Born in 1990, in Scarborough, Ontario, Abel Tesfaye has become one of the most recognizable artists in the world with his unique brand of synth-infused pop and R&B. Raised by his single mother and his grandmother, Tesfaye dropped out of high school at age 17 and worked retail jobs while beginning to write and record his music. By 2008 Tesfaye was already operating under the moniker of The Weeknd, and began recording demo tapes and songs in 2009 for other artists. 

The Weeknd quickly earned the attention and notoriety of fellow-Toronto artist, Drake, who praised Tesfaye’s music and budding career. In March of 2011, The Weeknd released his first album, House of Ballons, for free download, and was met with wide critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. In November of the same year, Tesfaye was featured on Drake’s Grammy-winning album Take Care, which featured the Weeknd as a vocalist and co-producer on two tracks, while co-writing three others. By the end of 2011, The Weeknd had cemented his place in the scene. 

With 5 major studio albums, 17 Juno Awards, and 4 Grammy Awards to his name, Abel Tesfaye reigns as one of the most-streamed artists in the world. In 2021, The Weeknd became the first Canadian artist to ever headline the Super Bowl halftime show, solidifying his status as a pop phenomenon. With involvements in many different businesses, Tesfaye also has a hand in the film industry, having acted and produced several productions. In the summer of 2020, Tesfaye partnered with TD Bank to launch Black HXOUSE, an entrepreneurial initiative within the Toronto-based incubator HXOUSE that aims to empower BIPOC individuals with mentorship, tools, and networking opportunities.