History of The Weeknd in Timeline
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, professionally known as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter recognized for his distinctive musical style. His work is characterized by innovative production techniques, frequent artistic transformations, and a prominent use of falsetto vocals.
February 16, 1990: Birth of Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
On February 16, 1990, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, was born.
2002: Early Musical Influences and Discovery
In 2002, a young The Weeknd discovered the music of the 1980s through the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, an experience that would heavily shape his sound.
August 2009: The Weeknd's Early Music on YouTube
The Weeknd's journey began in August 2009 when he started anonymously posting his music on YouTube.
2009: The Weeknd Begins Releasing Music Anonymously
The Weeknd began releasing music anonymously on YouTube in 2009.
December 2010: The Weeknd Gains Attention with Early Tracks
In December 2010, The Weeknd uploaded "What You Need," "Loft Music," and "The Morning" on YouTube under the username "xoxxxoooxo." These songs garnered significant online attention and helped launch his career.
2010: The Weeknd's Early Mixtapes and Genre-Bending Sound
The Weeknd's first three mixtapes, released in 2010, showcased his alternative R&B style, incorporating elements of dream pop, post-punk, and trip hop.
May 2011: The Weeknd Collaborates with Drake
The Weeknd started working with Drake in May 2011.
July 2011: The Weeknd's First Live Performance
The Weeknd's first live performance took place in July 2011 at the Mod Club Theatre in Toronto.
2011: The Weeknd Releases Three Mixtapes and Gains Recognition
In 2011, The Weeknd co-founded the record label XO and released three mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. He gained recognition for his unique blend of contemporary and alternative R&B.
2011: The Weeknd Founds XO Records and Releases House of Balloons Mixtape
In 2011, The Weeknd, alongside music executives Wassim "Sal" Slaiby and Amir "Cash" Esmailian, founded the XO record label. This year also marked the release of his debut mixtape, House of Balloons.
2011: The Weeknd Starts Growing Signature Hairstyle
The Weeknd began growing his signature hairstyle in 2011, which he maintained with minimal effort.
2011: The Weeknd's 2011 Mixtapes Re-Released as Trilogy
The Weeknd's 2011 mixtapes, which garnered significant attention, were remastered and released as the compilation album Trilogy in 2012.
April 2012: The Weeknd Performs at Coachella and Other Festivals
The Weeknd started performing at bigger venues and festivals in April 2012, including Coachella.
November 13, 2012: The Weeknd Releases Trilogy Compilation Album
On November 13, 2012, The Weeknd released Trilogy, a compilation album containing remastered versions of his 2011 mixtapes.
November 2012: The Weeknd's Fall Tour and Opening for Florence and the Machine
The Weeknd embarked on his first concert tour, the Fall Tour, in September 2012. The tour included both headlining shows and opening acts for the English band Florence and the Machine.
2012: The Weeknd Releases Echoes of Silence Mixtape
The Weeknd's third mixtape, Echoes of Silence, was released on December 21, 2011.
2012: The Weeknd Signs With Republic Records and Releases Trilogy
The Weeknd signed with Republic Records in 2012 and re-released his three mixtapes as a compilation album titled Trilogy.
May 17, 2013: The Weeknd Announces Debut Studio Album, Kiss Land
The Weeknd announced the release of his debut studio album, Kiss Land, on May 17, 2013.
November 2013: The Weeknd Tours and Opens for Justin Timberlake
The Weeknd went on tour to promote Kiss Land and also served as an opening act for Justin Timberlake during his The 20/20 Experience World Tour in November 2013.
2013: The Weeknd Releases Debut Studio Album, Kiss Land
In 2013, The Weeknd released his debut studio album, Kiss Land.
2013: Collaboration with ONE Condoms
The Weeknd collaborated with condom company ONE in 2013 to distribute limited-edition condoms at his concerts during the Kiss Land Fall Tour.
2013: The Weeknd Nominated for BBC's Sound of 2013
The Weeknd received a nomination for the Sound of 2013 poll award by BBC.
2013: Release of "The Machine" and Its Potential Connection to "The Hills"
The science fiction film "The Machine," released in 2013, became the subject of a later legal dispute alleging that The Weeknd's "The Hills" used a bassline from its score.
