the weeknd

About the weeknd

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer. He is recognized for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism, with music that explores escapism, romance, and melancholia. Raised in Toronto, Tesfaye began releasing music anonymously on YouTube in 2009. His debut mixtapes — House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence — garnered critical acclaim and built a cult following. His 2015 album Beauty Behind the Madness catapulted him to global stardom, featuring the hits "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills." The Weeknd's 2020 album After Hours produced the record-breaking single "Blinding Lights," which became the longest-charting song in Billboard Hot 100 history. With over 75 million records sold, multiple Grammy Awards, and an Academy Award nomination, the Weeknd has established himself as one of the most successful and influential artists of his generation. His musical style seamlessly blends R&B, pop, synth-pop, and new wave influences.