Meta Description: Discover the full biography of The Weeknd — from his early life in Toronto to global superstardom. Learn about his music career, albums, personal life, awards, and net worth.
Focus Keywords: The Weeknd biography, The Weeknd early life, The Weeknd music career, The Weeknd albums, The Weeknd net worth, who is The Weeknd
Who Is The Weeknd?
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his unique blend of R&B, pop, and alternative music. With his haunting vocals, dark aesthetic, and record-breaking hits, The Weeknd has become one of the biggest musical artists in the world.
The Weeknd’s Early Life and Background
The Weeknd was born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Ethiopian immigrant parents. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in the Scarborough area of Toronto after his father left when he was young.
Abel dropped out of high school at 17 and began uploading songs anonymously to YouTube under the name “The Weeknd” in 2010. His stage name comes from dropping out of school and “leaving one weekend and never coming back.”
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd early life, Abel Tesfaye background, where is The Weeknd from, The Weeknd Ethiopian roots
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Mixtapes
The Weeknd gained early attention through his mixtapes released in 2011:
- House of Balloons
- Thursday
- Echoes of Silence
These mixtapes, released for free online, showcased a new sound — dark, emotional, and raw R&B. They earned praise from critics and caught the attention of stars like Drake, who helped introduce The Weeknd to a wider audience.
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd House of Balloons, The Weeknd mixtapes, The Weeknd Drake connection, The Weeknd early songs
Studio Albums and Musical Success
The Weeknd signed with Republic Records in 2012 and re-released his mixtapes as a compilation album, Trilogy. Since then, he has released multiple chart-topping albums, including:
1. Kiss Land (2013)
His debut album, blending horror aesthetics with futuristic sounds.
2. Beauty Behind the Madness (2015)
Featured smash hits:
- Can’t Feel My Face
- The Hills
- Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey OST)
Won multiple awards and launched him into mainstream success.
3. Starboy (2016)
Won the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album, included hits:
- Starboy
- I Feel It Coming (feat. Daft Punk)
4. After Hours (2020)
One of the best-selling albums of the decade, including:
- Blinding Lights (longest-charting Billboard Hot 100 song in history)
- Save Your Tears
- In Your Eyes
5. Dawn FM (2022)
Conceptual and retro-inspired, praised for its creativity and storytelling.
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd Blinding Lights, The Weeknd albums, The Weeknd songs list, The Weeknd Starboy, The Weeknd After Hours, The Weeknd discography
Awards and Achievements
The Weeknd has received over 500 award nominations and won more than 150 awards, including:
- 4 Grammy Awards
- 20 Billboard Music Awards
- 6 American Music Awards
- 2 MTV VMAs
- Guinness World Records for streaming
He also headlined the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show in 2021, watched by over 100 million people worldwide.
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd Grammy wins, The Weeknd Super Bowl performance, The Weeknd awards, The Weeknd Billboard records
The Weeknd’s Personal Life and Influences
Known for maintaining privacy, The Weeknd has dated celebrities like Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez. He is also an actor and voice performer, appearing in shows like The Idol (2023).
His music is influenced by artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and R. Kelly, and themes often include heartbreak, fame, addiction, and loneliness.
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd personal life, The Weeknd relationships, The Weeknd The Idol, who inspired The Weeknd
The Weeknd Net Worth and Business Ventures
As of 2025, The Weeknd’s net worth is estimated at $300 million. His income comes from:
- Music sales and streaming
- Sold-out world tours
- Endorsements (Puma, H&M, etc.)
- Investments and acting projects
He also co-founded the XO record label and collaborates frequently with brands and creators.
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd net worth 2025, The Weeknd earnings, The Weeknd XO label, The Weeknd endorsements
Philanthropy and Activism
The Weeknd is active in philanthropy, donating millions to:
- UN World Food Programme
- Black Lives Matter
- COVID-19 relief
- Lebanon disaster relief
He uses his platform to advocate for social justice, human rights, and global health.
SEO Keywords: The Weeknd donations, The Weeknd charity work, The Weeknd activism, The Weeknd WFP ambassador
Conclusion
The biography of The Weeknd reveals a powerful journey of transformation — from anonymous YouTube uploads to becoming one of the most innovative and influential voices in modern music.
With his genre-defying sound, emotional storytelling, and unmatched global reach, The Weeknd continues to shape the future of R&B and pop while staying true to his mysterious roots.
✅ SEO Summary Tags
- Primary Keywords: The Weeknd biography, The Weeknd music career, The Weeknd albums, The Weeknd early life
- Secondary Keywords: The Weeknd net worth 2025, The Weeknd Blinding Lights, The Weeknd Super Bowl, The Weeknd XO
- Long-Tail Keywords: who is The Weeknd, The Weeknd success story, The Weeknd discography, The Weeknd album list, The Weeknd rise to fame
