which spawned the global number-one singles "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills" and won a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. The follow-up, Starboy (2016), featuring the Daft Punk-assisted title track, debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200. His 2020 album After Hours and its record-breaking single "Blinding Lights" achieved massive global success, with the song becoming the first to spend a full year in the top ten of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. His 2022 album Dawn FM continued his chart dominance, and he has performed at major events like the Super Bowl halftime show.

Public image and personal life

Initially cultivating an enigmatic persona, he avoided interviews and used mysterious imagery in his early work. His public image has evolved alongside his music, embracing more glamorous and theatrical aesthetics, often featuring red-suited characters and bandaged faces as seen in the After Hours era. He has had high-profile relationships with models including Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, having donated millions to various causes, including Black Lives Matter, University of Toronto scholarships, and global hunger relief through the United Nations' World Food Programme.

Legacy and influence

Widely credited with shaping the sound of 2010s alternative R&B and bringing moody, atmospheric pop to the mainstream, his impact on contemporary music is substantial. His record-breaking chart achievements, including holding the record for the most monthly listeners on Spotify, underscore his global commercial dominance. Artists across genres, from Post Malone to Swedish House Mafia, have cited his work as an influence. Beyond music, his innovative visual storytelling and immersive album rollouts have set new standards for the industry. His contributions were formally recognized with awards such as the Academy Award nomination for "Earned It" from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack and multiple American Music Awards.

Category:Canadian singers Category:21st-century Canadian musicians