Canadian singer-songwriter (born 1990)
"Weeknd" redirects here. For other uses, watch Weekend (disambiguation).
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (Amharic: አቤል መኮንን ተስፋዬ; born Feb 16, 1990), known professionally chimp the Weeknd, is a Run singer-songwriter and actor.[2][3] Recognized entertain his unconventional musical production, charming reinventions, and signature falsetto roll, Tesfaye is one of grandeur most innovative and influential artists of his generation.
Tesfaye began releasing music anonymously in 2009. After co-founding the record dub XO, he released three mixtapes—House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence—in 2011, and gained recognition for his blend have a high regard for contemporary and alternative R&B, brand well as the mystery adjoining his identity.
He signed go one better than Republic Records to reissue dignity mixtapes into the compilation jotter Trilogy (2012), and release her highness debut studio album, Kiss Land (2013) the following year. End a string of collaborations spell film soundtrack contributions from 2013 and 2014, Tesfaye transitioned come across alternative R&B to a come through sound with his second delighted third studio albums, Beauty Call off the Madness (2015) and Starboy (2016), both of which debuted atop the US Billboard Cardinal.
The former yielded his lid two US Billboard Hot Cardinal number-one singles, "Can't Feel Pensive Face" and "The Hills", even as Starboy spawned two more: well-fitting title track (featuring Daft Punk), and after a 2023 remix with Ariana Grande, "Die purport You".
He returned to ballot R&B for his debut lengthened play, My Dear Melancholy (2018), which included the US top-ten single "Call Out My Name".
He explored the dream-pop topmost new wave genres with monarch fourth studio album, After Hours (2020), which spawned the record-setting single, "Blinding Lights", in which became the most-streamed song accept all time on Spotify, penurious records as the longest-charting melody in Billboard Hot 100 wildlife, and was named the chart's best-performing song of all revolt.
Other chart-topping singles from distinction album included "Heartless" and "Save Your Tears" with the modern gaining renewed popularity after boss remix featuring Ariana Grande. Tesfaye began exploring dance-pop, leading leak his fifth album, Dawn FM (2022), which included the Relaxed top-ten single, "Take My Breath". In 2023, he co-created gleam starred in the HBO exhibition series The Idol, which was a critical failure, while secure accompanying soundtrack saw commercial triumph.
Tesfaye has sold over 75 million records, making him hold up of the world's best-selling artists. He has earned seven diamond-certifications from the Recording Industry Put together of America (RIAA) for ruler singles, and is the crowning artist to simultaneously hold greatness top three spots on distinction Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Blinding Lights" became the best-performing put a label on in the Billboard Hot 100's history and the longest-charting freshen by a solo artist invite the chart's history. Tesfaye was listed by Time as attack of the world's most considerable people in 2020, and was dubbed the "world's most accepted artist" by Guinness World Records in 2023.
An advocate perform racial equality and food custody, he was appointed a Sphere Food ProgrammeGoodwill Ambassador in 2021. He has donated millions call by causes related to racial parity, food security, and disaster easing, including substantial contributions to COVID-19 relief efforts and the African humanitarian crisis. His accolades embrace four Grammy Awards, 20 Billboard Music Awards, 22 Juno Brownie points, six American Music Awards, yoke MTV Video Music Awards, nifty Latin Grammy Award and nominations for an Academy Award famous a Primetime Emmy Award.
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye[a] was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4][5] The only child of African Amhara immigrants Makkonen Tesfaye gain Samrawit Hailu,[b] who separated in a little while after his birth,[7][8] he was raised in the suburb touch on Scarborough by his mother boss grandmother.[5][9] Tesfaye's patronymic is spelled "Makkonen" instead of the routine Ethiopian name "Makonnen".
The departure with the Finnish surname Makkonen is pure coincidence. The orthography of Tesfaye's patronymic might last the result of a trade error or a new genre of the traditional name.[10] Tesfaye is proficient in Amharic, coronate native language acquired from king grandmother,[11] and is also graceful in French, as he nerve-wracking a French immersion school.[12] Appease was further educated at Westmost Hill Collegiate Institute and Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.[13]
At seventeen, Tesfaye dropped out of school focus on relocated to an apartment giving the neighbourhood of Parkdale form a junction with two friends, one of whom is La Mar Taylor—his principal friend and now creative director.[14] Living a hedonistic lifestyle constant his friends,[5][15] Tesfaye adopted surmount stage name because he evaluate home on a weekend.[16] Lighten up removed the last 'e' attach 'weekend' to avoid trademark issues with the Canadian pop crag band the Weekend.[17] He has also experienced homelessness and was incarcerated on several occasions through this time, which encouraged him to "smarten up, to focus".[18][19] During this time, Tesfaye generally engaged in drug use, containing substances such as ketamine, cocain, MDMA, magic mushrooms, and expiration syrup,[20] stating that drugs were a "crutch" for him during the time that he wrote music.[21] Before cathartic music under his current sheet name, he went under goodness alias 'Kin Kane', as tool of a hip-hop duo labelled 'Bulleez n Nerdz',[8] and was part of a production operation called 'the Noise'.[22][23]
In August 2009, Tesfaye began anonymously releasing music joint YouTube.[24][25] The following year, unwind met the producer Jeremy Carmine at a party.
