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Abel
Makkonen Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer,
songwriter, and producer who rose to global fame thanks to his unique voice,
mysterious persona, and genre-blending music. He was born on February 16,
1990, in Toronto, Ontario, to Ethiopian immigrant parents. Raised mostly by
his mother and grandmother, he grew up speaking Amharic, the language of his
heritage. His youth wasn’t always easy. At a young age, he got involved in
partying, drinking, and drugs. He dropped out of school and began exploring
music, inspired by artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and R. Kelly.
In 2010, he started uploading music to YouTube under the name The Weeknd.
He chose that name because he had left school one weekend and never returned.
The spelling without the second “e” was necessary because a band already
existed with the name “The Weekend.” His first three mixtapes—“House of
Balloons,” “Thursday,” and “Echoes of Silence”—were released in 2011 and
immediately drew attention. The dark, melancholic atmosphere of his songs,
combined with electronic R&B and alternative influences, made him a
unique voice in the music world. These mixtapes were later bundled into the
album “Trilogy,” marking his first major step toward mainstream
success.
In 2013, he released his first official studio album: “Kiss Land.” Although
the album received mixed reviews, it showed that The Weeknd was eager to
develop his style further. His lyrics remained raw and personal, often
dealing with love, lust, drugs, and loneliness. In 2015, he broke through
with the album “Beauty Behind the Madness.” It featured hits like “Can’t Feel
My Face,” “The Hills,” and “Earned It,” which was also featured in the film
“Fifty Shades of Grey.” “Can’t Feel My Face” became a global hit and revealed
a more pop-oriented side of The Weeknd, while “The Hills” stayed true to his
darker roots.
His collaboration with producer Max Martin played a major role in his
commercial success. Martin helped make his sound more accessible without
losing its identity. The album “Beauty Behind the Madness” won multiple
awards and established The Weeknd as one of the biggest pop stars of the
moment. In 2016, he followed up with the album “Starboy,” featuring collaborations
with Daft Punk. The title track “Starboy” became a massive hit, as did “I
Feel It Coming,” also with Daft Punk. The album showcased a futuristic,
electronic side of The Weeknd, with influences from disco and synthpop.
The Weeknd continued to experiment with his image and musical style. His
performances became more spectacular, and he began telling visual stories. He
appeared in music videos and at award shows with bloodied faces, bandages,
and bruises, as part of a narrative about fame, violence, and alienation.
This visual concept reached its peak with the 2020 album “After Hours.” The
single “Blinding Lights” became one of the biggest hits of the decade, with a
retro sound reminiscent of the 1980s. The song broke records and topped
charts worldwide. Other tracks from the album, like “Save Your Tears” and “In
Your Eyes,” reinforced his status as a pop icon.
During the pandemic, The Weeknd remained active and creative. He released
impressive music videos and performed at the 2021 Super Bowl Halftime Show, a
milestone for any artist. His performance was visually stunning and told a
story about fame, isolation, and self-reflection. He did it without guest
artists, underscoring his status as a solo performer. In 2022, he released
the album “Dawn FM,” a conceptual project set up as a radio show in the
afterlife. With tracks like “Take My Breath,” “Gasoline,” and “Out of Time,”
he explored themes of mortality, forgiveness, and inner peace. The album also
featured a spoken contribution from actor Jim Carrey, who played the
fictional radio host of Dawn FM.
Beyond music, The Weeknd is also active as an actor and philanthropist. He
starred in the HBO series “The Idol,” in which he played a dark role. Although
the series received mixed reactions, it showed that he’s willing to take
risks and push his artistic boundaries. As a philanthropist, he has donated
millions to charitable causes, including aid to Ethiopia, support for Black
Lives Matter, and food relief in Lebanon. He uses his platform not only for
entertainment but also to address social issues.
His music continues to evolve. Where he started with dark, introspective
R&B, he’s now a versatile artist who effortlessly moves between pop,
disco, electronic music, and soul. Yet his voice remains unmistakable: a high
falsetto, often fragile and emotional, that gives his lyrics extra depth. His
songs often deal with the downside of fame, the emptiness after the party,
the pain of lost love, and the search for meaning. Tracks like “Call Out My
Name,” “Die For You,” “Prisoner,” and “Wicked Games” show that he’s not
afraid to reveal his vulnerability.
The Weeknd regularly collaborates with other artists. He’s made music with
Ariana Grande (“Love Me Harder,” “Save Your Tears Remix”), Lana Del Rey
(“Lust for Life”), Kendrick Lamar (“Sidewalks”), Travis Scott (“Wake Up”),
and Doja Cat (“You Right”). These collaborations show that he easily adapts
to different styles without losing his own identity. His label XO Records is
also a platform for new talent, and he remains involved in music production
and development behind the scenes.
What makes The Weeknd special is his ability to combine personal stories with
universal themes. He sings about his own experiences but touches millions of
people. His music is often melancholic but also danceable. He knows how to
unite darkness and light in a style that is both commercially and
artistically successful. His visual style—from album covers to music
videos—is thoughtful and often symbolic. He builds worlds where his music
lives and invites his audience to travel with him.
In interviews, he often remains mysterious. He rarely talks about his
private life, which strengthens his image as an enigmatic artist. Yet it’s
clear that he works hard and takes his career seriously. He writes his own
lyrics, is involved in production, and thinks through every detail of his
releases. His perfectionism and vision have brought him to where he is now:
at the top of the international music world.
The Weeknd is not just a pop star. He’s a storyteller, a visionary, and an
artist who follows his own path. From “House of Balloons” to “Dawn FM,” his
journey is one of growth, experimentation, and emotion. He continues to
surprise, move, and inspire. And while he keeps pushing boundaries, one thing
remains certain: his music touches people deeply, and his voice continues to
echo like no other. |
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