The Insane True Story of The Weeknd

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:51 Weeknd's Early Life And Musical Beginnings
06:49 House of Balloons & Trilogy
10:52 Kiss Land
14:07 Beauty Behind the Madness
19:35 Starboy
23:10 After Hours
30:36 Dawn FM
41:15 Conclusion
BIO OF THE WEEKND:
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (Amharic: አበል መኮነን ተስፋዬ; born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. A prominent figure in contemporary popular music, he is noted for his unconventional music production, artistic reinventions, and his signature use of the falsetto register. His accolades include four Grammy Awards, twenty Billboard Music Awards, twenty-two Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, and nominations for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Born and raised in Toronto, Tesfaye began his career in 2009 by anonymously releasing music on KZbin. Two years later, he co-founded the XO record label and released the mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, which gained recognition for his style of contemporary and alternative R&B and the mystique surrounding his identity. In 2012, he signed with Republic Records and rereleased the mixtapes in the compilation album Trilogy. He explored dark wave in his debut studio album Kiss Land (2013), which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. After its release, Tesfaye began contributing to film soundtracks, with his acclaimed single "Earned It" from Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) winning the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, while also being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Tesfaye earned critical and commercial success with his pop-leaning second album Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), which reached number one in the US, contained the US Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills", and won the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album and was nominated for Album of the Year. His trap-infused third studio album Starboy (2016) saw similar commercial success and included the US number-one single of the same name and "Die For You", and won the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Tesfaye explored new wave and dream pop with his critically acclaimed fourth studio album After Hours (2020), which featured the chart record-setting single "Blinding Lights" and the US number-one singles "Heartless" and "Save Your Tears". His dance-pop inspired fifth album Dawn FM (2022) included the US top-ten single "Take My Breath".
Among the world's best-selling music artists with over 75 million records sold, Tesfaye holds several streaming and Billboard chart records. He is the first Canadian artist to earn four diamond-certified singles from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as the first artist to simultaneously hold the top three spots on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Blinding Lights" became the most-streamed song in Spotify history, and is ranked as the greatest Hot 100 song in Billboard history. Tesfaye was listed by Time as one of the world's most influential people in 2020, and was dubbed the "world's most popular artist" by Guinness World Records in 2023. An advocate for racial equality and food security, he was appointed a World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador in 2021.
#volksgeist #theweeknd #afterhours #dawnfm #blindinglights #heartless #music #videoessay
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[@Volksgeist]

Follow me on Twitch for daily streams reacting to viewers music and more! twitch.tv/volksgoat

[@ReuniteWithDivinity]

Thank you very very much for your hard work.

[@rishikbhardwaj7335]

Make one on Chris brown and Xxxtentacion.

[@oktobersown82]

1 of my favorites as well, AND the delivery of this video was 👏 amazing you look so young

[@alfreddreamerphotocomics4880]

Great work. You added a lot of details and images, videos that I hadn’t seen before on The Weeknd. He’s probably my favorite mainstream artist right now. I also like Trevor Something. His subject matter is similar to The Weeknd’s, but he’s independent, and his sound is different. One of my favorite songs by him id “Living In The Lie”. Check it out sometime.

[@theharshtruthoutthere]

@@alfreddreamerphotocomics4880 Souls, KNOW: Hollywood is filled with: John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

[@hags8652]

DawnFM will become one of those albums people find years later and realize it was so good. DawnFM is a thematic masterpiece and great continuation of After Hours.

[@Isaac-ul8yz]

This. It’s the album that actually made me a Stan of The Weeknd despite me listening to him for years

[@gloriatak8806]

me personally dawnFM is not my style but yes it does have potential

[@samrodriguez3515]

I agree with this 100%! At first Dawn fm didn’t really resonate with me but now I feel obligated to listen to it right after I finish after hours 😂

[@dasoulspott]

👀check us out to stay ahead of underrated music trends🎶⛽‼

[@Kryptonization]

Still his worst album

[@wiiplaya25]

So we’re just gonna skip over My Dear Melancholy? He had a ballad with Call out my name and even a hit with I Was Never There. It feels odd leaving that out

[@tokintee]

I was searching for this comment. Glad I found it. 💯

[@luvvs]

I think it was bcs it was just an EP instead of an album. Still personally sad that it wasn't talked about, and even generally.

[@Giarc_h]

@@luvvs It hit #1 even as an EP. Its important to his story! But this video was amazing nonetheless...just can't help feeling it's incomplete

[@NPGLAMB]

It’s an EP

[@therealthomasperkins]

@@luvvs my guy he’s included songs in his tours from it since its release like 💀

[@suiiuu]

he has truly made hits, after hits, after hits.... he was born for this

[@Hood-boi0_0]

Fr

[@ER-co2de]

Am I the only one that absolutely LOVED the sound of starboy? Every song is unique and complete by itself. My favorite album!

