Let’s dive into the music genre of Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, widely known as The Weeknd.
The Weeknd was born in 1990, in Toronto, Canada.
He began his music career by releasing tracks anonymously on YouTube in 2009. Two years later, he founded his own record label, ‘XO’.
Over the past decade, The Weeknd has made a big impact on the music industry. His unique sound blends various musical genres.
He’s also joined forces with star musicians such as Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, and Travis Scott. Further cementing his name in the history books.
But what is The Weeknd’s music genre?
In this article, we discuss The Weeknd’s music genre, how his style has evolved, and other FAQs!
What Is The Weeknd’s Music Genre?
There’s quite a bit of discussion when it comes to defining The Weeknd’s specific music style..
The Weeknd’s music is highly influenced by the genre alternative R&B.
He pairs this with other genres though. For example, his hit song “Earned It” is a mix of a music style termed ‘chamber pop’ and R&B.
This cross-genre experimentation won him a Grammy in the Best R&B category.
Pop music also plays a big part in The Weeknd’s style. Pop elements can be heard in many of his songs, like “Can’t Feel My Face”.
His songs make good use of those easy-to-remember lyrics, a common feature in pop music.
The Weeknd also has a liking for Electronic Dance Music.
It is a genre that features beats meant for dancing, and it can be seen in tracks like “How Do I Make You Love Me?” and “Starboy”. His admiration for Daft Punk can also be felt.
The Weeknd’s music is a fusion of mainly music genres like R&B, pop, and EDM.
What Is The Weeknd’s Musical Evolution Throughout His Albums?
Trilogy (2012)
The Weeknd kicked-off his discography with a bang, releasing his debut compilation album, “Trilogy” in 2012.
The album has elements of alternative R&B with segments of soul. The compilation featured three mixtapes: “Echoes of Silence”, “House of Balloons”, and “Thursday.”
Most popular tracks:
- The Morning
- High For This
Kiss Land (2013)
In 2013, the momentum continued with the release of The Weeknd’s first studio album, “Kiss Land”.
The album saw him stay true to his original alternative R&B style but he included vibes of dark wave.
The album reflected his take on the gloomy side of fame.
Most popular tracks:
- Live For
- Professional
Beauty Behind The Madness (2015)
In 2015, The Weeknd released his second studio album, “Beauty Behind The Madness”. There was a slight shift in his musical style.
While he stayed true to his roots, he started experimenting with more pop elements.
The album also marked his entry into mainstream music with several chart-topping hits.
Most popular tracks:
- The Hills
- Can’t Feel My Face
Starboy (2016)
The music journey continued with the release of “Starboy” in 2016.
This album was a clear departure from his previous alternative R&B sounds. It leaned more into electronic and pop genres.
The album garnered him further recognition and popularity.
Most popular tracks:
- Starboy
- I Feel It Coming
After Hours (2020)
In 2020, The Weeknd introduced fans to “After Hours”.
An album focusing on ’80s-influenced beats and tunes.
This album brought a tinge of new wave and dream pop sounds, adding layers.
It also saw The Weeknd’s storytelling reaching new heights.
Most popular tracks:
- Blinding Lights
- In Your Eyes
Dawn FM (2022)
The most recent addition to his discography is the fifth studio album, “Dawn FM”.
This album kept the ’80s beats from “After Hours” but explored more synth-pop and dance-pop genres.
Most popular tracks:
- Is There Someone Else?
- Out Of Time
What Are Frequently Asked Questions About The Weeknd?
What is The Weeknd’s most popular album?
All of The Weeknd’s albums have played a big part in his music career.
But “After Hours” is probably his most famous one as it smoothly combines different music styles.
What is The Weeknd’s most popular song?
“Blinding Lights” is probably his most famous song.
It made him a leading name in the music industry.
Who are artists similar to The Weeknd?
If you’re fan of The Weeknd, you might also like music from artists like Zayn, Post Malone, or Khalid.
They all mix different music genres in their songs, creating that mix of alternative R&B.
Conclusion
In summary, The Weeknd has established himself in the music world. Exploring different types of music, he breaks free from traditional genres.
From the deep sounds of alternative R&B, to the energetic beats of pop, and the dance-inducing rhythms of EDM.
When you listen to The Weeknd’s music, you’re guaranteed to be vibing.