The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) is a Canadian recording artist and producer. His style relies heavily on R&B, funk, and pop to create his own unique sound. His music is noticeably influenced by artists like Prince and Michael Jackson.

Tesfaye first found notoriety in 2010, uploading homemade videos to the YouTube site under the name “The Weeknd”. He released several mixtapes and a compilation album independently before releasing his critically acclaimed debut “Kiss Land” in 2013. His 2015 album, “Beauty Behind the Madness”, spawned three singles which held the top three spots on the Billboard R&B charts, a feat unachieved by any other artist at the time.