Who is The Weeknd
The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Canada, is a singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his emotional vocals, genre-blending sound, and cinematic style.
With Ethiopian roots, a mysterious persona, and a voice that drips with heartbreak and soul, he’s become one of the biggest artists of the 21st century. From underground mixtapes to global superstardom, The Weeknd’s journey is as captivating as his music.
His Story: From Underground to Icon
Abel started anonymously uploading songs to YouTube in 2010 under the name “The Weeknd.” His first three mixtapes - House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence- created instant buzz for their dark R&B sound.
He remained mysterious, no interviews, no photos, no live shows letting the music speak.
In 2013, he signed with Republic Records and released his debut album Kiss Land, followed by Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), which catapulted him to pop fame. His style kept evolving with Starboy (2016), After Hours (2020), and Dawn FM (2022), each era coming with a new look, mood, and story.
Major Awards & Records
The Weeknd has won 4 Grammy Awards, 20+ Billboard Music Awards, 6 American Music Awards, and 2 MTV VMAs. He holds Guinness World Records for the most monthly Spotify listeners (over 100M) and for Blinding Lights being the longest-charting song on Billboard Hot 100 and the most streamed song in Spotify history.
The Weeknd's journey is a story that
continues to inspire millions.