February 2014: Remixes of "Drunk in Love" and "Or Nah"
In February 2014, The Weeknd released remixes of Beyoncé's "Drunk in Love" and Ty Dolla Sign's "Or Nah".
June 2014: Announcement of King of the Fall Tour
The Weeknd announced his King of the Fall Tour in June 2014, a 4-city tour across North America.
October 2014: The Weeknd Receives Allan Slaight Honour
In October 2014, The Weeknd was awarded the Allan Slaight Honour by Canada's Walk of Fame for his impact on the music industry.
2014: Donation to the University of Toronto
After receiving the Bikila Award for Professional Excellence in 2014, The Weeknd donated CA$50,000 to the University of Toronto to establish a new course on Ge'ez, the classical language of Ethiopia.
2014: The Weeknd Collaborates and Contributes to Film Soundtracks
Between 2013 and 2014, The Weeknd focused on collaborations and contributing to film soundtracks.
January 2015: The Weeknd Arrested
In January 2015, The Weeknd was arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in Las Vegas and sentenced to community service.
April 2015: Start of Relationship with Bella Hadid
The Weeknd began an on-again, off-again relationship with model Bella Hadid in April 2015.
May 27, 2015: Release of "The Hills"
The Weeknd released "The Hills", the second single from his album "Beauty Behind the Madness", on May 27, 2015. It became his second number-one single.
June 2015: The Weeknd at the BET Awards and Other Career Highlights
In June 2015, The Weeknd performed "Earned It" with Alicia Keys at the BET Awards. He also released "Can't Feel My Face," which became his first number-one song in the US. He became the first artist to hold the top three spots on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart simultaneously and was featured in Apple Music promotions.
August 28, 2015: Release of "Beauty Behind the Madness"
On August 28, 2015, The Weeknd released "Beauty Behind the Madness," his second studio album. It debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.
September 4, 2015: Collaboration on Travis Scott's "Pray 4 Love"
The Weeknd was featured on Travis Scott's debut album "Rodeo" on September 4, 2015, on the track "Pray 4 Love".
November 2015: Collaboration with Pax Labs
In November 2015, The Weeknd partnered with Pax Labs to release a limited-edition vaporizer.
December 2015: Bella Hadid Stars in "In the Night" Music Video
Bella Hadid starred in the music video for The Weeknd's single "In the Night" in December 2015.
December 2015: The Weeknd Faces Lawsuit Over "The Hills" Bassline
In December 2015, The Weeknd was sued by Cutting Edge Music, who claimed that the bassline for "The Hills" was taken from a composition used in the film "The Machine" (2013).
2015: The Weeknd Shifts to Pop Sound with Beauty Behind the Madness
The Weeknd's second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, was released in 2015 and marked a shift towards a more pop-oriented sound.
2015: Earned It for Fifty Shades of Grey
In 2015, The Weeknd released "Earned It," a song featured on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. The song earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
2015: The Weeknd Discusses Alternative R&B and its Impact
During a 2015 interview, The Weeknd shared his perspective on the "alternative R&B" label, acknowledging its presence in his music and expressing his honor at inspiring a new wave of artists within the genre.
2015: Release of "Vibeking" by Suniel Fox and Henry Strange
Suniel Fox and Henry Strange released their track "Vibeking" in 2015. This song would later become central to a copyright lawsuit against The Weeknd's "Call Out My Name," alleging unauthorized use of similar elements.
February 14, 2016: Collaboration with Kanye West on "FML"
On February 14, 2016, The Weeknd collaborated with Kanye West on "FML" for West's album "The Life of Pablo".
May 2016: Donation to St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
During Orthodox Easter in May 2016, The Weeknd donated CA$50,000 to the St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Toronto, a church he attended in his youth.
August 2016: Funding for Ethiopian Studies Program
The Weeknd funded a new Ethiopian studies program at the University of Toronto in August 2016.
August 2016: Donation to Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
In response to reports of police brutality, The Weeknd donated US$250,000 to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation in August 2016.
September 2016: Announcement of "Starboy"
In September 2016, The Weeknd announced his third studio album, "Starboy," featuring Daft Punk.
2016: The Weeknd Continues Pop Success with Starboy
The Weeknd's third studio album, Starboy, was released in 2016, further solidifying his presence in the pop music scene.
2016: Partnership with Puma
The year 2016 saw The Weeknd become a creative collaborator and global brand ambassador for Puma, releasing capsule collections and hosting pop-up shops.
