Yash Sharma: The Weeknd

2026-05-10T17:41:00Z

The Weeknd

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{{SHORTDESC:Canadian singer-songwriter (born 1990)}} {{#seo:|title=The Weeknd Biography – Canadian Singer|title_mode=append|keywords=The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye, The Weeknd Biography, Blinding Lights, Starboy album, Canadian singer, After Hours|description=The Weeknd is a Canadian singer known for Blinding Lights, Starboy, and After Hours. He is one of the most influential artists in modern music.|image=The Weeknd.png|image_alt=The Weeknd portrait}}
{| class="infobox" style="width:22em; font-size:90%; text-align:left; border-spacing:0px; background-color:#f9f9f9; border:1px solid #aaa; float:right; margin-left:1em;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size:larger; padding:5px 0;" |'''The Weeknd'''
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; padding:0;" |[[File:The Weeknd.png|alt=The Weeknd|411x411px]]
|-
| style="width:35%; padding:5px;" |'''Born'''
| style="width:65%; padding:5px;" |February 16, 1990
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Birth name'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Nationality'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Canadian
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Occupation'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Years active'''
| style="padding:5px;" |2009–present
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Genres'''
| style="padding:5px;" |R&B, pop, alternative R&B
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Labels'''
| style="padding:5px;" |XO, Republic Records
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Known for'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Blinding Lights, Starboy, The Hills, Save Your Tears, After Hours
|}
'''Abel Makkonen Tesfaye''' (born February 16, 1990), known professionally as '''The Weeknd''', is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is known for his tenor vocal range, use of falsetto, and a dark, cinematic style in his music.

He began releasing music anonymously in 2009. In 2011, he released three mixtapes: ''House of Balloons'', ''Thursday'', and ''Echoes of Silence''. These projects helped define the alternative R&B sound. He later signed with Republic Records and released the compilation album ''Trilogy'' (2012).

His debut studio album ''Kiss Land'' (2013) reached the top ten in the United States. He gained global success with ''Beauty Behind the Madness'' (2015) and ''Starboy'' (2016). These albums produced hit songs such as ''Can't Feel My Face'', ''The Hills'', ''Starboy'', and ''Die for You''.<ref>https://www.boredpanda.com/the-weeknd-bio-and-career-highlights/</ref>

In 2020, he released ''After Hours'', which included ''Blinding Lights''. The song became the best-performing track in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. He followed this with ''Dawn FM'' (2022) and ''Hurry Up Tomorrow'' (2025).

The Weeknd is one of the best-selling music artists, with over 75 million records sold. He has won multiple awards, including Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and American Music Awards.

== Early life ==
Abel Tesfaye was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario. He is the only child of Ethiopian immigrant parents.

He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He grew up speaking Amharic and also learned French in school.

As a teenager, he left school and lived with friends. During this period, he faced financial struggles and experimented with music production.<ref>https://www.biography.com/musicians/the-weeknd</ref>

== Career ==

=== 2009–2012: Early work and ''Trilogy'' ===
Tesfaye started uploading songs to YouTube in 2009. His identity was not known at first.

In 2011, he released three mixtapes: ''House of Balloons'', ''Thursday'', and ''Echoes of Silence''. These gained critical attention and built his early fan base.

In 2012, he released ''Trilogy'', which compiled the mixtapes with remastered tracks.<ref>https://www.pulse.ng/story/the-weeknd-net-worth-2025121808513030738</ref>

=== 2013–2016: Breakthrough success ===
His first studio album ''Kiss Land'' (2013) expanded his audience.

He achieved major success with ''Beauty Behind the Madness'' (2015). Songs like ''The Hills'' and ''Can't Feel My Face'' reached number one.

His next album ''Starboy'' (2016) also topped charts and included global hits.

=== 2018–2022: Continued growth ===
He released the EP ''My Dear Melancholy'' (2018), which returned to his darker sound.

In 2020, ''After Hours'' became one of his most successful albums. The single ''Blinding Lights'' broke streaming and chart records.

He followed this with ''Dawn FM'' (2022), which explored new wave and synth-based sounds.

=== 2023–present ===
Tesfaye co-created and starred in the TV series ''The Idol'' (2023).

In 2025, he released ''Hurry Up Tomorrow'', which debuted at number one. He also acted in a film of the same name.

== Artistry ==
The Weeknd's music blends R&B, pop, and electronic styles. His work often features themes of love, fame, and isolation.

His sound is influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince. His music videos are known for strong visual storytelling.

== Personal life ==
Tesfaye keeps his personal life private. He has been in relationships with public figures but avoids frequent media attention.

He has spoken about his past struggles and growth over time.<ref>https://borgenproject.org/the-weeknds-charitable-work/</ref>

== Health ==
Tesfaye has discussed mental health challenges and lifestyle changes. In recent years, he has reduced substance use.

== Discography ==
2012 – ''Trilogy'' 2013 – ''Kiss Land'' 2015 – ''Beauty Behind the Madness'' 2016 – ''Starboy'' 2018 – ''My Dear Melancholy'' 2020 – ''After Hours'' 2022 – ''Dawn FM'' 2025 – ''Hurry Up Tomorrow''

== Awards and nominations ==
- Grammy Awards – Multiple wins - Billboard Music Awards – Multiple wins - American Music Awards – Multiple wins - MTV Video Music Awards – Multiple wins - Juno Awards – Multiple wins

== References ==
{{reflist}}

The Weeknd - Revision history

Yash Sharma: The Weeknd