The term pop star gets tossed around easily, but few truly earn it. From his humble, anonymous beginnings to a four-time GRAMMY winner with seven No. 1 hits and a Super Bowl halftime show under his belt, The Weeknd has certainly earned the accolade.
The Canadian artist born Abel Tesfaye floats seamlessly between music, television, and film — from his starring role in "The Idol" to his big-screen debut in Hurry Up Tomorrow, which hit theaters on May 16. His six studio albums and three mixtapes blend pop, R&B, and hip-hop, proof that The Weeknd carries the presence and range of a classic rock star; the kind who reshapes genres while building a world entirely his own.
The Weeknd first captivated listeners in 2011 when he uploaded several tracks to YouTube under the username "xoxxxoooxo." The mysterious R&B songs — self-produced and later compiled into his breakthrough mixtape House of Balloons — created an immediate buzz around his identity. That same year, he founded his XO Records and contributed to four songs on Drake's second studio album, Take Care, as a songwriter, producer; he was a featured artist on the album's seventh single, "Crew Love."
Following his 2013 debut Kiss Land, The Weeknd's evolution continued with 2015's Beauty Behind the Madness and his 2016 follow-up, Starboy, both of which topped the Billboard 200 chart. Beyond music, he brought a menacing charm to acclaimed films like Uncut Gems, showcasing his artistry across mediums.
Tesfaye reached new heights in 2025 with his unconventional pop album Hurry Up Tomorrow. Over 22 tracks, The Weekend seamlessly blended R&B, synth-pop, and trap foundations while venturing into Brazilian funk and experimental hip-hop. What makes this effort particularly significant is that it allegedly represents his final work under The Weeknd moniker — a deliberate conclusion to the persona that revolutionized modern music.
Following the album's release, Tesfaye made a symbolic return to the 2025 GRAMMYs stage, ending his three-year boycott of the Ceremony following public criticism of its nomination processes. His surprise performance of "Cry For Me" and "Timeless" signaled both a reconciliation with the Academy. Whether the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow (both album and film) truly concludes The Weeknd chapter or heralds further development remains to be seen. Regardless, Abel Tesfaye's transformation from anonymous moody uploads to a cultural phenomenon is one for the history books.
Watch: 2025 GRAMMYs: The Weeknd Makes Triumphant Return To GRAMMY Stage
Below, follow The Weeknd's musical evolution from atmospheric early mixtapes to stadium-filling anthems, and silver screen charisma. Explore his innovations, cultural impact and artistic vision that have established him as the architect of modern pop’s darker, more cinematic turn.
No Rules, Just Hit Records
"Wicked Games" (2011)
The Weeknd’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, the haunting "Wicked Games," has lived many lives. First released as a loosie on YouTube in 2011, it later reappeared as the lead single from his debut mixtape House of Balloons, and then again as the lead single from his 2012 compilation album Trilogy (2012). The song opens with waves crashing and The Weeknd’s signature falsetto layered on top. The painful but alluring lyrics — plucked straight out of the Tumblr generation where he thrived — earned the track a deserved 3x platinum status.
Trilogy (2012)
Trilogy is The Weeknd’s major label arrival — a three-part special combining his 2011 mixtapes that first attracted fans online and forever influenced the moodiness of the Toronto sound. Released through XO and Republic Records, the compilation marked a turning point as his cult following began to scale. Alongside the charting single "Wicked Games," it features deep cuts like "What You Need," which samples Aaliyah’s "Rock the Boat," and "The Party & The After Party," built around Beach House’s "Master of None." With its brooding seduction and chaotic comedown, the latter’s two-act arc reads like a fever dream — an early glimpse into the emotional peaks and valleys that would define his later work. The Weeknd’s ability to pull from such sonically different artists showcased his skill as a producer and predicted the genre-bending, filmic ambition that would shape his career.
"Can’t Feel My Face" (2015)
Not too many artists are drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson at the dawn of their careers, but then there's The Weeknd's GRAMMY-nominated "Can't Feel My Face." Like MJ, The Weeknd has a gift for crafting infectious hooks that transcend meaning, captivating listeners of all ages. The darker themes fans had come to expect from him are still there, but this time they’re masked in a joyful rush of modern disco-funk. This single from his GRAMMY-winning sophomore studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, launched The Weeknd into full-blown pop stardom. First leaked in May 2015 and officially released weeks later, it went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 and charts in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, and South Africa.
