Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known as The Weeknd, is a highly acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, and actor. He has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Juno Awards, American Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. He also received nominations for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, showcasing his versatility and widespread recognition in the entertainment industry.
On February 16, 1990, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, who is professionally known as The Weeknd, was born. He is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor.
In August 2009, The Weeknd began anonymously releasing music on YouTube, marking the start of his public music career.
In 2009, Tesfaye started releasing music anonymously, marking the beginning of his music career.
In December 2010, The Weeknd uploaded "What You Need", "Loft Music", and "The Morning" to YouTube under the username "xoxxxoooxo", gaining online attention.
In May 2011, The Weeknd began working with Drake, leading to a performance at OVO Fest.
In July 2011, The Weeknd held his first live performance at the Mod Club Theatre in Toronto and participated in concerts hosted by the Black Student Association at the University of Toronto.
In 2011, Tesfaye co-founded the record label XO and released three mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. This work gained recognition for his blend of contemporary and alternative R&B and the mystery surrounding his identity.
In 2011, The Weeknd began growing out his hair, which would become one of his most recognizable traits, partly inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
In 2011, The Weeknd co-founded the XO record label and released his debut mixtape, House of Balloons, marking a significant step in his career.
In 2011, the Trilogy album contained remixes and remastered versions of his mixtapes from 2011.
In April 2012, The Weeknd performed at the Coachella Festival and two sold-out shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.
On November 13, 2012, The Weeknd released Trilogy, a compilation album comprising re-mixed and remastered versions of his 2011 mixtapes, and three additional tracks.
In November 2012, The Weeknd was on tour in North America as part of the Fall Tour.
In 2012, Echoes of Silence was a longlisted nominee for the Polaris Music Prize.
In 2012, The Weeknd signed with Republic Records to reissue his mixtapes into the compilation album Trilogy.
On May 17, 2013, The Weeknd released the title track to his debut studio album, Kiss Land, marking a promotional milestone for the album.
Between November 6 and 13, 2013, The Weeknd served as an opening act for Justin Timberlake during The 20/20 Experience World Tour.
In 2013, Tesfaye earned a nomination for the Sound of 2013 poll award by BBC for the album Trilogy.
In 2013, The Weeknd collaborated with condom company ONE to give away limited-edition condoms at his shows during the Kiss Land Fall Tour.
In 2013, The Weeknd released his debut studio album, Kiss Land, continuing his music career.
In February 2014, The Weeknd released a remix of "Drunk in Love" and Ty Dolla Sign's "Or Nah".
In June 2014, The Weeknd announced the King of the Fall Tour, a 4-city tour of North America, supported by Schoolboy Q and Jhené Aiko.
In October 2014, The Weeknd was awarded the Allan Slaight Honour by Canada's Walk of Fame for "making a positive impact in the fields of music, film, literature, visual or performing arts, sports, innovation or philanthropy".
In 2014, The Weeknd engaged in a string of collaborations and made contributions to film soundtracks, expanding his presence in the music industry.
In 2014, after receiving the Bikila Award for Professional Excellence, The Weeknd donated CA$50,000 to the University of Toronto to fund a new course on Ge'ez, the classic language of Ethiopia, supporting academic studies.
In January 2015, The Weeknd was arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in Las Vegas after being taken into an elevator to break up a fight. He later pleaded no contest and was sentenced to community service.
In April 2015, The Weeknd began an on-again, off-again relationship with American model Bella Hadid, which lasted until August 2019.
On May 27, 2015, The Weeknd released "The Hills" as the second single from Beauty Behind the Madness.
In June 2015, The Weeknd performed "Earned It" with Alicia Keys at the BET Awards and released "Can't Feel My Face" as a single, marking a significant month for his career.
On August 28, 2015, The Weeknd released his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which debuted atop the Billboard 200.
On September 4, 2015, The Weeknd was featured on Travis Scott's debut album Rodeo, on the track "Pray 4 Love".
In November 2015, The Weeknd partnered with electronic vaporizer company Pax Labs to release a limited edition vaporizer, expanding his brand collaborations.
In December 2015, Bella Hadid starred in the music video for The Weeknd's single "In the Night".
In 2015, The Weeknd earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Earned It" from the soundtrack for Fifty Shades of Grey (2015).
