Eyes of V

Able Tesfaye will never be less than zero to us

There are many Canadian artists we know & love but one of the main ones that come to mind is the one that reminds me of our favorite time of the week, Abel Tesfaye also known as The Weeknd.

Whether you love him or hate him, you know at least one of his songs because he’s that well known. From hit songs & sold out concerts, to tv & film appearances, many collaborations, and so much more, no one can deny that man can pretty much do it all. But let’s get to know how The Weeknd came to be and Abel’s story.

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye was born February 16, 1990 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Makkonen & Samra Tesfaye. Since his family immigrated to Canada from Ethiopia in the 80s, Abel’s first language was Amharic. At such a young age, he had to witness his parents separate & watch his mother become a single mother raising him alongside his grandmother as his father was no longer in the picture.

His mother worked long hours just to support the two of them, which often left Abel alone at home listening to music or watching movies. This characterized his early years by a sense of alienation and a search for an identity.

Unfortunately, he did not live in the best neighborhood. The neighborhood he lived in was known for its poverty & crime along with its heavy drug usage which heavily influenced a lot of his earlier music. But despite his struggles, he was more than determined to make his dreams come true one way or another. At a young age, he began writing & producing his own music with all the equipment being borrowed.

With this passion, one would assume he stayed in school & continued going. He attended several high schools, including West Hill Collegiate Institute and Birchmount Collegiate institute. But at just 17 years old, Abel made the difficult decision to drop out of high school to pursue his music full time with nothing else in his way.

Abel has always been open about his struggles in the education in not feeling supported when it came to the arts. He said it was boring & uninspiring to be there and found more inspiration & found he learned a lot more when he was wondering the streets of his home town, Scarborough. Abel eventually left home & moved to the Parkdale neighborhood of Toronto, where immersed himself in the city’s music scene and began experimenting with drugs, an experience that would later feature prominently in his lyrics.

When it came to music itself, Abel was definitely no stranger. Majority of his music, especially his earlier work, was inspired by many artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, R.Kelly and many more. As soon as he found his spark for his music, he quickly started making music in his room with a laptop, microphone and the other borrowed equipment.

In 2010 after uploading a couple songs on YouTube, The Weeknd was born. He had came up with the name in order to remain anonymous, mysterious, reflect his lifestyle, and something that was just simply him. He said he was inspired by a weekend when he and a friend decided to “drop out of school and never come back”.

The spelling was modified by dropping the “e” to avoid trademark issues with a Canadian band. His early musical endeavors involved uploading songs to his YouTube channel under the name “xoxxxoooxo”. While he was working on his music, Abel met & started working with producer Jeremy Rose. Soon after in 2011 when they started working on music together, The Weeknd finally released his first set of songs in a mixtape which would be known as “House of Balloons”.

Almost immediately, Abel saw immediate success as The Weeknd that in that same year, he released two more mixtapes titled “Thursday” & “Echoes of Silence”. And yet again, Abel saw immediate success yet again. He was praised for the unique production and especially his vocals. The way he was able to blend in rap & singing together so effortlessly is what had the people just wanting more & more. Abel was very quickly respected & seen as a leading figure in the music industry.

The following year, Abel made his first big move as an artist & decided to sign and release his first album with Republic Records.

His first debut album with the record label was named, “Kiss Land” which was released in 2013. He was receiving mixed reviews once it was released but despite that, the album still remained on the number two spot on the Billboard 200 chart ever since it was released. The album featured Drake which helped with boosting the album just a little bit more. The album alone helped pave the way for the artist we know & love.

Later in 2015 he came out with another album title, “Beauty Behind The Madness”. This album featured more collaborations with artists Ed Sheeran & Lana Del Rey. This was the album that for sure made his career take off to the moon. It also debuted on the Billboard 200 chart but this time in the number one spot. The album later reached certified platinum by the RIAA and won him his first two Grammys. Abel was creating his own world and were just living in it watching him continue to expand.

In 2016, he released yet another album with the title of, “Starboy”. It showcased a more upbeat & electronic sound, featuring collaborations with artists like Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, and Kendrick Lamar. The album was a commercial success yet again landing him the number one spot on the Billboard 200s chart when released.

In 2018, The Weeknd released the EP My Dear Melancholy, which reintroduced us to his more darker & introspective roots. All the songs explored the theme of heartbreak & longing which resonated with many if not all of his fans & critics alike. Songs like “Call Out My Name” received praise for its emotional intensity & raw vulnerability, demonstrating his versatility as an artist.

The Weeknds fourth studio album, After Hours, released in March 2020, which further propelled his career. With its moody, atmospheric soundscapes and cohesive narrative, the album was both a commercial campaign/drive & a critical darling. It featured chart topping singles like “Blinding Lights” and “Heartless” with “Blinding Lights” breaking records for its extended presence on the Billboard Hot 100. The albums exploration of themes such as fame, addiction, and self-destruction was applauded for its depth and complexity.

In 2021, The Weeknd continued to push boundaries with his work. He headlined the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show, delivering a performance that had many mixed reviews but nonetheless captivated a global audience.

In August of that year, he released his single “Take My Breath” which served as the lead single for his fifth studio album, Dawn Fm, which released in January 2022. Dawn Fm marked a new chapter in his career, featuring a concept centered around a fictional radio station that guides listeners through a journey towards the afterlife. The album, which includes collaborations with artists like Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, and Jim Carrey, received widespread acclaim for its cohesive narrative, innovative production, and exploration of themes such as existentialism and self-reflection.

Throughout 2022 & 2023, The Weeknd continued to push boundaries by collaborating with a variety of artists & engaging in creative ventures. He worked with Swedish House Mafia on “Moth to a Flame” and contributed to the soundtrack of the film Avatar: The Way of Water with the song “Nothing is Lost (You Give Me Strength)”. His ability to seamlessly blend his style with different genres and artists has kept his music fresh & relevant.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Abel ventured into acting & production. His introduction into acting began with a notable appearance in the 2019 crime thriller, Uncut Gems, directed by the Safdie Brothers. In the film, The Weeknd played a fictionalized version of himself, set in the early stages of his career. This role allowed him to explore a new facet of performance & was well received, highlighting his potential as an actor.

Building on this experience, The Weeknd took on a more significant project with HBO’s series The Idol. Co-created with Sam Levinson, known for his work on Euphoria, the series premiered in 2023. In The Idol, The Weeknd not only starred as the lead character but also co wrote & co produced the series. The show takes a dive in the dark & complex world of the music industry, exploring themes of fame, ambition, and the often toxic dynamics behind the scenes. The project was a major step for The Weeknd, demonstrating his ability to create compelling narratives and deep, character driven stories.

Through The Idol, The Weeknd showcased his acting chops, receiving praise for his ability to portray a multi faced character while maintaining the enigmatic presence that defines his musical persona. His involvement in the writing & production process also underscored his creative vision and commitment to storytelling.

Philanthropically, Abel has continued to make significant contributions to various causes. He has donated millions to organizations supporting racial equality, COVID-19 relief, global hunger and as of recently has donated millions to the rescue efforts in Gaza. His commitment to giving back has further endeared him to fans & solidified his reputation as not only a talented artist but also a socially conscious individual.

As of 2024, The Weeknd & Abel’s influence shows no signs of stopping. He remains a dynamic force in the music industry, continuously evolving his sound and exploring new creative avenues. His work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, ensuring his legacy as one of the most innovative and impactful artists of his generation.