The Evolution of The Weeknd

From Internet mystery to R&B's next star.

The Evolution of The Weeknd - The Weeknd is finally here. No, not Friday night through Sunday evening — but something almost as good. The Weeknd, the Drake-affiliated singer from Toronto, is graduating from Internet sensation to major-label artist with Trilogy, which drops today, Nov. 13. But it took more than a mere five weekdays to get to this big moment. Click on to follow the evolution of The Weeknd. —Alex Gale(Photo: Universal Republic Records)
Initiation - The Weeknd was born Abel Tesfaye on February 16, 1990. He's of Ethiopian descent, but was raised in Toronto, Ontario.(Photo: Universal Republic Records)
Next - The Weeknd started out making straight-ahead R&B, but things began to click when he turned left toward his current dark, drowsy emo-soul blend. The new sound impressed fellow Toronto native Drake and his OVO crew, who were early backers of the young singer.(Photo: facebook/theweeknd)House of Balloons - The Weeknd leaked his first release, the nine-song House of Balloons, for free via his personal website in March 2011. (Photo: XO Records)

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The Evolution of The Weeknd - The Weeknd is finally here. No, not Friday night through Sunday evening — but something almost as good. The Weeknd, the Drake-affiliated singer from Toronto, is graduating from Internet sensation to major-label artist with Trilogy, which drops today, Nov. 13. But it took more than a mere five weekdays to get to this big moment. Click on to follow the evolution of The Weeknd. —Alex Gale(Photo: Universal Republic Records)

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