"The Hills" (2015)
"The Hills" stands in stark contrast to the glossiness of "Can’t Feel My Face," showcasing The Weeknd’s range and reaffirming the darker edge that made his early work so magnetic. Released in 2015 and later certified diamond by the RIAA, it became his first diamond record and solidified his status as dark-pop king. Over distorted bass and crashing synths, he brags about his conflicting feelings about being an outlaw and dysfunctional relationships that still manages to enchant the mainstream. It’s an eerie and vivid track, with songwriting and production that sparks daydreams or nightmares. Fittingly, the track takes its title from Wes Craven’s 1977 cult horror The Hills Have Eyes, a nod to The Weeknd’s obsession with cinema.
Starboy (2016)
Starboy (2016) lived up to its name in spectacular fashion, cementing Tesfaye's musical supernova. The sleek, neon-drenched album married R&B and electronic pop, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200; its Daft Punk-assisted title track topped the Hot 100 the following January. Tesfaye and the French electronic duo met again on "I Feel It Coming," which further is where cemented his ability to capture the zeitgeist while maintaining his signature mystique and moodiness. This period didn't just produce chart successes; it defined the sound of an era. For its inventiveness, Starboy took home a golden gramophone for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2018 GRAMMYs.
"Blinding Lights" & "Heartless" (2019)
These twin '80s-inspired synthwave tracks proved equally fit for both nightclub dance floors and high-intensity cycling classes. "Heartless" claimed the top spot on the Hot 100 while "Blinding Lights" became one of the most successful singles of all time, breaking multiple Billboard records, including the longest-charting Hot 100 hit ever. With their immaculate production and arena-sized sonics, these singles solidified "The Weeknd" as a distinct archetype in pop culture — a modern tragic hero whose fate we recognize from the first notes, perpetually entangled in destructive relationships yet impossible to look away from.
Despite the familiar narrative of toxic entanglements, both respected institutions and his fans remained captivated, rewarding him with multiple awards, and billions of streams worldwide. Those successes continued to prove that Tesfaye's dark, persistent vision resonated regardless of how many times we witness his character's downfall.
"Save Your Tears" ft. Ariana Grande (2021)
What did pop music sound like in 2021? "Save Your Tears," featuring Ariana Grande, is the answer. Their defining collaboration — and second partnership after 2014's "Love Me Harder" and preceding "Off the Table" later that same year — remade an already successful track into a No. 1 hit that spent multiple weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and accumulated over 2 billion global streams.
Grande's signature breath control and clarity are perfectly matched by the chameleonic The Weeknd, who adapts his voice against the '80s-inspired synths. The track's massive commercial success, including a diamond certification, demonstrated how two unique sonic identities could merge into something greater than the sum of its parts.
From XO To OVO: Everybody’s Favorite Feature
"Crew Love" with Drake (2011)
This early collaboration from Drake's seminal Take Care introduced a whole new audience to The Weeknd's haunting falsetto and atmospheric production style, establishing the blueprint for their creative partnership. "That OVO and that XO," as Drake calls it.
The track's nocturnal ambiance and confessional, singalong lyrics about fame's dark side showcase Tesfaye's signature blend of hedonism and vulnerability. "Crew Love" also reflects the embryonic stage of what would become The Weeknd's trademark sound, characterized by collaborations with artists from Drake to Anitta to Ariana Grande — a melancholic, drug-hazed R&B that would eventually reshape pop music.
"Love Me Harder" with Ariana Grande (2014)
No one expected The Weeknd to show up on Ariana Grande’s sweetly innocent My Everything album — but in hindsight, it makes perfect sense. They both carry a magnetic falsetto, and their collaboration earned The Weeknd his first entry into the Hot 100’s Top 10. The title "Love Me Harder" fits — the romance of Grande meets the grit of Tesfaye — and it foreshadows the pop-leaning, ‘80s-inspired tracks he’d later release into the world.
"Woo" by Rihanna (2016)
It was only right that The Weeknd co-wrote one of the grittiest, standout tracks on Rihanna’s ANTI, a move that highlights his behind-the-scenes influence on R&B. The breakup track simmers with his nonchalant nature and a moth-to-a-flame knack for dysfunctional relationships. The Weeknd is also a writer on the song, bringing the emotional intensity that defines his work while still sounding entirely like a Rihanna song made for both a lap dance and the runway.
"Coming Out Strong" with Future (2017)
Don’t we love it when two toxic kings link up? "Comin' Out Strong," the hypnotic 2017 collaboration from Future’s HNDRXX project, is peak melodic trap — almost a meditation on fame’s isolation. It’s floaty, spacey, drugged-out, yet confessional and honest, touching on the media scrutiny both artists have faced over the arcs of their careers.