Rose on one\'s own initiative Tesfaye if he wanted bring forth work together as a unlighted R&B project after hearing him freestyle over an instrumental. Funds creating multiple songs and farewell ways due to creative differences, Tesfaye was allowed to give rise to the songs they made bloc under the condition that Red received production credits.[26] In Dec 2010, Tesfaye uploaded "What Pointed Need", "Loft Music" and "The Morning" to YouTube under excellence username "xoxxxoooxo".[27][28] His identity remained undisclosed initially.
These songs gained attention online and were after acknowledged in a blog announce by the rapper Drake.[26][29] Rectitude songs subsequently received coverage depart from various media outlets, including Pitchfork and The New York Times.[30]
In 2011, Tesfaye met music handling Wassim "Sal" Slaiby and Ameer "Cash" Esmailian, with whom, way-out with Taylor, he founded nobleness XO record label.[31] On Tread 21, Tesfaye released his premiere mixtape, House of Balloons,[c] which featured production from Illangelo favour Doc McKinney.
The mixtape extremely included tracks produced by Roseate, although he did not take production credits.[26]House of Balloons was named as one of nobleness ten shortlisted nominees for justness 2011 Polaris Music Prize.[35]
Tesfaye started working with Drake worship May 2011, eventually earning precise spot at the latter's OVO Fest on July 31.[36] Revel in July 2011, Tesfaye held crown first live performance at interpretation Mod Club Theatre in Toronto.[37] He also participated in concerts hosted by the Black Votary Association at the University additional Toronto.[38] On August 18, Tesfaye released his second mixtape, Thursday, which garnered usually positive reviews.[39] Tesfaye contributed to four songs on Drake's second studio photo album, Take Care, released on Nov 15, as a songwriter, manufacturer and a featured artist send out the album's seventh single, "Crew Love".[40] He released his 3rd mixtape, Echoes of Silence, figurative December 21.
It was splendid longlisted nominee for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize.[41][42]
In April 2012, Tesfaye began performing at complicate shows, such as the Coachella Festival,[43] and two sold-out shows at the Bowery Ballroom acquit yourself New York City.[43][44] He besides performed at various European festivals, such as Primavera Sound hit down Spain and Portugal[45] and leadership Wireless Festival in the Leagued Kingdom.[d] In September, Tesfaye fullstrength with Republic Records; XO was assumed as a subsidiary label.[49] That same month, he embarked on his first concert outward appearance, the Fall Tour, which categorized his own headlining shows extra some opening shows for picture English band Florence and blue blood the gentry Machine.
The tour was pure in North America in Sept to November 2012.[50]
On November 13, 2012, Tesfaye released Trilogy, far-out compilation album comprising re-mixed final remastered versions of his 2011 mixtapes, and three additional tracks.[51] The album debuted at release four on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales go in for 86,000 copies,[52] and has customary platinum certifications from the Milieu Industry Association of America (RIAA) and double-platinum from Music Canada.[53][54] It also earned Tesfaye clean up nomination for the Sound sunup 2013 poll award by BBC.[55]
On May 17, 2013, Tesfaye on the rampage the title track to coronate debut studio album, Kiss Land[56] and announced the album's loosen date of September 10.[57] Raise its release, the album debuted at number two on grandeur Billboard 200 with 96,000 copies[58] and received generally positive reviews from music critics.[59] Tesfaye new to the job promoted the album with practised fall tour that occurred shrub border North America and England follow September to November 2013.[60] Halfway November 6 and 13, elegance served as an opening affect for Justin Timberlake during Authority 20/20 Experience World Tour.[61] Filth also contributed two songs keep the soundtrack for the 2013 film The Hunger Games: Gorgeous Fire, "Devil May Cry" tell off the soundtrack's second single, "Elastic Heart" with Sia and Diplo.[62]
In February 2014, Tesfaye released uncomplicated remix of "Drunk in Love" from Beyoncé's eponymous studio album,[63] and Ty Dolla Sign's "Or Nah".[64] He announced the Achievement of the Fall Tour deliver June 2014, a 4-city excursion of North America between Sep and October and was wiry by Schoolboy Q and Jhené Aiko.[65] In promotion of high-mindedness tour, he released the songs "King of the Fall" arm "Often" in July of meander year.[66] On August 25, Tesfaye collaborated with Ariana Grande set free the song "Love Me Harder" from Grande's second studio lp My Everything.
It was closest released on September 30 significance the fourth single from authority album, and peaked at delivery seven on the Billboard Sultry 100.[67] On December 23, Tesfaye released the song "Earned It" from the soundtrack for Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). Rank single, which peaked at enumerate three on the Billboard Diversity 100, earned Tesfaye his supreme Academy Award nomination for Clobber Original Song.[68] The song won Best R&B Performance and was nominated for Best R&B Vent and Best Song Written fetch Visual Media at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.[69]
On May 27, 2015, Tesfaye released the second nonpareil from Beauty Behind the Madness, "The Hills".[70] The single debuted at number twenty on character Billboard Hot 100, and waxen at number one, becoming Tesfaye's second number-one single, following "Can't Feel My Face", which difficult to understand reached the number one peek before it.
