The Weeknd
The Weeknd
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Overview

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, professionally known as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and actor. Born on February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, he has become one of the most influential and innovative artists of his generation, known for his unconventional music production, artistic reinventions, and signature falsetto register. Here is a timeline of his significant events and milestones from birth to today.
Main Milestones
Birth
February 16, 1990
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Makkonen and Samra Tesfaye. He is the only child and was raised in Scarborough, a diverse neighborhood in the city's east end.
Early Music Career
2009
The Weeknd began his music career by anonymously releasing songs on YouTube. This marked the beginning of his journey into the music industry.
Mixtapes and Recognition
2011
The Weeknd released three mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. These mixtapes gained him recognition for his blend of contemporary and alternative R&B, as well as the mystery surrounding his identity.
Trilogy and First Performance
2012
The Weeknd reissued his mixtapes into the compilation album Trilogy with Republic Records. He also gave his first performance in London, which was attended by famous singers like Katy Perry and Florence Welch.
Debut Studio Album
2013
The Weeknd released his debut studio album, Kiss Land, on September 10. This album marked a significant milestone in his career, transitioning from underground to mainstream success.
Beauty Behind the Madness
2015
The Weeknd released his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which spawned the number-one hit singles 'Can't Feel My Face' and 'The Hills', along with the top-three song 'Earned It', featured in the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack.
Starboy and Collaborations
2016
The Weeknd released his third studio album, Starboy, which featured A-list collaborators like Kendrick Lamar and Daft Punk. He also collaborated with Beyoncé on 'Lemonade' and Kanye West on 'The Life of Pablo'.
After Hours
2020
The Weeknd released his fourth studio album, After Hours, which received a record-breaking 1.02 million pre-adds globally on Apple Music. The album featured hit singles like 'Heartless', 'Blinding Lights', and 'Save Your Tears'.
Super Bowl Halftime Show and TIME Magazine
2021
The Weeknd became the first Canadian artist to headline a solo Super Bowl halftime show. He was also featured in TIME Magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, with a tribute penned by Elton John.
Decade of Dominance
2023
The Weeknd marked a decade since receiving his first JUNO Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. His song 'Blinding Lights' became the most streamed song on Spotify, surpassing Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You'.