In 2015, The Weeknd released his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which debuted atop the US Billboard 200.
On February 14, 2016, The Weeknd was featured on Kanye West's seventh studio album The Life of Pablo on the track "FML", continuing his collaborations with prominent artists.
In May 2016, during Orthodox Easter, The Weeknd donated CA$50,000 to the St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral in Toronto, Canada, the church he attended growing up, supporting his religious community.
In August 2016, The Weeknd donated US$250,000 to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation following reports of police brutality in the United States, showing support for social justice.
In August 2016, The Weeknd funded a new Ethiopian studies program at the University of Toronto, promoting education and cultural preservation.
In September 2016, The Weeknd, also known as Tesfaye, announced his third studio album, Starboy. The album, scheduled to be released on November 25, would feature collaborations with Daft Punk.
In 2016, The Weeknd became a creative collaborator and global brand ambassador for clothing brand Puma, releasing capsule collections and hosting pop-up retail stores.
In 2016, The Weeknd cut his hair prior to the release of "Starboy", marking a change in his physical appearance.
In 2016, The Weeknd released his third studio album, Starboy, which debuted atop the US Billboard 200.
On February 15, 2017, The Weeknd was featured on Nav's commercial debut single "Some Way", which also served as the lead single from his self-titled mixtape.
On February 17, 2017, The Weeknd began his fifth concert tour, called Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour, in support of his album Starboy. The tour included visits to Europe, North and South America, and Oceania, and concluded on December 14, 2017.
In June 2017, The Weeknd donated US$100,000 to the Suubi Health Center, a maternity and children's medical facility in Budondo, Uganda, inspired by French Montana's work with Global Citizen and Mama Hope.
In October 2017, The Weeknd ended his relationship with American singer-actress Selena Gomez, which began in January of the same year.
On December 14, 2017, The Weeknd's Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour concluded. The tour, which began on February 17, 2017, supported his album Starboy, and included visits to Europe, North and South America, and Oceania.
In 2017, The Weeknd partnered with retail company H&M for their men's collection.
In 2017, The Weeknd purchased a home in Hidden Hills, California, for $18.5 million.
In 2017, The Weeknd was featured on Cashmere Cat's single "Wild Love" with Francis and the Lights, which served as the lead single from Cashmere Cat's debut studio album 9.
On February 2, 2018, The Weeknd contributed to the Black Panther soundtrack with the song "Pray for Me" with Kendrick Lamar. The track was released as the third single from the soundtrack.
On March 30, 2018, The Weeknd released his debut extended play My Dear Melancholy,. The EP debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking Tesfaye's third consecutive number-one album.
On June 6, 2018, The Weeknd announced his new Apple Music 1 radio show called Memento Mori. The first episode was released two days later.
In July 2018, The Weeknd collaborated with Marvel Comics to release a comic book inspired by his third studio album, Starboy.
On August 3, 2018, The Weeknd was featured on two tracks from Travis Scott's third studio album, Astroworld, specifically "Skeletons" and "Wake Up".
In 2018, The Weeknd returned to a more alternative R&B sound with the release of his debut extended play, My Dear Melancholy.
On January 11, 2019, The Weeknd was featured on Gesaffelstein's song "Lost in the Fire", which was the second single from his second studio album Hyperion.
In January 2019, The Weeknd faced criticism for lyrics in his collaboration with Gesaffelstein, "Lost in the Fire". The controversial verse was accused of being homophobic and fetishizing bisexuality. The Weeknd subtly addressed this controversy later in his song "Snowchild".
In April 2019, The Weeknd became an owner and global ambassador of the esports company OverActive Media, who owns the Splyce and Overwatch League team Toronto Defiant.
In June 2019, "The Hills" was certified diamond by the RIAA, marking The Weeknd's first diamond-certified record.
In August 2019, The Weeknd and Bella Hadid ended their on-again, off-again relationship, which began in April 2015.
On August 30, 2019, The Weeknd made his acting debut in the film "Uncut Gems" during the Telluride Film Festival, showcasing his interest in film and expanding his career into acting.
On November 24, 2019, The Weeknd teased his single "Blinding Lights" through a Mercedes-Benz commercial.
