Ah, the Weeknd. A true enigma of the music industry, a true master of his craft. His voice, as smooth as silk, as powerful as a wave. It carries you away to a world of dark, alluring, and hypnotic sounds. His music, a reflection of his soul, a symphony of raw emotion and unbridled passion. He is a true artist, one who pours his heart and soul into every note, every word.
His style, a reflection of his unique and eclectic taste, is a blend of R&B, pop and hip-hop, it’s a mix of vintage and contemporary. It’s like a symphony of nostalgia, a celebration of the past while at the same time being firmly rooted in the present.
Early Life
The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame in the early 2010s with a series of critically acclaimed mixtapes that he released on the social media platform, Tumblr. Since then, he has become one of the most successful and popular artists of his generation, known for his distinctive voice, eclectic musical style, and critically acclaimed albums.
Tesfaye was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Canada. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in the city’s Scarborough neighborhood. Growing up, he was exposed to a variety of music genres and developed a love for R&B and hip-hop. He began experimenting with music production and songwriting in his early teens.
Career Beginnings
In 2011, Tesfaye signed with Republic Records and released a remastered version of “House of Balloons” as his official debut. The mixtape was a commercial success and earned him a spot on the longlist for the Polaris Music Prize, an award for the best Canadian album of the year.
Debut Studio Album and Rise to Fame
The following year, Tesfaye released his debut studio album “Kiss Land.” The album was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, and included hit singles “Belong to the World” and “Live For.” However, the album received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its ambitious production and atmospheric sound, while others criticized its lack of emotional depth.
Breakthrough with “Beauty behind the Madness”
In 2015, Tesfaye released his second studio album “Beauty Behind the Madness,” which included hit singles “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face.” The album was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and earning Tesfaye multiple Grammy nominations. The album’s sound was more upbeat and radio-friendly than his previous work, and it showcased his ability to write catchy pop hooks while still maintaining his distinct style.
Continued Success with “Starboy” and Beyond
In 2016, Tesfaye released his third studio album “Starboy,” which featured hit singles “Starboy” and “I Feel It Coming.” The album was another commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, and won The Weeknd two Grammy Awards in 2018. The album was a continuation of his pop oriented sound on “Beauty Behind the Madness” but also incorporated more electronic and funk elements.
In 2018, he released a short EP album titled “My Dear Melancholy,” which was released unexpectedly and with no prior announcements and it marked a change in his sound and style, the album was darker and more introspective than his previous works, exploring themes of heartbreak and despair. The album received positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.
In 2020, The Weeknd released his fourth studio album “After Hours”, the album which was well-received by critics, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, and it also spawned several hit singles such as “Blinding Lights”, “Heartless” and “In Your Eyes” which were highly successful worldwide. “After Hours” was The Weeknd’s most successful album commercially and critically.
The Weeknd also released his fifth studio album “The High” in 2021, which further solidified his status as one of the most popular and successful artists of his generation. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and includes hit singles such as “Save Your Tears” and “Too Late”. The album is marked as a return to the darker and more atmospheric sound that characterized his early work, while also incorporating elements of electronic, funk and R&B.
Albums:
The Weeknd has released the following studio albums:
“Kiss Land” (2013)
“Beauty Behind the Madness” (2015)
“Starboy” (2016)
“My Dear Melancholy,” (2018)
“After Hours” (2020)
“The High” (2021)
The Weeknd has also released several mixtapes prior to releasing his debut studio album such as “House of Balloons,” “Thursday,” and “Echoes of Silence” which were released on the social media platform Tumblr under the moniker “The Weeknd.”
Philanthropy and Charity Works
In addition to his music career, The Weeknd has also been involved in philanthropy and charity work. He founded and supports the The Weeknd Fund, which focuses on improving education and healthcare in Ethiopia, his family’s country of origin. He has also donated millions of dollars to various other charities, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the Relief Fund for Syria.
Achievements
Throughout his career, The Weeknd has sold over 150 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys, Billboards Music Awards, American Music Awards and many more. He has also been listed among the 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2021. His albums have been certified multi-Platinum and Gold in various countries, and he has many hit singles that were highly successful around the world.
The Weeknd has become one of the most successful and popular artists of his generation, known for his distinctive voice, eclectic musical style, and critically acclaimed albums. His music has had a major impact on popular culture and has inspired countless other artists. Despite his success, he continues to push the boundaries of his sound and evolve as an artist, making him one of the most exciting and unpredictable figures in the music industry today.
Movies and Acting
In addition to his music career, The Weeknd has also made appearances in several films, television shows and music videos. He made his acting debut in Uncut Gems, a crime thriller film directed by the Safdie Brothers, released in 2019, he played himself and had a minor role in the movie. He also appeared in the show American Dad! And had a recurring role as a musician in the drama series, Star, where he also served as an executive producer. The Weeknd also appears in few of his own music videos, music video for “The Hills” was a hit and it was directed by Grant Singer, who also directed other videos for him such as “Can’t Feel My Face”, “Starboy”, “I Feel It Coming”, “In Your Eyes”, and “Save Your Tears”
Conclusion:
Abel has become one of the most successful and popular artists of his generation, known for his distinctive voice, eclectic musical style, and critically acclaimed albums. He is also active in philanthropy and charity works and has founded and supported several charities, including The Weeknd Fund.
With a career spanning over a decade, he has sold over 150 Million records worldwide and won various accolades throughout his career and has been listed among the 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2021.