2016: Release of "Die for You"
The Weeknd's song "Die for You" was released in 2016.
2016: The Weeknd Cuts Hair
The Weeknd cut his signature hairstyle in 2016, ahead of the release of his album "Starboy."
2016: Support for The Weeknd's Third Studio Album
The Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour, which took place between February 2017 and December 2017, was in support of The Weeknd's third studio album, Starboy (2016).
February 15, 2017: Collaboration on Nav's "Some Way"
The Weeknd was featured on Nav's debut single "Some Way" on February 15, 2017.
February 17, 2017: Beginning of Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour
The Weeknd began his Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour on February 17, 2017, in support of his album "Starboy".
June 2017: Donation to Suubi Health Center
Inspired by French Montana's work with Global Citizen and Mama Hope, The Weeknd donated US$100,000 to the Suubi Health Center in Uganda in June 2017.
October 2017: End of Relationship with Selena Gomez
The Weeknd's relationship with singer-actress Selena Gomez ended in October 2017.
December 14, 2017: Conclusion of Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour
The Weeknd's Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour concluded on December 14, 2017.
2017: The Weeknd Purchases Home in Hidden Hills
The Weeknd purchased a home in Hidden Hills, California for $18.5 million in 2017, which he later sold to Madonna in 2021.
2017: Collaboration on Cashmere Cat's "Wild Love"
The Weeknd was featured on Cashmere Cat's single "Wild Love" in 2017.
2017: H&M Partnership
In 2017, The Weeknd partnered with H&M for their men's collection but later severed ties in 2018 following a racism controversy involving the company.
February 2, 2018: Pray for Me Release
On February 2, 2018, The Weeknd collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on the song "Pray for Me" for the Black Panther soundtrack.
March 30, 2018: My Dear Melancholy, Release
On March 30, 2018, The Weeknd released his debut extended play, My Dear Melancholy.
June 6, 2018: Memento Mori Radio Show Launch
On June 6, 2018, The Weeknd announced his new Apple Music 1 radio show, Memento Mori.
July 2018: Marvel Comics Collaboration
The Weeknd collaborated with Marvel Comics in July 2018 to release a comic book inspired by his album "Starboy."
August 3, 2018: Collaboration on Astroworld
The Weeknd was featured on two tracks, "Skeletons" and "Wake Up," from Travis Scott's third studio album, Astroworld, released August 3, 2018.
September 2018: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Targets "Starboy"
The Weeknd and Daft Punk faced a lawsuit in September 2018, with allegations that their song "Starboy" infringed on the work of Ethiopian artist Yasminah. The Weeknd denied these claims.
2018: The Weeknd Returns to Alternative R&B with My Dear Melancholy
The Weeknd's debut extended play, My Dear Melancholy, was released in 2018, marking a return to his alternative R&B roots.
January 11, 2019: Lost in the Fire Release
On January 11, 2019, The Weeknd was featured on Gesaffelstein's song "Lost in the Fire," from his second studio album Hyperion.
January 2019: "Starboy" Achieves Triple Platinum
The Weeknd's album "Starboy" was certified triple platinum by the RIAA as of January 2019.
January 2019: The Weeknd Faces Criticism Over Lyrics in "Lost in the Fire"
The Weeknd's collaboration with Gesaffelstein on the song "Lost in the Fire" sparked controversy in January 2019. Some of the lyrics were deemed homophobic and accused of perpetuating harmful stereotypes about bisexuality.
April 2019: The Weeknd Hit With Copyright Lawsuit Over "A Lonely Night"
British musical trio William Smith, Brian Clover, and Scott McCulloch filed a lawsuit against The Weeknd in April 2019, claiming that his song "A Lonely Night" plagiarized their track "I Need to Love."
April 2019: OverActive Media Investment
The Weeknd became an owner and global ambassador of the esports company OverActive Media in April 2019.
June 2019: "The Hills" Certified Diamond
In June 2019, The Weeknd's single "The Hills" was certified diamond by the RIAA, marking his first diamond record.
August 2019: End of Relationship with Bella Hadid
The Weeknd and Bella Hadid ended their on-again, off-again relationship in August 2019.
