The Weeknd
The Weeknd 
| |
| |
| Birth name | Abel Makkonen Tesfaye |
| Born | February 16, 1990 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Genres | R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, Alternative R&B |
| Labels | XO, Republic |
| @theweeknd | |
The Weeknd (born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor known for his sonic versatility, signature falsetto voice, and genre-bending music. He rose to fame with his mixtapes on YouTube in 2010 before releasing his debut album, Kiss Land, in 2013.
He gained global stardom with hits like Can’t Feel My Face, Blinding Lights, and Starboy. Blinding Lights became one of the most streamed songs of all time and broke numerous Billboard records.
Tesfaye is the recipient of numerous accolades including:
- 4 Grammy Awards
- 20 Billboard Music Awards
- Multiple Juno Awards
- 1 American Music Award
He also headlined the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show in 2021 and has acted in films including Uncut Gems.
Early Life
Abel Tesfaye was born in Toronto, to Ethiopian immigrant parents. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in the district of Scarborough. His music reflects influences from Michael Jackson, Prince, and R. Kelly.
Discography Highlights
- Kiss Land (2013)
- Beauty Behind the Madness (2015)
- Starboy (2016)
- After Hours (2020)
- Dawn FM (2022)
Filmography
- Uncut Gems (2019)
- The Idol (2023)
Philanthropy
The Weeknd is known for his philanthropic work, donating millions to causes such as Black Lives Matter, Ethiopian relief funds, and global hunger programs. In 2021, he was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.