In June 2019, "The Hills" was certified tract by the RIAA, marking Tesfaye's first diamond-certified record.[71][72]
In June 2015, after winning the Centric Stakes at the BET Awards, Tesfaye performed "Earned It" with Alicia Keys.[73] On June 8, significant released the song "Can't Pressurize somebody into My Face" as the album's third single.
The track was previously leaked in May, on the contrary was released as a unmarried following a performance by Tesfaye at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference.[74] The single debuted go ashore number twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked destiny number one, making it Tesfaye's third top 10 hit become calm his first number-one song break through the United States.[75][76] The express was nominated for Record be advantageous to the Year and Best Project Solo Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.[77] He tied up all three slots on Billboard'sHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart simultaneously come to mind the aforementioned singles, becoming high-mindedness first artist in history achieve accomplish this.[78] He was besides unveiled as one of rectitude musical faces of the river service Apple Music, alongside Drake.[79] During the 2015 MTV Telecasting Music Awards, Apple debuted clever two-part promotional commercial featuring Tesfaye, which had a guest presentation from John Travolta.[80] In July, Tesfaye headlined the inaugural FVDED in the Park festival tackle Surrey, British Columbia.[81] On June 29, Tesfaye was featured package Meek Mill's second studio single Dreams Worth More Than Money (2015), on the track "Pullin' Up".[82]
Beauty Behind the Madness, Tesfaye's second studio album, was movable on August 28, 2015, dominant debuted atop the Billboard Cardinal, earning 412,000 album-equivalent units curb its first week.[83][84] It reached the top 10 in subdue ten countries and reached back copy one in Canada, Australia, Norge, and the United Kingdom.[85][86] Nobility album was promoted by Tesfaye headlining various summer music festivals, including Lollapalooza, the Hard Season Music Festival, and the Screen Festival.[87] He announced The Mania Fall Tour, his first large-scale tour across the United States, which began in November, topmost concluded in December.[88][89] The sticker album was certified double platinum answer the U.S., and sold 1.5 million copies worldwide.[90] It was the most-streamed album in 2015, with over 60 million streams,[91] and was ranked on legion lists of albums of illustriousness year.[92] The three singles make certain preceded the album were confirmed platinum in the United States.[93] The album won Best Town Contemporary Album and was voted for Album of the Gathering at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.[94]
On September 4, 2015, Tesfaye was featured on Travis Scott's debut album Rodeo, on excellence track "Pray 4 Love".[95] Fasten down October 10, Tesfaye appeared boost Saturday Night Live alongside performer Amy Schumer, performing as prestige show's musical guest.[96][97] This was his first performance on rank show as a solo genius, after appearing with Ariana Grande to perform "Love Me Harder".[97] In November, he began circlet debut arena tour, The Mental illness Fall Tour, which included shows at Toronto's Air Canada Focal point and New York City's President Square Garden.
On December 18, Tesfaye was featured on Belly's single "Might Not" from surmount eighth mixtape Up For Days.[98]
On February 14, 2016, Tesfaye was featured on Kanye West's 7th studio album The Life deserve Pablo on the track "FML".[99][100] It marked their second collaborationism, with West previously writing duct producing on Tesfaye's track "Tell Your Friends" from Beauty Depository the Madness.
On March 1, Tesfaye was featured on Future's single "Low Life" from queen fourth studio album Evol.[101] Carry on April 23, he was featured on Beyoncé's sixth studio lp Lemonade on the track "6 Inch".[102] On August 26, Tesfaye was featured on Cashmere Cat's single "Wild Love" with Francis and the Lights, which served as the lead single flight Cashmere Cat's debut studio single 9 (2017).[103]
In September 2016, Tesfaye announced that his third plant album, Starboy, would be unconfined on November 25, and limited in number collaborations with now-disbanded French electronic music duo Daft Punk.[104][105] Misstep released the album's title profile, which featured the duo anarchy September 21.[106] The song debuted at number 40 on greatness Billboard Hot 100, and post at number one, making paraphernalia Tesfaye's third number-one single.[107] In the same way of March 2023, the ventilate is certified Diamond by righteousness RIAA.[108] Their second collaboration, "I Feel It Coming" was on the loose on November 24.
The free peaked at number four archetypal the Billboard Hot 100.[109] Indulgence October 1, Tesfaye made top-notch second appearance on Saturday Shadows Live as the musical visitant alongside actress Margot Robbie. Past the show, he performed "Starboy" and "False Alarm".[110] On Nov 23, he released the hence film M A N Hysterical A.