August 2019: Court Dismisses Initial "A Lonely Night" Copyright Lawsuit
The copyright infringement case against The Weeknd regarding "A Lonely Night" was dismissed in August 2019, with the court stating that the plaintiffs hadn't sufficiently proven their claims. However, they were given the opportunity to amend their complaint.
August 30, 2019: The Weeknd Makes Acting Debut in "Uncut Gems" at Telluride Film Festival
The Weeknd stepped into the world of acting with his debut performance in the film "Uncut Gems." The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2019.
September 2019: Plaintiffs Refile Copyright Claim Against "A Lonely Night"
Following the dismissal of their initial lawsuit, the plaintiffs in the "A Lonely Night" copyright case filed an amended claim in September 2019, focusing on secondary infringement. The litigation regarding this amended claim is ongoing.
November 24, 2019: Blinding Lights Teaser Release
On November 24, 2019, The Weeknd teased his single "Blinding Lights" through a Mercedes-Benz commercial.
January 2020: Second A Bathing Ape Collection Release
January 2020 marked the release of The Weeknd's second apparel collection in collaboration with A Bathing Ape.
February 2020: The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar Sued Over "Pray for Me" Sample
In February 2020, indie band Yeasayer filed a lawsuit against The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar, alleging that their song "Pray for Me" used an unauthorized sample from Yeasayer's track "Sunrise."
February 19, 2020: After Hours Album Announcement
On February 19, 2020, The Weeknd announced his fourth studio album, After Hours, would be released on March 20, and released the album's title track as a promotional single.
March 7, 2020: Third Saturday Night Live Appearance
On March 7, 2020, The Weeknd made his third appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, where he also starred in the skit "On The Couch" with Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd.
March 29, 2020: After Hours Deluxe Version Release
On March 29, 2020 The Weeknd released the deluxe version of After Hours, including the bonus tracks: "Nothing Compares", "Missed You", and "Final Lullaby".
April 2020: COVID-19 Relief Efforts
In April 2020, The Weeknd launched a line of non-medical face masks, with proceeds going to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. He also donated to MusiCares and the Scarborough Health Network.
May 2020: Donations to Social Justice Organizations
Following the murder of George Floyd, The Weeknd donated to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Know Your Rights Camp, and the National Bail Out in May 2020, urging others in the music industry to do the same.
August 7, 2020: Smile Collaboration
On August 7, 2020, The Weeknd was featured on the late Juice Wrld's single "Smile" from his first posthumous album, Legends Never Die.
August 31, 2020: Black HXOUSE Launch
On August 31, 2020, The Weeknd partnered with TD Bank to launch Black HXOUSE, an initiative supporting Black entrepreneurs.
2020: The Weeknd Explores Dream-Pop and New Wave with After Hours
The Weeknd released his fourth studio album, After Hours, in 2020. The album saw him experimenting with dream-pop and new wave influences.
2020: The Weeknd Named One of Time's Most Influential People
In 2020, The Weeknd was recognized by Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people.
2020: Variety Interview on Personal Life and Religion
In a rare interview with Variety in 2020, The Weeknd briefly touched upon his preference for privacy and his evolving relationship with religion, raised as Ethiopian Orthodox.
2020: Collaboration with NBC Sports and the 2020 Summer Olympics
In 2020, The Weeknd collaborated with NBC Sports and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
February 5, 2021: The Highlights Release
On February 5, 2021, The Weeknd released his second greatest hits album, The Highlights.
February 7, 2021: Super Bowl LV Halftime Show Performance
On February 7, 2021, The Weeknd became the first Canadian solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
March 2021: House of Balloons Reissue
In March 2021, The Weeknd reissued his mixtape House of Balloons in its original form, with original mixes and samples.
March 2021: NFT Venture
The Weeknd ventured into the world of NFTs in March 2021, auctioning off artwork and an unreleased song on Nifty Gateway.
April 4, 2021: Donation to UN World Food Programme for Tigray War Relief
The Weeknd announced a US$1 million donation to the UN World Food Programme on April 4, 2021, to support relief efforts in Ethiopia during the Tigray War.
May 8, 2021: Save Your Tears Remix Release and Billboard Hot 100 #1
On May 8, 2021, The Weeknd's remix of "Save Your Tears" with Ariana Grande reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
May 2021: Solidarity with Palestine
The Weeknd was among those who expressed solidarity with civilians affected by the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis in May 2021.
