Abel Tesfaye

Abel Tesfaye is a Canadian pop star and global hitmaker who performs under the stage name The Weeknd. Known for his large-scale international tours and distinct creative eras, he has built a massive global audience through live performances and multi-year album storylines.

Coverage of Tesfaye has focused on the evolution of his music career and stage persona. After teasing that he might retire his famous moniker, Tesfaye clarified that he has no plans to walk away from music. Instead, he explained that he is taking a temporary break while wrapping up a multi-year creative narrative that he began building in 2020.

Tesfaye continues to headline major international venues, frequently premiering unreleased songs directly on stage. During his live shows, he introduced new tracks such as Rio and Tokyo, performing the latter alongside Japanese singer Yoko Takahashi. His concert productions have also generated headline attention, such as a fireworks display during a residency at Wembley Stadium that sparked public backlash following a UK wildfire alert.