[@oceanwaves2244]

same!!

[@Sunskat19]

I love Starboy! 👌 I also have to admit that I am a huge Daft Punk though..

[@adrianag9939]

That’s my favorite too!

[@xxspector_crowxx7621]

@@Sunskat19legend grew up on them and they are the reason I even heard of the weeknd so respect mate :)

[@savitar7869]

Its been my favorite weekend album since its release

[@aleemuddin6240]

Kissland is that one album. That feels like it’s not good when you listen to it first time, but as the time passes on you will only fall in love with it.

[@karaartishon9088]

Yesssss

[@skinnytv1242]

Literally, adaptation into love in the sky is insane

[@suavoman90]

Especially with Pretty and Love in the Sky

[@user-to9ye2xg9u]

Kissland is a masterpiece

[@SteezyKane]

What a masterpiece of a video, the motion graphics, the structuring, the sound design especially on the intro… wow. great job🫡

[@kingdiazz4789]

hi steezy

[@automaticpinion]

Still, no upload 😢

[@qlip]

you fell off btw

[@Jesus-st8ph]

WASSUP STEEZY

[@SneakySonn]

Upload steezy

[@jakemcman1858]

I will never forget the first time I heard the Weeknd back in 2012. Wicked Games had just started blowing up on the radio. Felt like the man was reaching into my soul

[@gregorie3752]

Ikkkk!!!

[@gregorie3752]

Me too!!!

[@anitavolpato3926]

I found it on KZbin. Never heard it on the radio..

[@neibyatkifle7406]

Ik me too

[@stavoxo4899]

Wicked games played on the radio going home from black Friday shopping and that’s when I became a fan 🎈

[@koutoo]

abel literally could just give up on his whole old fanbase in exchange for a mainstream one man this dude is some sort of magician, he literally brought both mainstream and old fanbases together and still hasn't lost his unique touch, his songs just never decreased their quality but i could even say they got better over time

[@Medusaxo]

I know MDM was short and lacked visuals/storytelling so it’s hard to document and write about, but I wish it at least had a mini segment. The only body of music where I can confidently say there are absolutely no skips. It was raw, dirty, and probably the most vulnerable writing we’ll ever see from him. Besides that, the production on this one was incredible. Please never stop evolving. You are cementing a new production style that I’m sure will inspire many other creators to put this kind of effort into these docu-essays.

[@ArakiForgot]

One of my favorites for sure I was sad to se it go unmentioned especially by someone with Lip’s vernacular when it comes to expressing how the art made him feel and the soundscape of the project

[@ordinaryrapper08]

It’s my fav album

[@MichelangeloBeats]

Agreed, MDM is a 10/10 for me

[@0xBasedChang]

ogs and trilogy

[@aylamoon3788]

It’s an EP not an album, that’s why it lacks the things u were talking about

[@sigmamale-sm3wi]

I don't know why I feel so proud that I found him before he took over the world it's like "your homie made it and you are so proud" moment XO forever ♾️

[@BlkbunniOrg]

It’s very few artist I can say I saw their career reach amazing heights I remember the first time I actually saw the “Wicked Game” music video in TV I was so hype

[@ajjordan2213]

I swear I feel the same. I discovered him thru a ringtone app. His album wasnt even out but some songs were on that app. I guess he was just trying to put his music on anything that would accept it. I remember looking for those songs on KZbin n it was him but not with his falsetto voice. He sounded like a normal r&b artist. 3 months later he dropped echoes of silence n glass table girls. He blew up quick but it was weird how I discovered him. That app was for ringtones but they would have full songs. A lot of no name rappers would use drake or lil Waynes song title or name n when u would download it u would see it wasn't Drake or lil Wayne it was some random trying to rap. That's how it was with the weeknd except I actually liked it

[@NikkiMarie9088]

Ditto!!!!!! I been listening to him since BEFORE he blew the F up & I'm jus SOOOOO GLAD HE FINALLY GOT HIS CHANCE TO BLOW & REACH BILLIONS BC I LOVE HIM & HIS MUSIC SO DA*N MUCH!!!

[@alexiskimberly]

I’m so upset a lot of people don’t appreciate the Trilogy album. The first song I heard by him was High for this & immediately became obsessed. I remember not even knowing what he looked like at first. Then when kissland dropped I think it really solidified my love for his music, sound, ambiance & story telling. The lore behind this man is insane and it was cool to watch unfold before my eyes in the beginning.

