The Weeknd (born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye on February 16, 1990) is a Canadian recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. His distinctive blend of R&B, hip-hop, and pop has catapulted him to international fame. Let’s look at the fascinating life and career of this Grammy-winning superstar. This article discusses The Weeknd Net Worth, early years, career, awards and achievements.
The Weeknd Net Worth
| Nickname: | The Weeknd |
| Real Name: | Walter Bruce Willis |
| Net Worth: | $300 million |
| Birthplace: | Toronto, Ontario |
| Weight: | 85 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Spouse: | None |
| Children: | None |
| Girlfriend: | DJ Simi Khadra |
| Date of Birth: | February 16, 1990 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.73 m |
| Profession: | Singer, Actor |
| Nationality: | American |
| Source of Wealth: | Music, Film |
| Education: | Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, West Hill Collegiate Institute |
| Father: | Makkonen Tesfaye |
| Mother: | Samrawit Hailu Tesfaye |
| Brother: | None |
| Sister: | None |
Early Years
Abel Tesfaye grew up in Toronto, Ontario, raised by his mother and grandmother after his parents separated. His Ethiopian heritage and upbringing had a tremendous impact on his music and identity.
Tesfaye dropped out of high school and began living a turbulent lifestyle that includes drug use and minor crime. However, his love of music remained unwavering, and he began recording songs under the moniker “The Weeknd,” inspired by the days when he and his buddies would party all weekend.
Career
In December 2010, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, uploaded numerous songs on YouTube under the handle “xoxxxoooxo.” Initially remaining nameless, his tracks “What You Need,” “Loft Music,” and “The Morning” garnered popularity online, finally catching the notice of rapper Drake, who mentioned them in a blog post. This prompted coverage from a variety of media publications, including Pitchfork and The New York Times.
Tesfaye previously recorded songs under the identities The Noise and Kin Kane. His present moniker was created to commemorate the day he dropped out of school, took his mattress, and “left one weekend and never came home.” He started his career at American Apparel, where his obscurity allowed his coworkers to listen to his songs without realizing it was him.
Tesfaye formed the XO record label in 2011 alongside music executives Wassim “Sal” Slaiby and Amir “Cash” Esmailian. On March 21, 2011, he released his debut mixtape “House of Balloons,” which was followed by “Thursday” and “Echoes of Silence” later that year. Tesfaye’s mixtapes won critical praise and earned him nominations for the Polaris Music Prize.
Tesfaye signed with Republic Records in 2012 and released the compilation album “Trilogy,” which included remixed and remastered versions of his mixtapes. The album opened at #4 on the US Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum. Tesfaye’s debut studio album, “Kiss Land,” was released in 2013 and received excellent reviews. It included singles like “Belong to the World” and “Love in the Sky.”
2015-2020
Tesfaye achieved mainstream popularity with his album “Beauty Behind the Madness,” which included hit singles such as “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face.” Tesfaye’s album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and garnered him two Grammy Awards. In 2016, he released his follow-up album “Starboy,” which debuted at number one and won a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar collaborated on the song “Pray for Me” for the Black Panther soundtrack, which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2018. In March 2018, he released the EP “My Dear Melancholy,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Throughout 2018, he played at different events and debuted his Apple Music 1 radio show, “Memento Mori.”
In 2019, The Weeknd collaborated with musicians including Gesaffelstein and Ariana Grande. He also received his first Academy Award nomination for “Earned It” in Fifty Shades of Grey. In 2020, he released his highly anticipated album “After Hours,” which had singles such as “Blinding Lights” and “Heartless.” The album launched at number one on the Billboard 200, breaking streaming records.
2021-present
In 2021, The Weeknd headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show, a watershed moment in his career. He also released his second greatest hits album, “The Highlights,” and previewed his future album, “The Dawn,” with “The Dawn.”
