The Weeknd - HH22

The Weeknd (real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his unique blend of R&B, pop, and alternative sounds, as well as his haunting, emotionally raw lyrics and atmospheric production.

Quick Facts:

• Born: February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Canada

• Origin: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

• Genres: R&B, pop, alternative R&B, synth-pop

• Active since: 2010

• Label: XO (his own imprint), Republic Records

Career Highlights:

• Breakthrough (2010–2012): Gained initial fame by anonymously uploading mixtapes like House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence to YouTube. These helped pioneer the alternative R&B movement.

• Major Albums:

  • Kiss Land (2013) – darker and more experimental

  • Beauty Behind the Madness (2015) – mainstream breakthrough with hits like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills”

  • Starboy (2016) – featured Daft Punk and showcased a futuristic, pop-oriented sound

  • After Hours (2020) – cinematic, 80s synth-heavy project with massive hit “Blinding Lights”

  • Dawn FM (2022) – a concept album with a retro-futuristic, radio-broadcast theme

Notable Songs:

• “Blinding Lights” – record-breaking chart success

• “Starboy” (feat. Daft Punk)

• “Save Your Tears”

• “The Hills”

• “Can’t Feel My Face”

• “Earned It” – from Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack

Artistic Style:

• Vocals: Ethereal, falsetto-heavy singing style

• Themes: Heartbreak, excess, loneliness, fame, addiction

• Visuals: Often uses cinematic and mysterious imagery, drawing on horror and retro aesthetics

Achievements:

• Multiple Grammy Awards

• Headlined the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show (2021)

• One of the most streamed artists of all time on platforms like Spotify

• Known for maintaining a strong creative control over his projects