[@Ray-uu8gd]

I was looking for this comment! Hands down Trilogy is THE BEST! I remember buying the album as soon as it hit the stores. Then KissLand came through bring my second fave also purchased. All as CD’s before Spotify becoming a thing. Now, I dunno. I’d say, more mainstream.

[@elidieslit]

xo fans definitely appreciate it

[@lay_laa24]

House of balloons is literal fucking crack. I can’t tell you how much I’m obsessed with it. It’s pretty much perfect and some of his best work for me. More people definitely need to appreciate trilogy more!

[@brieannaanderson8037]

Agreed!! Kissland was the last physical album I ever purchased.

[@brandeetaylor5505]

The best

[@RollerSkatinActor]

I'm 57 and grew up with old school hip hop and r&b. Every time he comes out with new music I think to myself there is no way that he can top what he's released before and then I am always astounded.

[@user-og9vk2up5i]

Senza nulla togliere all'artista ricordiamoci che su di lui sono stati investiti tanti tanti e poi tanti soldi....senza di cio' "no success"....

[@logarithm14]

the weeknd is always evolving; it’s truly been a *privilege* to see him exercise his creativity

[@otinauj]

this is why he’s my favorite artist, the genuine darkness in his music, his haunting and angelic voice, and of course, being an incredible artist. it’s a shame that he’s just known as this “pop star “ and doesn’t get the recognition he deserves (i know he’s the #1 streamed artist on spotify right now) but in my mind he’s still feels so underrated compared to a “ariana grande” to say. I love this man so much. XOTWOD

[@lacewavy]

Definitely not underrated Man

[@urdadsfinsta]

Ariana is 6th on Spotify & he’s #1, sorry you’re wrong

[@Paulos14.]

I truely understand what you mean he is talked about but not on kanye or no offence drakes level well for now

[@otinauj]

@@lacewavy for his artistry he is, he’s just seen as a pop star but he’s so much more than that and it’s unfortunate just seeing him be discredited but i mean it’s not really the consumers fault, pop music is easy to listen to

[@otinauj]

@@urdadsfinsta i didn’t mean numbers wise, i just meant as in big fandom praise as an ariana grande, that wasn’t a diss towards her i just tried to point out a pop artists that is well received

[@AprylsWRLD]

I've never cried so hard in my life. The Weekend's tale is really encouraging because I experienced a nearly same upbringing as him. I love music, I sing and write, I smoke pot, and this actually made me feel like I could do it too, despite the fact that I came from nothing.

[@serenity__now]

you can and you will

[@mehdadjafari]

Bless us with ur creations

[@jennikaasinen9156]

Where can I listen to your music? 😊

[@amypetrie7712]

girl you CAN do it I dont know you but I believe in you

[@chiarac3833]

The people who really have a story are typically your best artists. Think about Johnny Cash or Janis Joplin. No suburban posh life kid is going to have anywhere near the type of experience you need to tell a story. That's a fact.

[@johnnydematteis8657]

in my opinion, after hours and dawn fm are both absolutely genius, masterpieces. Abel is on a whole other level of success, untouchable. in fact, my ringtone on my phone is "heartless" and i very often let my phone ring and ring and ring just to listen to the song.

[@indianstarboy]

I felt so sad when other fandoms drag him so bad by saying he's chart obsessed. He's one of the greatest of this century

[@balabushkabandit2663]

He is.

[@bp2000k]

He is just greatness. I don’t care how much sells he got. One Of The Best Ever💯

[@maubie3028]

​@@balabushkabandit2663 how?

[@aspekt438]

Hes definitely not he’s very unique even tho I didn’t enjoy Dawn fm overall he’s a crazy good artist

[@demininc]

@@balabushkabandit2663 you acting like Taylor Swift, drake(who has stolen from The Weeknd) , nicki Minaj , and other artist aren’t

[@ajtaylor8750]

I gotta be real with you, Philip: this is the best video you've ever created on your channel. This is a true work of art all around and it tells the Weeknd's story to this point in poignant, detailed fashion. As someone who began listening to his music around the time he dropped Starboy, he quickly grew on me and is now one of my favorite artists maybe ever and "After Hours" is his magnum opus. I listen to that album often but "My Dear Melancholy" is one of my favorite projects he's made and I can't wait to see him evolve even more in the future. The guy's a living legend.

[@wm9904]

I am 100% in agreement.

