The Canadian Singer - Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (Weeknd)

The Weeknd: A Sonic Journey

Introduction:

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, professionally known as the Weeknd, has carved a unique path in the music industry, characterized by unconventional production, artistic reinvention, and a distinctive falsetto. Born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Canada, to Ethiopian immigrants, Tesfaye's musical journey began with anonymous YouTube releases in 2009.

Early Career and Mystique:

• XO Record Label: In 2011, Tesfaye co-founded the XO record label, marking a pivotal moment in his career's trajectory.
• Mixtape Trilogy: The mixtapes "House of Balloons," "Thursday," and "Echoes of Silence" showcased contemporary R&B, adding to the mystique surrounding his identity.

Mainstream Breakthrough:

• Signing with Republic Records: Tesfaye signed with Republic Records in 2012, re-releasing his mixtapes as the compilation album "Trilogy."
• "Kiss Land" (2013): His debut studio album explored dark wave, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200.

Chart-Topping Success:

• "Beauty Behind the Madness" (2015): This album propelled Tesfaye to critical and commercial success with hits like "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills."
• Grammy Wins: "Beauty Behind the Madness" earned the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

Artistic Evolution:

• "Starboy" (2016): Tesfaye continued his success with the album "Starboy," featuring chart-topping tracks like the title song with Daft Punk.
• "After Hours" (2020): The album explored new wave and dream pop, featuring the chart-topping single "Blinding Lights."

Recent Releases:

• "My Dear Melancholy" (2018): A return to alternative R&B, featuring the US top-ten single "Call Out My Name."
• "Dawn FM" (2022): Tesfaye's fifth album, featuring the US top-ten single "Take My Breath."

Record-Breaking Achievements:

• Streaming and Billboard Records: Tesfaye holds records, including being the first Canadian artist with four diamond-certified singles and the first to hold the top three spots on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart simultaneously.
• Spotify History: "Blinding Lights" holds the record for the most-streamed song in Spotify history.

Recognition and Awards:

• Grammy Success: Tesfaye has won four Grammy Awards, along with 20 Billboard Music Awards and 22 Juno Awards.
• Hall of Fame Inductions: His impact led to inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Beyond Music:

• Advocacy: Tesfaye has been appointed a World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for racial equality and food security.
• Creative Ventures: In 2023, he co-created and starred in the drama series "The Idol."

Personal Journey:

• Early Life Challenges: Raised in Scarborough by his mother and grandmother, Tesfaye faced challenges, including his parents' separation.
• Struggles and Redemption: His early adulthood involved homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse. A reevaluation led to a focus on music.

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, the Weeknd, stands as a multifaceted artist, seamlessly blending genres and pushing creative boundaries. From his enigmatic beginnings on YouTube to achieving chart-topping success and advocating for social causes, Tesfaye's journey reflects resilience and artistic evolution. With a rich discography, record-breaking achievements, and contributions beyond music, the Weeknd continues to shape the contemporary music landscape.

References;

1.  Marsh, Calum (February 16, 2021). "Everything We Know About The Weeknd Before He Blew Up". Complex. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2021. He apparently also recorded music under the names The Noise and Kin Kane.
2. Eells, Josh (October 21, 2015). "Sex, Drugs and R&B: Inside The Weeknd's Dark Twisted Fantasy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018.
3. Donnelly, Matt; Sharf, Zack (May 22, 2023). "'The Idol' Scandalizes Cannes With Five-Minute Standing Ovation for Lily-Rose Depp's Masturbating Pop Star, Explicit Nudity and the Weeknd's TV Acting Debut". Variety. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
4. Wimmer, Micah (March 21, 2018). "On the Weeknd, House of Balloons, and Its Massive Influence". Medium. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Listening to House of Balloons now, years after its initial release, its influence stands out as much as its quality. It might not be fully accurate to name it as the first so-called alternative R&B album, the one that set the stage for Frank Ocean, FKA Twigs, Rhye, Tinashe, and Miguel's more experimental work, but regardless, it still seems like a dividing line in the progression of R&B in the 2010s.
5. Kennedy, Gerrick D. (February 12, 2016). "How the Weeknd got his revenge and became one of the biggest pop stars". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
6. "House of Balloons – The Weeknd". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021.
7. Cox, Jamieson (February 28, 2016). "Watch The Weeknd reenact the "Earned It" video on the Oscar stage". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2021.