"You Right" with Doja Cat (2021)
In 2021, The Weeknd lands on Planet Her, adding another chart success to his growing list of collaborations. There’s a sensual tension between Doja’s raspy rhymes and The Weeknd’s ability to shape-shift his vocals to complement a woman’s artistic voice. He’s high-pitched, crooning, and how the two interact feels almost like a call and response. The chemistry is undeniable.
A Worldbuilder In Every Medium: Stage, Screen & Stadium
"Earned It" (Fifty Shades of Grey, 2015) \
If there’s one artist destined to land on a soundtrack about BDSM, it’s The Weeknd. "Earned It," from Fifty Shades of Grey, marked his first foray into film soundtracks and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. With this track, Hollywood was introduced to his seductive sound, which felt just as fitting on the industry’s biggest stage as in a dimly lit bedroom.
"Earned It" was a massive commercial success, earning a quadruple platinum certification, three GRAMMY nominations and a win for Best R&B Performance. It was also featured on Beauty Behind the Madness, where it seamlessly fits both the soundtrack and his project — a double whammy of musical mastery.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Soundtrack (2013)
Of course, the popstar would leave his mark on the dystopian blockbuster franchise with "Devil May Cry" and "Elastic Heart" (with Sia and Diplo) expanding his cinematic presence before he became a household name. The atmospheric production and haunting vocals on these tracks demonstrated The Weeknd's natural affinity for scoring dystopian worlds, foreshadowing his later soundtrack work.
"Pray For Me" with Kendrick Lamar (Black Panther, 2018)
When one pop star and one rap star link up, they're bound to make magic. "Pray For Me," a collaboration merging Tesfaye’s soaring melodic hooks with Lamar’s incisive verses, was a solid addition to Marvel’s pan-African Black Panther soundtrack. Rooted in themes of identity and power, The Weeknd brought his self-lacerating persona to the mix. If you listen closely, themes of sacrifice and duality perfectly complement the film’s exploration of heroism and responsibility. A platinum certification and a Top 10 chart position solidified The Weeknd’s place as a go-to artist for high-profile, culturally resonant soundtracks.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Tesfaye played himself in the Safdie Brothers' 2019 anxiety-inducing thriller — a meta cameo that blurred the lines between his musical persona and acting potential. His appearance is brief but memorable, complete with a nightclub performance and a confrontation with Adam Sandler's character, capturing the raw, chaotic energy of his early career persona while hinting at his cinematic ambitions. This cult classic appearance was exactly what he needed to solidify his pop stardom further, proving his versatility and expanding his reach beyond music.
Super Bowl Halftime Show (2021)
In 2021, he brought the Toronto sound to the Super Bowl as the first Canadian solo artist to headline the most-watched musical event in America; Tesfaye delivered a dazzling, self-funded spectacle that earned three Emmy nominations while celebrating his entire discography. The Weeknd presents as a showman on football's biggest night with intricate choreography, visual effects that showcase a knack for immense production value, and a nostalgic but fresh medley of hits.
Fun fact: he financed the $7 million production, maintaining complete creative control, which gave audiences a halftime show that felt like entering The Weeknd's universe rather than a compromised mass-market performance.
"The Idol" (2023)
"The Idol" caused a lot of conversation but showcased The Weeknd’s willingness and ability to explore the darker side of fame across mediums. Tesfaye's HBO debut was ambitious and polarizing, with "The Idol" described as gauche, raunchy, and even pornographic.
His performance as enigmatic cult leader Tedros, alongside co-stars Lily-Rose Depp, Jennie Kim, and Troye Sivan, demonstrated surprising acting range and a love for deeply unsympathetic characters, suggesting a fearlessness reaching far beyond his music.The show’s unflinching examination of the music industry's exploitation and excess revealed Tesfaye's interest in deconstructing the star-making machinery that elevated his career.
Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025)
His official feature film debut represents the culmination of a decade-long expansion beyond music, proving there's no medium Tesfaye won't explore — or alter with his daringly illicit, yet one-of-a-kind vision. Directed and edited by Trey Edward Shults, the musical psychological thriller is a companion to Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye’s sixth studio album of the same name.
Early critical reception suggests his performance captures the same emotional intensity that defines his musical output, translating his gift for storytelling to the visual medium. Starring alongside newcomer but proven talent Jenna Ortega, Tesfaye’s portrayal and production prowess is an alleged final act as The Weeknd, a tastemaker.