June 29, 2021: The Idol Announcement
On June 29, 2021, The Weeknd announced his involvement in the HBO drama series "The Idol," where he would co-create, co-write, executive produce, and star alongside Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.
August 2, 2021: The Weeknd Teases New Music and Appears on GQ Cover
On August 2, 2021, The Weeknd teased new music on social media and appeared on the cover of GQ's September issue, marking the magazine's first global publication.
August 2021: The Weeknd Resides in Bel Air
As of August 2021, The Weeknd was residing in Bel Air, Los Angeles.
August 2021: The Weeknd Discusses Sobriety
In August 2021, The Weeknd described himself as "sober lite," abstaining from hard drugs but occasionally consuming marijuana and alcohol.
August 2021: Thursday Reissue
In August 2021, The Weeknd reissued his mixtape Thursday, with its original mixes and samples.
September 11, 2021: End of "Blinding Lights" Record Run
On September 11, 2021, The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" ended its 90-week run on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest charting song by a solo artist.
September 2021: Producers File Lawsuit Over Alleged Similarities Between "Call Out My Name" and "Vibeking"
Music producers Suniel Fox and Henry Strange filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in September 2021 against The Weeknd, Nicolás Jaar, and Frank Dukes. The lawsuit claimed that The Weeknd's "Call Out My Name" had significant similarities to their 2015 track, "Vibeking."
September 2021: The Weeknd Graces GQ's September Cover
The Weeknd was featured on the cover of GQ's September 2021 issue, which was the magazine's first global publication.
October 4, 2021: The Weeknd Announces Completion of Fifth Studio Album
On October 4, 2021, The Weeknd revealed that his fifth studio album was finished, hinting at waiting for key collaborators.
October 22, 2021: Collaboration with Swedish House Mafia
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".
November 23, 2021: Blinding Lights Tops Billboard's Greatest Hits
On November 23, 2021, Billboard ranked The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" as the #1 Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time, surpassing "The Twist" by Chubby Checker.
2021: The Weeknd Praises Daft Punk as a Major Influence
Upon Daft Punk's split in 2021, The Weeknd expressed high praise for the duo, citing them as a significant reason behind his own pursuit of music.
2021: The Weeknd Becomes World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador
The Weeknd was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Programme in 2021.
January 7, 2022: Release of Dawn FM and Chart Success
On January 7, 2022, The Weeknd released his fifth studio album, "Dawn FM," which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
February 2022: Start of Relationship with Simi Khadra
The Weeknd began dating Saudi-born DJ Simi Khadra in February 2022, maintaining a more private relationship than his previous ones.
March 3, 2022: Launch of XO Humanitarian Fund
In partnership with the UN World Food Programme, The Weeknd launched the XO Humanitarian Fund on March 3, 2022, pledging US$1 from every ticket sold on his tour and a US$500,000 donation.
March 20, 2022: The Simpsons Voice Role
The Weeknd lent his voice to two characters on an episode of "The Simpsons" that aired on March 20, 2022.
July 2022: After Hours til Dawn Tour Announcement
The Weeknd's After Hours Tour, later renamed After Hours til Dawn Tour, was announced to start in July 2022, incorporating elements from his fourth and fifth studio albums.
July 26, 2022: The Weeknd to Host Haunted House at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
The Weeknd announced on July 26, 2022, that he would host a haunted house experience at Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood as part of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.
December 2, 2022: Collaboration with Metro Boomin on "Creepin'"
On December 2, 2022, The Weeknd appeared on Metro Boomin's album "Heroes & Villains" on the song "Creepin'".
December 16, 2022: Release of "Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)" for Avatar: The Way of Water
The Weeknd released "Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)" on December 16, 2022, for the Avatar: The Way of Water film soundtrack.
2022: Renewed Interest in "Die for You"
The Weeknd's song "Die for You" experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2022, charting and reaching a new peak of number six on the Billboard Hot 100 six years after its initial release.
2022: The Weeknd Embraces Dance-Pop with Dawn FM
In 2022, The Weeknd released his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, which showcased his exploration of the dance-pop genre.
2022: New Trilogy Announcement
The Weeknd hinted at a new album trilogy in 2022.
2022: Inspiration for Fortnite Outfits
The Weeknd's outfits in Fortnite are inspired by his looks from the "After Hours" promotional material, his 2022 Coachella performance, and his After Hours til Dawn Tour.
