The Weeknd

The Weeknd
Brian Ziff · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	The Weeknd
Birth name	Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
Birth date	February 16, 1990
Birth place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, record producer
Genre	R&B, pop music, hip hop music
Instrument	Vocals, piano, guitar, drums

The Weeknd is a renowned Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer, known for his soulful and atmospheric sound, which has drawn comparisons to Michael Jackson, Prince (musician), and David Bowie. Born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye in Toronto, Ontario, he rose to fame with his debut mixtape House of Balloons in 2011, which was praised by Drake, Kanye West, and Beyoncé. The Weeknd's music often explores themes of love, relationships, and darkness, and has been influenced by a range of artists, including Aaliyah, R. Kelly, and The-Dream. He has collaborated with numerous high-profile artists, such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran.

Early Life and Career

The Weeknd was born to Ethiopian immigrant parents in Toronto, where he was raised in a low-income neighborhood. He attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and later dropped out of University of Toronto to pursue a career in music. The Weeknd's early influences included soul and R&B artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green (soul singer), as well as hip-hop artists like Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z. He began his music career by uploading anonymous YouTube videos, which caught the attention of XO Records founder Amir "Cash" Esmailian and Republic Records executive Wendy Goldstein. The Weeknd's debut mixtape, House of Balloons, was released in 2011 and received critical acclaim from Pitchfork Media, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times.

Music Style and Influences

The Weeknd's music style is a unique blend of R&B, pop music, and hip hop music, with influences from soul, Funk, and Electronic music. His soulful and atmospheric sound has drawn comparisons to Michael Jackson, Prince (musician), and David Bowie, and has been praised by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran. The Weeknd's music often explores themes of love, relationships, and darkness, and has been influenced by a range of artists, including Aaliyah, R. Kelly, and The-Dream. He has also cited Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Frank Ocean as influences, and has collaborated with numerous high-profile artists, such as Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez, and Travis Scott. The Weeknd's music has been featured in various Films and Television shows, including Fifty Shades of Grey (film), The Hunger Games (film series), and Entourage (TV series).

Discography

The Weeknd has released several successful albums, including Kiss Land (2013), Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), and Starboy (2016). His debut studio album, Kiss Land, was released in 2013 and featured the hit single "Kiss Land (song)". The album received positive reviews from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Pitchfork Media, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Weeknd's second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, was released in 2015 and featured the hit singles "The Hills (song)", "Earned It", and "Can't Feel My Face". The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and earning The Weeknd several Grammy Award nominations. The Weeknd's third studio album, Starboy, was released in 2016 and featured the hit singles "Starboy (song)", "Party Monster", and "I Feel It Coming". The album was also a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and earning The Weeknd several Grammy Award nominations.

Awards and Nominations

The Weeknd has won numerous awards and nominations for his music, including Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. He has been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist. The Weeknd has also won several American Music Awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for Beauty Behind the Madness. He has been nominated for several Billboard Music Awards, including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, and Top R&B Artist. The Weeknd has also won several MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year and Best Male Video for "The Hills (song)". He has been recognized by Time (magazine), Forbes, and Vogue (magazine) as one of the most influential people in the world.

Tours and Live Performances

The Weeknd has embarked on several successful tours, including The Fall Tour (2012), Kiss Land Tour (2013), and The Madness Fall Tour (2015). He has performed at numerous music festivals, including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, and Glastonbury Festival. The Weeknd has also performed at several high-profile events, including the Super Bowl LI halftime show and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. He has collaborated with numerous artists on tour, including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran. The Weeknd's live performances have been praised by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Pitchfork Media, and have been recognized as some of the best in the music industry.

Personal Life

The Weeknd is known for his private and introversive personality, and keeps his personal life out of the spotlight. He has been in several high-profile relationships, including with Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez. The Weeknd is a philanthropist and has supported several charitable organizations, including the University of Toronto and the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation. He has also been involved in several Business ventures, including a Fashion line with H&M and a Fragrance line with Paco Rabanne. The Weeknd has been recognized by Time (magazine), Forbes, and Vogue (magazine) as one of the most influential people in the world, and has been named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30. Category:Canadian musicians