In January 2020, The Weeknd released a second apparel collection in collaboration with A Bathing Ape, continuing his ventures in fashion design.
On February 19, 2020, The Weeknd revealed that his fourth studio album would be titled After Hours, and would be released on March 20. He also released the album's title track as a promotional single.
On March 7, 2020, The Weeknd made his third appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live and starred in the skit "On The Couch" with Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd.
On March 29, 2020, The Weeknd released the deluxe version of After Hours, which included the tracks "Nothing Compares", "Missed You" and "Final Lullaby".
In April 2020, The Weeknd launched a line of non-medical face masks to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund and donated US$500,000 to MusiCares and CA$500,000 to the Scarborough Health Network to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts.
In May 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, The Weeknd donated US$500,000 to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp, and the National Bail Out, and urged others to donate.
On August 7, 2020, The Weeknd was featured on the late Juice Wrld's single "Smile" from his first posthumous album Legends Never Die.
On August 31, 2020, The Weeknd partnered with TD Bank to launch Black HXOUSE, an entrepreneurial initiative within the incubator HXOUSE, where he serves as a sleeping partner, supporting Black Canadian entrepreneurs.
In 2020, The Weeknd explored dream-pop and new wave genres with his fourth studio album, After Hours.
In 2020, The Weeknd stated to Variety, "I dunno...everything is a test, and if you are religious or spiritual, you have to go through things.", when asked about whether or not he was still religious.
In 2020, The Weeknd was listed by Time as one of the world's most influential people, marking his significant impact on society.
On February 5, 2021, The Weeknd released his second greatest hits album The Highlights. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, making it Tesfaye's highest charting compilation album.
On February 7, 2021, The Weeknd headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show, becoming the first Canadian solo artist to do so. He reportedly spent US$7 million of his own money on the performance.
In March 2021, The Weeknd auctioned a collection of visual artwork and an unreleased song in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT) on Nifty Gateway, embracing digital art and blockchain technology.
In March 2021, The Weeknd reissued his mixtape House of Balloons in its original form with the original mixes and samples, celebrating the tenth anniversary of its release.
On April 4, 2021, The Weeknd announced a US$1,000,000 donation through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to relief efforts in Ethiopia for people affected by the Tigray War.
On May 8, 2021, The Weeknd's remix of "Save Your Tears" with Ariana Grande reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking their sixth number one hit.
In May 2021, The Weeknd expressed solidarity for civilians who died during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.
On June 29, 2021, The Weeknd announced that he would be co-creating, co-writing, executive producing, and starring in the HBO television drama series "The Idol", alongside Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.
On August 2, 2021, The Weeknd released a snippet of new music on social media.
As of August 2021, The Weeknd was residing in Bel Air, Los Angeles, marking a change in his primary residence.
In August 2021, The Weeknd's mixtape Thursday was reissued in its authentic form to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its release.
In August 2021, during a cover story with GQ, The Weeknd described himself as being "sober lite", stating that he has stopped using drugs with the exception of marijuana and drinks alcohol occasionally.
On September 11, 2021, The Weeknd's song "Blinding Lights" became the longest charting song by a solo artist on the Hot 100 at 90 weeks.
In September 2021, The Weeknd appeared on the cover of the September 2021 issue of GQ, marking the magazine's first global publication.
On October 4, 2021, The Weeknd revealed during an episode of Memento Mori that his fifth studio album was complete and he was waiting on a "couple characters that are key to the narrative."
On October 22, 2021, The Weeknd was featured on Swedish House Mafia's single "Moth to a Flame" from their debut studio album Paradise Again.
On November 23, 2021, Billboard ranked "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd as the #1 Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time, surpassing "The Twist" by Chubby Checker.
In 2021, The Weeknd was appointed a World Food Programme goodwill ambassador, signifying his commitment to humanitarian causes.
On January 7, 2022, The Weeknd released his fifth studio album Dawn FM. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
In February 2022, The Weeknd began a relationship with Saudi-born disc jockey Simi Khadra, keeping it private from the press.
On March 3, 2022, The Weeknd partnered with the WFP to launch the XO Humanitarian Fund, donating US$1 from every ticket sold at his After Hours til Dawn Tour and an additional US$500,000 to the WFP.
