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The Weeknd Career Highlights

The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Canada, has emerged as one of the most influential and genre-defying artists of the 21st century. His career trajectory—from anonymous mixtape releases to headlining the Super Bowl halftime show—illustrates a unique blend of mystery, innovation, and global appeal.

The Weeknd began his career by uploading songs to YouTube under the alias “The Weeknd” in 2010. In 2011, he released a trilogy of critically acclaimed mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. These projects, noted for their atmospheric production and raw emotional content, quickly garnered attention in the underground music scene. His haunting falsetto and fusion of R&B, pop, and electronic sounds distinguished him from his contemporaries.

His work caught the attention of Drake, leading to a collaboration on Drake’s Take Care album and opening slots on tour—helping catapult The Weeknd into the mainstream.

In 2013, The Weeknd signed with Republic Records and released his debut studio album, Kiss Land. While it received mixed reviews, it laid the groundwork for his massive commercial success.

His 2015 follow-up, Beauty Behind the Madness, marked a turning point. The album included hits like “Can’t Feel My Face,” “The Hills,” and “Earned It” (from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack), earning him multiple Grammy Awards and solidifying his place in pop culture. He fused his dark R&B roots with catchy pop hooks, making his sound more accessible without losing its edge.

In 2016, The Weeknd released Starboy, a sleek, futuristic album produced in part by Daft Punk. The title track topped charts worldwide, and the album won the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album. The project signaled a more stylized, cinematic approach to his music and image.

Over the next few years, The Weeknd released the My Dear Melancholy, EP and collaborated with artists such as Kendrick Lamar (“Pray For Me”), Lana Del Rey, and Travis Scott, demonstrating his versatility across genres.

The release of After Hours in 2020 marked another creative peak. Featuring hits like “Blinding Lights,” “Heartless,” and “Save Your Tears,” the album combined retro synth-pop with modern R&B. “Blinding Lights” broke records, becoming the longest-charting song in Billboard Hot 100 history.

Despite its success, The Weeknd was controversially snubbed by the Grammy Awards, prompting widespread industry backlash and a public vow from the artist to boycott the ceremony moving forward.

He reached a new level of fame with his electrifying performance at the Super Bowl LV halftime show in 2021, watched by over 100 million viewers. The show was praised for its artistic vision and theatrical execution.

In 2022, The Weeknd released Dawn FM, a concept album styled as a fictional radio station hosted by actor Jim Carrey. It explored themes of purgatory, aging, and acceptance, with a rich 1980s aesthetic. The album received critical acclaim and cemented his role as a conceptual storyteller.

Beyond music, The Weeknd has ventured into acting and production. In 2023, he starred in and co-created HBO’s The Idol, further demonstrating his multimedia ambitions, though the series received mixed reviews.

The Weeknd's impact on music is profound. He helped redefine the sound of R&B and pop with his moody, cinematic style. His influence is evident in a new generation of artists who blur genre lines and embrace vulnerability.

With over 100 million monthly Spotify listeners at various points—one of the most-streamed artists globally—and multiple awards and records, The Weeknd has solidified his place in music history.

Whether through his haunting ballads or genre-pushing albums, The Weeknd continues to evolve and challenge conventions—an enigmatic force reshaping the sound of modern pop and R&B.