In 2022, The Weeknd released his fifth studio album, “Dawn FM,” which opened at number two on the Billboard 200. He received criticism for his acting debut on HBO’s drama series “The Idol.” Despite this, he continues to create music and collaborate with musicians such Travis Scott and Diddy.
The Weeknd revealed in 2023 that he will retire the moniker “The Weeknd” with the release of his upcoming album. He released a live album and worked with Mike Dean on numerous songs. The Weeknd also got criticism for the “The Idol” series, but he continued to work on other projects, including a collaboration with Fortnite. He previewed a future album and hinted to a new trilogy.
His discography includes: “Kiss Land (2013),” “Beauty Behind the Madness (2015),” “Starboy (2016),” “After Hours (2020),” “Dawn FM (2022).”
Awards and Achievements
The Weeknd’s achievements include an Academy Award nomination for his song “Earned It” from the film “Fifty Shades of Grey” and a Primetime Emmy Award for his Outstanding performance on the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show. He is the 12th artist to achieve two straight number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
He has also won 4 Grammy Awards, 1 Latin Grammy Award, 22 Billboard Music Awards, 6 American Music Awards, 3 MTV Video Music Awards, 1 People’s Choice Awards, 22 Juno Awards and others.
In October 2014, Tesfaye was honored with the Allan Slaight Honour by Canada’s Walk of Fame for his positive impact in various fields, including music and philanthropy.
Toronto Mayor John Tory declared February 7, 2021, as “The Weeknd Day” in the city to celebrate Tesfaye’s iconic Super Bowl halftime performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Weeknd
1. What is The Weeknd’s birth name?
The Weeknd’s birth name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye.
2. When was The Weeknd born?
He was born on February 16, 1990.
3. Where was The Weeknd born?
He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
4. What genre of music does The Weeknd make?
His music is primarily R&B, but he incorporates elements of pop, hip-hop, and electronic music into his sound.
5. What are The Weeknd’s most popular songs?
Some of his most popular songs include “Blinding Lights,” “Starboy,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” “The Hills,” and “Earned It.”
6. What label is The Weeknd associated with?
He is associated with his own label, XO, in collaboration with Republic Records.
7. Who is The Weeknd?
The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his distinctive voice and avant-garde style.
8. How did The Weeknd get his start in music?
He gained recognition by anonymously uploading songs to YouTube in 2010, which led to the release of his critically acclaimed mixtapes, “House of Balloons,” “Thursday,” and “Echoes of Silence.”
9. What is the title of The Weeknd’s third studio album?
The title of his third studio album is “Kiss Land”. Notable songs from this album include “Earned It,” “The Hills,” and “Can’t Feel My Face.”
10. How old is The Weeknd?
He was born on February 16, 1990, which makes him 34 years old.
11. What movies or TV shows has The Weeknd appeared in?
He has appeared in the films “Uncut Gems” and “Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights” and has made guest appearances on TV shows such as “Empire” and “American Dad!”
12. What inspired The Weeknd’s stage name?
His stage name, The Weeknd, was inspired by the film “Apocalypse Now” and an optional song from the video game “Final Fantasy VIII”.
13. What is The Weeknd’s net worth?
The Weeknd’s net worth is an impressive $300 million.
14. What record did The Weeknd achieve on the Billboard R&B Songs chart?
He became the first artist in history to simultaneously hold the top three spots on the Billboard R&B Songs chart with the songs “Earned It,” “The Hills,” and “Can’t Feel My Face”.
15. Has The Weeknd won any awards?
Yes, He has won numerous awards, including 4 Grammy Awards, 1 Latin Grammy Award, 22 Billboard Music Awards, 6 American Music Awards, 3 MTV Video Music Awards, 1 People’s Choice Awards, 22 Juno Awards and others.
16. Does The Weeknd have any upcoming projects?
He teased a new trilogy and album on his twitter.
Conclusion
The Weeknd’s meteoric rise, entrepreneurial ventures, and artistic brilliance have solidified his place as one of the highest-paid entertainers globally. His legacy continues to evolve, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
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