The Weeknd

The Weeknd in 2015, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye

Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Date of Birth: February 16, 1990

Ethnicity: Amhara Ethiopian

The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. His songs include “Earned It,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” “The Hills,” “Starboy,” “Die For You,” “Blinding Lights,” “Heartless,” “Save Your Tears,” “Take My Breath,” “Sacrifice,” “Out of Time,” and “Less than Zero.” He has often used the falsetto register, and has created music in the pop, R&B, alternative R&B, hip hop, dance, new wave, and dream pop styles. He founded the XO record label, and co-created and starred in the series The Idol. The Weeknd has sold over 75 million records worldwide. He has been a World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador since 2021, and is an advocate against racism and food insecurity. He is also known as The Noise, Kin Kane, and by his birth name Abel Tesfaye.

The Weeknd’s parents, Samrawit Hailu and Makkonen Tesfaye, are Ethiopian. He is fluent in Amharic, a Semitic language spoken in Ethiopia. Growing up, he attended services at an Ethiopian Orthodox church. He was raised in Scarborough, and attended a French-immersion school. The Weeknd grew up listening to soul, quiet storm, hip hop, funk, indie rock, and post-punk.

The Weeknd’s paternal grandfather is named Tesfaye.

The Weeknd’s maternal grandmother is named Hailu.