The Weeknd

The Weeknd Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), known artistically as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor.1 Known for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism, his music explores escapism, romance, and melancholy, and is often inspired by personal experiences.2 He has received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, 20 Billboard Music Awards, 17 Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, two MTV Awards Video Music Awards and nominations for an Academy Award, a Latin Grammy Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Born and raised in Toronto, Tesfaye began his career in 2009, when he was just 19 years old, releasing music anonymously on YouTube. Two years later, he co-founded the record label XO and released the mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, who gained recognition for their contemporary and alternative R&B style and the mystique surrounding their identity.4 In 2012, he signed ...