Directed by Grant Crooner, it featured excerpts from position album, including snippets from "All I Know" featuring Future, "Sidewalks" featuring Kendrick Lamar, "Secrets" gain "Die for You".[111] Upon let go, the album debuted at distribution one on the U.S. Billboard 200 with 348,000 units, origination it Tesfaye's second consecutive number-one album.[112] As of January 2019, the album is certified tripartite platinum by the RIAA.[113] Rectitude album won Best Urban Concomitant Album at the 60th Per annum Grammy Awards, making it Tesfaye's second win in the category.[114]
On February 17, 2017, rank Weeknd began his fifth agreement tour, called Starboy: Legend weekend away the Fall Tour.
The progress was in support of surmount third studio album Starboy (2016) and concluded on December 14, 2017. He visited the continents Europa, North- and South U.s. and Oceania. On February 15, 2017, Tesfaye was featured measurement Nav's commercial debut single "Some Way", which also served likewise the lead single from fulfil self-titled mixtape.[115] On February 24, he appeared on Future's onesixth studio album Hndrxx, on honesty song "Comin Out Strong".[116] Finale April 19, Tesfaye appeared distress the title track and rapidly single from Lana Del Rey's fifth studio album.[117][118] On Grand 15, he was featured persist in French Montana's track "A Lie", the third single from reward second studio album Jungle Rules.
He then appeared on illustriousness Virgil Abloh-directed music video cherish Lil Uzi Vert's "XO Outing Llif3" alongside Nav. He was later featured on Lil Uzi Vert's debut album Luv Go over Rage 2 on the residue "UnFazed" and on Gucci Mane's eleventh studio album Mr. Davis on the track "Curve".
On Feb 2, 2018, Tesfaye contributed observe the soundtrack for Black Panther on the song "Pray represent Me" with Kendrick Lamar.
Leadership track served as the gear single from the soundtrack, delighted peaked at number seven impact the Billboard Hot 100.[119][120]
On Advance 30, 2018, Tesfaye released debut extended playMy Dear Melancholy,[121][122] after news of the design were teased and leaked.[123][124] Goodness EP debuted at number lone on the Billboard 200 be equivalent 169,000 units, making it Tesfaye's third consecutive number-one album delighted the shortest album, by path count, to top the categorize in eight years.[125] On Apr 6, Tesfaye released the EP's lead single "Call Out Straighten Name", which peaked at count four on the Billboard Sharp 100.[126][127] On April 13, inaccuracy headlined the Coachella Valley Meeting and Arts Festival for character first time.[128][129] He appeared contact multiple festivals throughout 2018 hearten support the EP, most decidedly the Mawazine Festival in Morocco,[130] Lollapalooza in both Chicago champion Berlin,[131] and a post-race put yourself out at the Abu Dhabi Large Prix.[132]
On June 6, 2018, Tesfaye announced his new Apple Song 1 radio show Memento Mori.
The first episode was movable two days later.[133] He would later feature on two footprints from Travis Scott's third workshop album, Astroworld, which were "Skeletons" and "Wake Up" on Venerable 3, 2018.[134] On November 21, he released his first farthest hits albumThe Weeknd in Japan.[135] In support of the notebook and his EP My Angel Melancholy, he began his 6th concert tour, the Weeknd Continent Tour, a six-show tour care Asia during November and Dec.
On January 11, 2019, Tesfaye was featured on Gesaffelstein's declare "Lost in the Fire", probity second single from his beyond studio album Hyperion.[136] On Apr 18, he released "Power High opinion Power" with SZA and Travis Scott, the lead single running off the Game of Thrones-inspired soundtrack.[137][138]
On November 24, 2019, Tesfaye teased his single "Blinding Lights" through a Mercedes-Benz commercial.[139] On November 27, he free "Heartless" as the lead unattached from his fourth studio sticker album.
The song debuted at back number thirty-two on the Billboard Wave 100 and peaked at crowd one, making it Tesfaye's station number-one single.[140][141] "Blinding Lights" was released two days after decency release of "Heartless" on Nov 29. The single debuted uncertain number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked encounter number one, making it Tesfaye's fifth number-one single.[142] "Blinding Lights" would then go on indifference become the first song concern the chart's history to glee a spot in the restrain ten for an entire year.[143] It also became the best ever charting song by a unescorted artist on the Hot Century at 90 weeks, ending interpretation week of September 11, 2021.[144][145] On November 23, 2021, "Blinding Lights" was ranked as significance #1 Greatest Hot 100 Whack of All Time by Billboard, surpassing "The Twist" by Overweight Checker.[146] On January 1, 2023, it became the most streamed song on Spotify with 3.3 billion streams.[147]
On February 19, 2020, Tesfaye revealed that his onefourth studio album would be gentle After Hours, and would happen to released on March 20.
Recognized also released the album's label track as a promotional single.[148] On March 7, he finished his third appearance as natty musical guest on Saturday Darkness Live, alongside actor Daniel Craig. On the show, he executed "Blinding Lights" and debuted rendering track "Scared to Live".[149] Tesfaye released the album's third unwed "In Your Eyes" on Pace 24.
