The Weeknd
A shadowy R&B architect who reshaped pop's sound with his moody, atmospheric tales of hedonism and heartbreak.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian singer-songwriter·Birthday: February 16·Millennials
Biography
Abel Tesfaye emerged from the Toronto underground in 2010, anonymously uploading a series of dark, atmospheric mixtapes that felt like a secret. His voice—a haunting, elastic tenor—delivered lyrics steeped in the bleary aftermath of parties and fractured relationships, creating a new blueprint for alternative R&B. He masterfully maintained an enigmatic aura even as his popularity exploded, with albums like 'Beauty Behind the Madness' and 'After Hours' dominating global charts. More than just a hitmaker, Tesfaye crafts immersive worlds, using cinematic music videos and cohesive album narratives to explore themes of fame, excess, and redemption, solidifying his status as a defining musical voice of his generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
The was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When The Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
The's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His 2015 album 'Beauty Behind the Madness' spawned the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles 'Can't Feel My Face' and 'The Hills'.
- He broke the record for the most monthly listeners on Spotify, surpassing 100 million in 2023.
- His 2020 album 'After Hours' spent four consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200.
- He headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show in 2021.
- He won a Latin Grammy Award for his collaboration with Maluma on 'Hawái'.
Did You Know?
He took his stage name from a band he left behind, 'The Weekend', but dropped the 'e' to avoid copyright issues.
He dropped out of high school at age 17 and left home with his friend La Mar Taylor.
He co-wrote and is featured on Beyoncé's 2022 song '6 Inch' from her album 'Lemonade'.
He is a lifelong fan of the anime series 'Naruto' and has referenced it in his work.
He voiced a character in the 2019 animated film 'Uncut Gems', which starred Adam Sandler.
“I feel like I've always been an underdog. I've always been the guy that people didn't think was going to make it.”
