The Weeknd: A Star Who Shines Bright

How Much Is The Weeknd Worth?

Let’s talk about The Weeknd. Born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, this Canadian artist has built an empire worth an estimated $300 million. His journey began on YouTube, where his raw talent caught the world's attention. Now, The Weeknd is a household name in the Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B scene. Known for his soulful voice and unique sound, he’s sold over 70 million records in the U.S. alone. And let’s not forget the awards—multiple Grammys, Junos, and Billboard honors, to name a few. But it’s not just music that’s padding his wallet. The Weeknd has dabbled in entrepreneurship with ventures like collaborations with big brands and his own XO line. When he's on tour, The Weeknd can rake in upwards of $90 million in a single year before taxes. That’s some serious cash!

Real Estate: Where Does The Weeknd Call Home?

The Weeknd has a taste for luxury, and his real estate portfolio reflects that. Back in December 2019, he dropped $21 million on a penthouse in Los Angeles with a stunning view of the Beverly Hills Country Club. That place comes with a hefty $6,800 monthly HOA fee, but hey, when you’ve got $300 million, it’s just pocket change. Before settling in LA, The Weeknd was renting a fancy triplex penthouse in New York City for $60,000 per month. He eventually listed it for $22.5 million in 2022 and sold it in 2023 for $19 million. Not a bad return on investment, right?

But that’s not all. The Weeknd also owned a sprawling estate in Hidden Hills, California. He bought it for $18 million in 2017, and it was no ordinary house. This 13,000-square-foot mansion boasted nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and even a 1,200-square-foot guest house. In 2020, he listed it for $25 million and sold it to none other than Madonna for $20 million. She later flipped it for $23 million. Talk about savvy moves in the real estate world!

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And if you think that’s impressive, wait till you hear about his Bel Air mansion. In August 2021, The Weeknd shelled out $70 million for a 33,000-square-foot property in Bel Air. This place is like a mini-resort, complete with an indoor pool, sports court, movie theater, gym, music studio, and outdoor pool. With a view of the Bel-Air Country Club, it’s safe to say this is where The Weeknd truly lives like a king.

Early Life: From Toronto to Stardom

Before he became The Weeknd, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye was just a kid growing up in Toronto, Ontario. Born on February 16, 1990, he was raised by his mother and grandmother after his parents separated. Abel's family has Ethiopian roots, and they emigrated to Canada in the late '80s. Despite the influence of religion and frequent visits to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abel's childhood wasn’t without its challenges. At the tender age of 11, he began experimenting with drugs, which later escalated into harder substances. To fund his addiction, he even resorted to committing crimes. School wasn’t much of a priority for him, and he eventually dropped out before finishing high school. But little did he know, his life was about to take a dramatic turn.

Breaking Into the Music Scene

Abel's stage name, The Weeknd, stems from a pivotal moment in his life. He left high school and his family's home over a weekend, never to return. Fast forward a few years, and he crossed paths with producer Jeremy Rose. Rose had been brainstorming the concept of "dark R&B" and saw Abel as the perfect artist to bring it to life. Together, they crafted several tracks, with Abel using monikers like "Kin Kane" and "The Noise." Jeremy allowed Abel to upload these songs to YouTube under the condition that he’d receive credit as a producer. It wasn’t long before The Weeknd started gaining traction, catching the eye of none other than Drake.

In 2011, The Weeknd released his debut mixtape, House of Balloons. This project featured collaborations with various producers, including Jeremy Rose, though he wasn’t credited at the time. The mixtape was a massive success, and it solidified The Weeknd’s place in the music industry. Drake, a fellow Canadian, became a vocal supporter, even attending The Weeknd’s early concerts. They eventually teamed up for a tour, with The Weeknd opening for Drake. After releasing two more mixtapes, major record labels came knocking, eager to sign him.

From Mixtapes to Mainstream: The Breakthrough

2012 was a pivotal year for The Weeknd. After touring across the U.S. and Europe, he inked a deal with Republic Records. This partnership also led to the creation of XO, The Weeknd’s own record label under Republic. The first major release under this venture was Trilogy, a compilation of his first three mixtapes. This time around, Jeremy Rose finally received the credit he deserved. The album performed exceptionally well, reaching number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

A year later, The Weeknd released his debut studio album, Kiss Land. Featuring collaborations with Drake, it debuted at number two on the Billboard Top 200. Over the next few years, The Weeknd worked with other big names like Justin Timberlake and Ariana Grande, all while hitting the road for extensive tours.

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His second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness, dropped in 2015 and was a game-changer. In its first week, it sold 412,000 units and claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200. It eventually went platinum, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide. The Weeknd made history by holding the top three spots on the Billboard Hot R&B Chart simultaneously with three platinum singles.

2016 saw the release of Starboy, featuring collaborations with the legendary Daft Punk. After more touring and collaborations, The Weeknd released My Dear Melancholy in 2018. He also set a Guinness World Record for the Most Streamed Album on Spotify in a single year. In 2020, he announced After Hours, followed by Dawn FM in 2022. The hits just keep coming!

Banking Big: The Weeknd’s Earnings

When it comes to making money, The Weeknd knows how to cash in. Between June 2017 and June 2018, he earned a jaw-dropping $90 million. The following year, he pulled in another $40 million from his various ventures. Whether it’s touring, collaborations, or business deals, The Weeknd is a financial powerhouse.

Music That Moves: The Weeknd’s Style

Though often grouped with rap and hip-hop artists, The Weeknd’s sound is all his own. Drawing inspiration from legends like Michael Jackson and Prince, his music blends indie and electronic elements with R&B. His lyrics tackle deep emotional themes, resonating with fans around the world. It’s no wonder he’s carved out such a unique niche in the music industry.

More Than Music: The Weeknd’s Business Ventures

The Weeknd isn’t just a singer—he’s a savvy businessman too. He’s teamed up with condom companies, e-cigarette manufacturers, and even Marvel. As one of the faces of Apple Music, he’s also a brand ambassador for Puma. His XO-branded merchandise is a hit among fans, and he’s collaborated with high-profile brands like A Bathing Ape and designers such as Alexander Wang. In the world of gaming, The Weeknd owns shares in esports company OverActive Media Group.

In 2020, he partnered with TD Bank to launch Black HXOUSE, though he served as a sleeping partner. The following year, he entered the NFT space, auctioning off visual artwork and an unreleased song on Nifty Gateway. He later joined Tom Brady’s NFT platform, Autograph, as a board member in 2021.

Behind the Curtain: The Weeknd’s Personal Life

When it comes to relationships, The Weeknd has had his share of high-profile romances. He dated supermodel Bella Hadid in 2015, but scheduling conflicts led to their breakup in 2016. He then started dating Selena Gomez in 2017, and the couple even lived together for a while before parting ways. Abel returned to Bella Hadid in 2018, but they split again in 2019. It’s a rollercoaster, isn’t it?

On the personal front, The Weeknd revealed in 2023 that he has ADHD. He’s also been a generous philanthropist, donating $1 million to relief efforts in Ethiopia through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in 2021. He even launched the XO Humanitarian Fund, pledging $1 from every ticket sold on his After Hours til Dawn Tour. Despite his charitable efforts, The Weeknd faced legal trouble in 2015 when he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Las Vegas. He served 50 hours of community service for that incident.

Awards Galore: Recognizing The Weeknd’s Talent

The Weeknd’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the years, he’s accumulated a staggering number of awards, including four Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy, 20 Billboard Awards, 22 Junos, six American Music Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards. He’s also been nominated for Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. It’s clear that The Weeknd is not only a star but a legend in the making.