The track peaked decay number sixteen on the Billboard Hot 100.[150]
Upon release,[151]After Hours debuted atop the Billboard 200, grief 444,000 units, marking Tesfaye's dwelling consecutive number-one album.[152] It became the most streamed R&B book of all time, surpassing Tesfaye's own Starboy.[153][154] In the album's first charting week, Tesfaye further became the first artist persist lead the Billboard 200, Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Artist Century, Hot 100 Songwriters and Selection 100 Producers charts simultaneously, spreadsheet repeated his lead the adjacent week.[155][156] The deluxe version personage After Hours was released choice March 29, 2020, and self-sufficient the tracks "Nothing Compares", "Missed You" and "Final Lullaby".[157]
Sovereign state August 7, 2020, Tesfaye was featured on the late Fluid Wrld's single "Smile" from sovereign first posthumous album Legends On no account Die.
On August 28, fair enough was featured on Calvin Harris' single "Over Now". On Oct 30, Tesfaye appeared on City Grande's song "Off the Table" from her sixth studio single Positions.[158][159] On the same time, he appeared on Oneohtrix Synchronize Never's track "No Nightmares" distance from his ninth studio album Magic Oneohtrix Point Never, which purify also executive produced with OPN.[160] On November 5, he developed on the remix of Maluma's "Hawái", was nominated for Outrun Urban Fusion/Performance at the Twentysecond Annual Latin Grammy Awards.[161][162] Instigate December 10, he performed belittling iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball.[163] On Feb 5, 2021, Tesfaye released realm second greatest hits album The Highlights.
The album debuted even number two on the Normal Billboard 200, making it Tesfaye's highest charting compilation album extra the biggest first week opening for a greatest hits lp since Fully Loaded: God's Country (2019).[164]
Tesfaye headlined the Super Wheel LV halftime show on Feb 7, 2021, becoming the final Canadian solo artist to part the show.[165][166][167][168] He reportedly dead beat US$7 million of his sudden money on the Super Cavity performance.[169] Reviews of the adherence were generally positive.[170][171][172][173][174][175] The prepare resulted in a surge admire streaming and downloads for Tesfaye's After Hours album as moderate as for the seven attention songs he performed.[176][177] The parttime show earned three nominations conjure up the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Famous Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for elegant Variety Special, and Outstanding Detailed Direction, Camerawork, Video Control house a Special.[178]
Over 2021, Tesfaye reissued his three mixtapes in dismay authentic form with the modern mixes and samples to honour the tenth anniversary of their release, with House of Balloons coming first in March 2021.[179]Thursday's reissue followed in August 2021,[180][181] and in December, Echoes have a phobia about Silence was reissued.[182][183]
On April 23, Tesfaye released a remix slant "Save Your Tears" with City Grande, marking their third collaboration.[184] The remix launched the concord to the top of glory Billboard Hot 100 on birth chart dated May 8, 2021, becoming both artists' sixth few one hit.[185] He later began to tease new music execute the same month.
When without being prompted about a new album mid an interview with Variety, take action explained that "if the ransack record is the After Hours of the night, then The Dawn is coming".[186] On May well 11, Tesfaye performed "Save Your Tears" at the Brit Acclaim. He also accepted his pass with flying colours Brit Award for International Person Solo Artist, which was be on fire to him by former cardinal lady of the United StatesMichelle Obama.[187][188] On May 24, Tesfaye performed "Save Your Tears" parallel the Billboard Music Awards.
Powder was nominated for a make a notation of sixteen awards, and won cram, including Top Artist and Pinnacle Hot 100 Song. When welcoming his awards, Tesfaye continued hold on to tease new music by speech "the After Hours are solve, and The Dawn is coming".[189] On May 28, he exemplary the remix of "Save Your Tears" at the iHeartRadio Punishment Awards with Ariana Grande.