January 1, 2023: Blinding Lights Becomes Most Streamed Song on Spotify
On January 1, 2023, The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" became the most streamed song on Spotify, amassing 3.3 billion streams.
February 24, 2023: Release of "Die for You" Remix with Ariana Grande
On February 24, 2023, The Weeknd released a remix of his song "Die for You" featuring Ariana Grande, marking their fourth collaboration.
February 27, 2023: The Weeknd Surpasses 100 Million Monthly Spotify Listeners
The Weeknd became the first artist to surpass 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify on February 27, 2023.
March 1, 2023: Rolling Stone Publishes Exposé on "The Idol," Sparking Controversy
On March 1, 2023, Rolling Stone released an exposé detailing alleged issues during the production of the HBO series "The Idol," which The Weeknd co-created and starred in. The report sparked significant controversy, criticizing the show's graphic sexual content and alleging a toxic work environment on set.
March 3, 2023: Release of Live at SoFi Stadium
On March 3, 2023, The Weeknd released his first live album, "Live at SoFi Stadium," featuring recordings from his HBO concert film of the same name.
March 11, 2023: "Die for You" Remix Tops Billboard Hot 100
The remix of "Die for You" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on March 11, 2023, marking The Weeknd and Ariana Grande's seventh number one hit.
March 2023: "Starboy" Certified Diamond
By March 2023, The Weeknd's song "Starboy" was certified Diamond by the RIAA.
April 2023: The Weeknd Reveals ADHD Diagnosis
The Weeknd revealed his ADHD diagnosis in April 2023.
April 29, 2023: Collaborations on Mike Dean's Album
On April 29, 2023, The Weeknd was featured on four songs from Mike Dean's album "4:23".
May 2023: The Weeknd Considers Retiring Stage Name
In May 2023, The Weeknd expressed his intention to potentially retire his stage name, "The Weeknd," and perform under his birth name or a new pseudonym, suggesting his upcoming album might be his last as "The Weeknd."
June 8, 2023: The Weeknd Announces "The Idol" EP Series and Academy Invitation
On June 8, 2023, The Weeknd announced a series of EPs featuring music from "The Idol" and received an invitation to join the Academy.
August 28, 2023: HBO Cancels "The Idol" After One Season
HBO announced the cancellation of the drama series "The Idol," co-created by and starring The Weeknd, on August 28, 2023, after one season due to widespread negative reviews and controversy surrounding its graphic content.
December 2, 2023: The Weeknd Announced as Fortnite Festival Headliner
On December 2, 2023, Fortnite announced The Weeknd as the headlining artist for its Fortnite Festival game mode, with his outfits becoming available in-game on December 9th.
2023: Donation to Gaza Strip Relief
In 2023, The Weeknd's XO Humanitarian Fund directed $2.5 million to the UN World Food Programme for emergency meals in the Gaza Strip following the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.
2023: The Weeknd Co-Creates and Stars in HBO's The Idol
In 2023, The Weeknd co-created and starred in the HBO drama series The Idol.
2023: The Weeknd Ranked Among Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers
In 2023, Rolling Stone included The Weeknd in their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, placing him at number 110.
2023: The Weeknd Named World's Most Popular Artist by Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records named The Weeknd the "world's most popular artist" in 2023.
January 8, 2024: The Weeknd Teases New Album Following "Dawn FM"
On January 8, 2024, The Weeknd further hinted at an upcoming album, following his suggestion of a new trilogy in 2022.
January 9, 2024: Partnership with School on Wheels Inc.
On January 9, 2024, The Weeknd partnered with School on Wheels Inc. to support over 1,000 homeless students.
March 22, 2024: Collaborations with Future and Metro Boomin
The Weeknd appeared on Future and Metro Boomin's collaborative album, "We Don't Trust You," on March 22, 2024, as well as on several tracks from their album "We Still Don't Trust You".
2024: Donation to Palestine
In 2024, The Weeknd announced a $2 million donation to Palestine in the form of bread.
2024: Collaborations with Travis Scott, Diddy, Metro Boomin, and Future
In 2024, The Weeknd collaborated with Travis Scott on his album "Utopia," Diddy on the single "Another One of Me," and worked on multiple tracks with Metro Boomin and Future.