On March 20, 2022, The Weeknd voiced two characters during an episode of "The Simpsons", expanding his involvement in animated television.
On July 8, 2022, The Weeknd's record for the most number-one songs on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart was surpassed by Chris Brown, who broke Weeknd's record of 71 songs with 8 more.
In July 2022, The Weeknd's upcoming tour, originally titled the After Hours Tour, was scheduled to commence entirely in stadiums. The tour was renamed as the After Hours til Dawn Tour.
On December 2, 2022, The Weeknd appeared on the song "Creepin'" from Metro Boomin's album, Heroes & Villains.
On December 16, 2022, The Weeknd's song "Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)", made for the film Avatar: The Way of Water's official soundtrack, was released.
In 2022, The Weeknd explored dance-pop with his fifth album, Dawn FM.
In 2022, The Weeknd invested in plant-based beverage brand Koia, showing support for sustainable and health-conscious products.
On January 1, 2023, The Weeknd's song "Blinding Lights" became the most streamed song on Spotify with 3.3 billion streams.
On February 24, 2023, a remix of The Weeknd's 2016 song "Die for You", featuring Ariana Grande, was released, marking their fourth collaboration.
On February 27, 2023, following the success of the "Die for You" remix, The Weeknd became the first artist to surpass 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
On March 1, 2023, Rolling Stone published an exposé detailing the alleged toxic work environment on the set of the HBO series "The Idol", co-created and starring The Weeknd. The series was criticized for graphic sexual content and a shift in creative direction after the departure of original director Amy Seimetz.
On March 3, 2023, The Weeknd released his first live album, titled Live at SoFi Stadium, featuring recordings from his HBO concert film showcasing the last concert of the North American leg of his After Hours til Dawn Tour at SoFi Stadium.
On March 11, 2023, the "Die for You" remix reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming both The Weeknd and Ariana Grande's seventh number one hit.
In April 2023, The Weeknd revealed that he has ADHD.
On April 29, 2023, The Weeknd featured on four songs—"Artificial Intelligence", "Defame Moi", "More Coke!!", and "Emotionless"—from Mike Dean's album 4:23.
In May 2023, The Weeknd stated that he intended to retire the moniker of "the Weeknd" in favor of performing under his birth name or adopting a new pseudonym altogether, suggesting his upcoming album would be his "final hurrah" under the name.
On June 8, 2023, The Weeknd announced a series of EPs featuring music from The Idol, originally intended as a soundtrack album. Each EP was released following the premiere of each episode of the show and featured collaborations with various artists.
On August 28, 2023, HBO announced it had cancelled The Idol, the drama series co-created by The Weeknd, after one season, following widespread negative reviews.
On December 2, 2023, Fortnite announced that the Weeknd would be featured as the headlining artist for its Fortnite Festival gamemode, and outfits of him would become available to play with on December 9.
In 2023, The Weeknd co-created and starred in the HBO drama series The Idol, which was a critical failure, but its accompanying soundtrack saw commercial success.
In 2023, The Weeknd was dubbed the "world's most popular artist" by Guinness World Records.
In 2023, it was announced that The Weeknd is co-writing a film with Trey Edward Shults, who is attached to direct. The Weeknd is also set to star in the film alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
On January 8, 2024, The Weeknd teased an upcoming album on social media, posting pictures of his last two albums and a question mark.
On January 9, 2024, The Weeknd partnered with School on Wheels Inc. to support more than 1,000 students experiencing homelessness. He also released merchandise for his concert in Brazil and will donate 10% of the net profits to the Brazilian Soul Fund of BrazilFoundation.
On March 22, 2024, The Weeknd appeared on the track "Young Metro" from Future and Metro Boomin's collaborative album, We Don't Trust You, as well as several tracks on Future and Metro Boomin's We Still Don't Trust You album.
On April 29, 2024, The Weeknd announced he will donate another $2 million to Palestine as loaves of bread.
On July 17, 2024, Tesfaye announced a one-night show in São Paulo, Brazil, set to take place on September 7, 2024. He also announced the title of his upcoming sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, three days prior to the concert.
On September 7, 2024, The Weeknd performed a one-night show in São Paulo, Brazil.
On January 31, 2025, The Weeknd released his sixth studio album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow".
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