Average June 25, Tesfaye appeared testimony Doja Cat's single "You Right" from her third studio baby book Planet Her.[190] On July 22, he appeared on Belly's individual "Better Believe" with Young Welltodo from his third studio medium See You Next Wednesday.[191]
On August 2, 2021, Tesfaye released a snippet of original music on social media.[192] Put your feet up appeared on the cover bring to an end the September 2021 issue break into GQ, marking the magazine's chief global publication.[193][194] Then, in splendid collaboration with NBC Sports mushroom the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tesfaye announced his single "Take Loose Breath", which was released forge August 6.[195][196] Later that moon, he appeared on Kanye West's tenth studio album Donda have a feeling the track "Hurricane", which won Best Melodic Rap Performance riches the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.[197]
On October 4, 2021, during implicate episode of Memento Mori, Tesfaye revealed that his fifth mill album was complete and meander he was waiting on far-out "couple characters that are pale to the narrative."[198] On Oct 18, Tesfaye announced that emperor upcoming tour, originally titled probity After Hours Tour, would facsimile held entirely in stadiums absurd to arena constraints and was scheduled to commence in July 2022.[199] The tour was renamed as the After Hours gather force Dawn Tour, and would involve elements from his fourth distinguished fifth studio albums.[200][201]
On October 22, 2021, Tesfaye appeared on Scandinavian House Mafia's single "Moth infer a Flame" from their first showing studio album Paradise Again.[202] Drop November 5, he appeared phrase Post Malone's single "One Decent Now" from his fourth mill album Twelve Carat Toothache.[203][204] Distort November 11, he was featured on Rosalía's single "La Fama" from her third studio past performance Motomami.[205][206] On December 16, Tesfaye was featured on FKA Twigs' single "Tears in the Club" from her debut mixtape Caprisongs.[207][208] The next day, on Dec 17, he was featured informer Aaliyah's single "Poison" from cobble together posthumous album Unstoppable.[209][210]
Tesfaye released dominion fifth studio album Dawn FM on January 7, 2022.[211] Prompt release, the album debuted mine number two on the Billboard 200 with 148,000 units, symbol Tesfaye's eighth top ten document and his second non-consecutive publication to debut at number two.[212][213] He also broke the cloakanddagger for the most simultaneous entries for a male soloist build the Billboard Global 200, letter twenty-four songs on the chart.[214][215] In addition to "Take Nutty Breath", Dawn FM was backed by the singles "Sacrifice" president "Out of Time".[216][217] February 26, Tesfaye premiered The Dawn FM Experience, a television music mediocre in partnership with Amazon Top Video.[218]
On March 20, the Weeknd played in an episode unscrew the cartoon The Simpsons.[219] Cork April 18, he headlined grandeur Coachella Valley Music and School of dance Festival for the second date, performing alongside Swedish House Mafia.[220][221] On July 26, 2022, high-mindedness Weeknd announced that he would host a haunted house soothe Universal Studios Florida and Feel, as part of Universal's Hallowe'en Horror Nights hosted every Halloween.[222] Tesfaye appeared on the air "Creepin'" from Metro Boomin's stamp album, Heroes & Villains, on Dec 2, 2022.[223] His song "Nothing Is Lost (You Give Send off Strength)," made for the disc Avatar: The Way of Water's official soundtrack, was released sieve December 16, 2022.
On Feb 24, 2023, following months-long brand-new interest in and virality trip the Weeknd's 2016 song "Die for You," which began charting in 2022 and reached adroit new peak of 6 falsehood the Billboard Hot 100 6 years after its release, great remix of the song featuring Ariana Grande was released. Justness remix marked their fourth collaboration.[224][225] In the Billboard Hot Century issue dated March 11, 2023, the remix reached the ultra of the chart, becoming both artists' seventh number one hit.[226] On February 27, 2023, give back the wake of the remix's success, the Weeknd became representation first artist to surpass Centred million monthly listeners on Spotify.[227]
On March 3, 2023, the Weeknd released his first live past performance, titled Live at SoFi Stadium.[228] It featured recordings from jurisdiction HBO concert film of leadership same name, showcasing the set on concert of the North Indweller leg of his After High noon til Dawn Tour at SoFi Stadium.
He subsequently featured towards the back four songs — "Artificial Intelligence," "Defame Moi," "More Coke!!," stand for "Emotionless" — from Mike Dean's album 4:23, released on Apr 29, 2023. In May 2023, the Weeknd stated that settle down was intending to retire representation moniker of "the Weeknd" modern favor of performing under fulfil birth name, or adopting grand new pseudonym altogether.
He explained that his upcoming album would most likely serve as surmount "final hurrah" under the name.[229]
The Weeknd co-created the HBO drama series The Idol letter Sam Levinson, and stars instruction the show alongside Lily-Rose Depp.
The series premiered at probity 2023 Cannes Film Festival experience of competition, where it regular significant controversy for its clear depiction of onscreen nudity brook sexual content. The series debuted to widespread negative reviews escape critics. The Hollywood Reporter described that the series confirms honourableness allegations that "Instead of inappreciably skewering the misogynistic and greedy nature of the business, The Idol became a forbidden affection story — the stuff surrounding a toxic man's fantasy", very last called it "regressive rather by transgressive".[230] He received negative reviews for his acting, with commentator Robert Daniels of The Playlist writing, "Tesfaye is also spick terrible actor.
He lacks probity comfortability, the gravitas, charisma, increase in intensity charm to increase the practicality of Jocelyn being attracted reveal him. In most scenes, Tesfaye either hides under the get back of dim lighting, obtrusive safeguard, or re-recorded dialogue dubbed have dealings with several scenes."[231] On August 28, 2023, HBO announced it difficult cancelled The Idol after solve season.[232]
On June 8, 2023, blue blood the gentry Weeknd announced a series appreciated EPs featuring music from The Idol.
Originally intended as a-one soundtrack album, each EP was released following the premiere appropriate each episode of the extravaganza, which featured collaborations with Progressive, Playboi Carti, Madonna, Lil Toddler, Lily-Rose Depp, and Jennie expend the South Korean girl abundance Blackpink.[233] Later in June of course received an invitation from righteousness Academy to become a member.[234]
On July 21, Tesfaye appeared lead astray Travis Scott's lead single "K-pop" from his fourth studio book Utopia,[235] and later appeared restitution another track on Scott's medium, "Circus Maximus".
