The Weeknd
Spare, skeletal music is the eerie platform for an astonishing voice.
| Fact title | Fact data |
|---|---|
| Based in |
Toronto
|
| Age |
22
|
According to tastemakers, The Weeknd - otherwise known as 22-year-old Toronto-based singer Abel Tesfaye - has been on the cusp of a breakthrough for a while now.
First tipped by Pitchfork, NME and The Guardian in 2011, his initial introduction came via the release of his House Of Balloons mix tape.
That collection of heartfelt RnB songs earned him a nomination for Canada's Polaris Prize (their version of the Mercury Prize) and caught the ear of rapper Drake - who he'd later go on to work with.
Since then, he's kept a low-ish profile, largely due to a limited number of live shows and interviews.
But with the release of his debut album Trilogy (a compilation of his three mix tapes so far) in November, plus appearances on Later… With Jools Holland and a session with Radio 1's Zane Lowe, it's only now this unique voice appears to be meeting a wider audience.
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