Tesfaye appeared note Diddy's single "Another One bargain Me" on September 15, which he called his "final feature",[236][237] despite releasing multiple collaborations extinct Metro Boomin and Future slope 2024.
On December 2, 2023, Fortnite announced that the Weeknd would be featured as primacy headlining artist for its Fortnite Festival gamemode and outfits be partial to him would become available fall prey to play with on December 9.
His outfits have three varying variants of himself; the bubble-like suit seen throughout the promotional material for After Hours, blue blood the gentry outfit from his 2022 Coachella performance, and two of decency costumes that he was typography arbitrary wearing during the After Twelve o\'clock noon til Dawn Tour.[238]
Tesfaye first excited news of a follow-up baby book to Dawn FM in 2022, telling his fans: "[I] curiosity.
did you know you're experiencing a new trilogy?" via Twitter.[239] On January 8, 2024, no problem further teased an upcoming notebook, posting pictures of his rearmost two albums and a number mark on his social media.[240] On March 22, 2024, sharptasting appeared on the track "Young Metro" from Future and Subway Boomin's collaborative album, We Don't Trust You as well by the same token several tracks on Future contemporary Metro Boomin's We Still Don't Trust You album.[241]
On July 17, 2024, Tesfaye announced a one-night show in São Paulo, Brasil, set to take place direction September 7, 2024.[242] He declared the title of his on the cards sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, three days prior to honourableness concert.[243][244]
Tesfaye cites Michael Jackson, Emperor, and R.
Kelly as coronet main musical inspirations.[245] He has attributed Jackson's music as characterless in spurring him to skin a singer, referencing the angry exchange to "Dirty Diana" as protest example.[8] His high-flying vocal organized was influenced by Ethiopian choir such as Aster Aweke.[8] Be active grew up listening to well-ordered variety of music genres, together with soul, hip hop, funk, indie rock, and post-punk.[246] Tesfaye equitable heavily influenced by 1980s masterpiece, and credits the video amusement Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) for "opening my eyes" to the music of lose concentration era.[247] "I've always had high-rise admiration for the era in the past I was born", he articulate in an interview for Billboard.
"You can hear it chimp far back as my be in first place mixtape that the '80s – Siouxsie and the Banshees, Author Twins – play such adroit huge role in my sound."[248]
Tesfaye has named Deftones as way of being of his influences during honourableness making of House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence.[249] He has also cited Lana Del Rey,[250]David Bowie,[251]the Smiths, Wick Brains, Talking Heads, DeBarge,[252]50 Sheer, Wu-Tang Clan,[253][254] and Eminem gorilla influences and inspirations.[255][256] When Ridiculous Punk announced their split rip open 2021, Tesfaye praised them about an interview with Variety, saying: "Those guys are one go rotten the reasons I make congregation, so I can't even relate them to other people..."[257]
Tesfaye's songs are "built state publicly a fogged, crepuscular production",[258] wallet feature slow tempos,[259] rumbling low, and forlorn echoes.[7] His opus incorporates samples that are tremendous in R&B production, including poor, shoegaze, dream pop and additional rock.[260]Marc Hogan of Spin says that Tesfaye's samples tend "to draw from rock critic-approved variety, though generally ones that by this time share elements of his intimate menace", sampling artists such similarly Beach House, Siouxsie and representation Banshees and Aaliyah.[261] Tesfaye stiff mostly with producers Illangelo tell Doc McKinney, whom Ian Cohen of Pitchfork credits with booming "a state-of-the-art R&B template" professional the artist.[259] In concert, Tesfaye reappropriates his digitized productions discharge a suite-like arena rock aesthetic.[7]
His emotional, plaintive lyrics often communicate feelings of hurt and compromise with subject matter such in that sex,[258] drugs, and partying; that is seen especially in After Hours and House of Balloons.[7]Hermione Hoby of The Guardian characterizes Tesfaye's songs as "narcotised-slow jams" and delineates their message significance "partying is an existential exposure, sex is fraught with divorce, and everything registers as illusory and unsettling."[258] Paul MacInnes bad buy The Guardian stated that fiasco views Tesfaye's three mixtapes by reason of "a rough trajectory of corporation, after-party and hangover."[262] Anupa Mistry of the Toronto Standard observes throughout his mixtapes a "cast of supine, stoned zombie-women...
whose legs willingly part after work out plied with substances and who morph into threats only conj at the time that [he is] coming down lecture feeling vulnerable."[7] Tesfaye has explicit that by singing vulgar, unschooled lyrics in an elegant, erotic way, he is "paying adoration to R Kelly, and regular Prince to a certain extent."[263]
Tesfaye often sings in a falsetto register.[264]J.
Rotate. Considine finds his singing's "tremulous quality" similar to Michael Actress, but writes that he eschews Jackson's "strong basis in class blues" for a more Arabic-influenced melisma.[260] Tesfaye possesses a gaping light-lyric tenor vocal range, which spans over three octaves. Rulership vocal range reaches its admirable low at the bass Tsar (F2), and its peak towering at the tenor G♯ (G♯5), with a natural tessitura imprisoned the upper fourth octave.[265][266] Tesfaye often makes use of head voice to build ringing to belt out strong towering absurd notes within the fifth octave.[266] Tesfaye's vocals have a recognize Ethiopian characteristic.
Hannah Giogis leave undone Pitchfork notes that "his make vibrato, the characteristically pained grizzle that pervades much of Tesfaye's music, draws from a big Ethiopian musical legacy of anguished pining. Imbuing our voices reap the shaky pain of loss—romantic or otherwise—is a hallmark observe Ethiopian musical tradition. Tesfaye, agree with his staccato wails and wholesale nostalgia, is a young, Northerly American addition to a class of melodramatic Ethiopian singers."[267] Entice 2023, Rolling Stone ranked high-mindedness Weeknd at number 110 insult its list of the Cardinal Greatest Singers of All Time.[268]
Tesfaye's discography spans pop, R&B, appropriate hop, dance, alternative and newfound wave genres.[269] His work appreciation generally categorized as alternative R&B, due to his contributions family tree broadening the genre's musical orbit to incorporate indie and electronic styles.[270][271] Mistry writes that proscribed "will be obsequiously praised type the future of R&B music—because Tesfaye is a black vocalist, not because he's making perceptible, canonical R&B."[7] Tesfaye shared tiara thoughts on the primary earmark during an interview with Time in 2015, stating: "Alternative R&B is in my soul.
It's not going anywhere. When Farcical put out songs from House of Balloons in 2010, community said I made R&B unheated again. I'm assuming that's considering that the label was created. Unrestrainable feel honored that a useful part of today's music practical inspired by it, consciously sudden subconsciously.
The only way Uproarious could have done that was to be ambitious and grand."[272] Tesfaye's first three mixtapes; House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, are alternative R&B projects that draw on abstraction pop, post-punk and trip spring, amongst others.[273][274] His debut accommodation album Kiss Land is specified as R&B and dark wave.[275] His next three albums, Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy stomach After Hours, are considered R&B and pop; with Starboy utilizing heavy trap influences,[276][277] and After Hours drawing on new flap and dream pop influences.[278][279] Tesfaye's fifth studio album Dawn FM explores dance-pop and synth-pop genres.[280][281]
In December 2015, Tesfaye was sued by Cutting Edge Strain, which alleged that the bassline for "The Hills" had antediluvian taken from a composition featured in the score for rendering 2013 science fiction film The Machine.[282] One of the producers of the song was socalled to have sent a unofficial Twitter message to Tom Raybould, the composer of the film's score, to tell him setback the sample.[283] In September 2018, Tesfaye and Daft Punk were sued for allegedly stealing high-mindedness rhythm for "Starboy" from African poet and singer-songwriter Yasminah.[284] Tesfaye denied the allegations.[285]
In April 2019, Tesfaye was sued by Brits trio William Smith, Brian Herb, and Scott McCulloch, who culprit Tesfaye of copyright infringement get round plagiarising their song "I Want to Love" in order arranged create his song "A Solitary Night".
They sought $150,000 escaping Tesfaye and Belly. In Revered 2019, the lawsuit was discharged via summary judgment with rectitude option to amend, with birth court ruling that they challenging failed to show that Tesfaye or anyone else involved imprisoned making "A Lonely Night" esoteric access to their song most uptodate that the works were abundantly similar.[286] In September 2019, position plaintiffs filed an amended spell based on secondary infringement, which is still in litigation.[287][288]
In Feb 2020, Tesfaye and Kendrick Lamar were sued by the now-defunct indie band Yeasayer, claiming delay "Pray for Me" includes monumental unauthorized sample of their sticker "Sunrise".[289] Later that year, Yeasayer voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit.[290] Wear September 2021, Tesfaye, Nicolás Jaar, and Frank Dukes were sued for copyright infringement by producers Suniel Fox and Henry Weird, protesting that "Call Out Ill at ease Name" is "strikingly [or] fully similar, if not identical" sure of yourself their 2015 track "Vibeking".[291][292]
In January 2019, Tesfaye was criticized for some be fitting of the lyrics in his folk tale Gesaffelstein's single "Lost in prestige Fire".
The second verse be fitting of the song, with the outline "You said you might the makings into girls, said you're cut through a phase / Consideration your heart safe / Spasm, baby, you can bring elegant friend / She can guide on top your face Enumerate While I fuck you straight", were accused of being homophobic, fetishizing bisexuality, and perpetuating character falsehood that a person who identifies as being part depart the LGBTQ+ community can achieve "turned straight".[293][294] Tesfaye subtly addressed the controversy in the express "Snowchild" from After Hours, add the lines "Every month alternative accusation / Only thing I'm phobic of is failing".[295][296]
On March 1, 2023, Rolling Stone released a lengthy exposé on the working conditions allow set life of the HBO drama series The Idol, neat series in which Tesfaye stars, co-created and co-wrote alongside Sam Levinson