[@nilem7734]

trilogy solos after hours

[@ouroboroscartel8079]

@@nilem7734 yeah I was finna say even just house of balloons by itself but tbh Abel is fkin top notch regardless of project so it's good he's evolving his sound 💯💯💯

[@generaltheory]

And it lasts 11 years

[@philipsmi-lenguyen8155]

Thank u so much. Means alot to me. Lol

[@NagaFTW]

Dissapointed at the fact that My Dear Melancholy was completely wiped out of existence, like the EP doesn't exist. It's one of my favorite EPs of all time and it symbolizes the return of The Weeknd's dark Trilogy aesthetic, but modernized and perfected. An amazing piece of work.

[@thegamingxin6043]

I'm so proud of him. Abel is my icon. I can't believe the amount of struggle he's gone through and his success despite all of that. we all love Abel. XO

[@RoSe-Belle.XO_13]

Yes true words and proud of him too💯💪❤ ♥︎ *XO*

[@azgaming4532]

The Weeknd is just a legend this man is talented his vocals are amazing and the album production is just out of the world he deserves the fame that he got. I’m glad I been a Weeknd fan since 2015 XOTWOD

[@jimbob2427]

I find it amazing that he is the biggest artist currently. I feel like he wasn’t big big till 2020 and the fact that Dawn fm didn’t do that well and he is still the biggest artist shows his staying power

[@brayanvillanueva7527]

Dawn FM was getting more attention in multiple foreign countries nine months after it came out. I feel like the album will get more attention from other people in the next few years like Starboy. Starboy had really gotten attention now in comparison to 2016

[@jimbob2427]

@@brayanvillanueva7527 at least starboy had 2 hits when it released

[@Sniped137]

take my breath and sacrifice were both big hits tho + out of time kinda

[@jimbob2427]

@@Sniped137 take my breath and sacrifice never made the top 5 on billboard. Sacrifice didn’t even make the top 10. They made no noise, at least compared to after hours

[@alyssagreenwood7695]

Dawn FM really needs to be listened to as a complete album & concept versus an individual song or single. It’s insanely creative & cinematic and most people just don’t get it. I also think that’s why I love it so much. Because it takes me back to when The Weeknd was mysterious and you really got into the themes of his music. Abel is a genius. The amount of thought that goes into each of his “eras” is pretty much unheard of nowadays. You never know what he’s going to do next. ❤

[@Zangy]

Fr I’ve it was a great album

[@vypervfx7519]

people hate on it for prolly the transitions with speeches thats what i think cause the tracks were spot on , amazing .

[@feloven]

​@@vypervfx7519 I really love the speech ones cuz it feels like ASMR

[@Butterflyeffect98]

Oui c'est l'une des meilleures incroyable 💗

[@terrancepemberton4648]

I'm a metal head...not been much into rap or r&b for years but The Weeknd is an exception. I think he's a damn good artist and I really enjoy a large portion of his music. He's dope, and I have no doubt he's gonna remain successful for years to come.

[@FWDSUXARSE]

I too am a metal head but always have enjoyed different genres for the music that personally speaks to me. In my eyes, good music is just good music. It's cool that you can see that as well.

[@thatisntryan]

I don't think Dawn FM failed. While it didn't sell as much as his other albums, they accomplished international appeal. Abel was going to perform in arenas for his After Hours tour before the pandemic caused its cancellation. But after Dawn FM (and in conjunction with After Hours) he was able to tour in Stadiums (3x the capacity of arenas) around the US and Internationally. Synth Pop/Dance beats has a bigger cultural impact outside of America.

[@JK-gm6kk]

Daft punk is French btw

[@elidieslit]

loved watching the after hours til dawn tour in washington

[@melissaanthonyxb2730]

Another Thing I would like to Add that Made the Weeknd have such a unique and attractive image: He rarely does interviews and let's his music speak for himself. I have personally felt that when artists make music and then later do interviews on it, it somewhat feels detached. The Weeknd has very vulnerable and personal music and tbh Music with "problematic" themes and it feels raw and real. And you are always questioning if what he sings about is what his personality is like because he doesn't look like your average fuckboy with a dark past and addiction issues. He genuinely looks and talks like a sweet, introverted and Decent soul but his music which is based off of personal experience is quite contradictory to the assumptions that can be made about him.

[@anduagg7193]

Yes: a thing to be noted. He talks like a nice guy.

[@MadNlGER]

Yes soooo “problematic” red flag 🚩 girl yasss let’s cancel him 🙄

[@anduagg7193]

@@MadNlGER Hahahahaha lol

[@ryze2499]

its crazy how my mom and Abel's mom were in school together at the time when Echoes of Silence first dropped, and he was getting some buzz here in Toronto but not mainstream yet. All she told me was that her classmate's son is a music artist who worked with drake and I instantly knew "its The Weeknd!?" then she helped me get an autograph from him!

[@alensuta]

Crazy!

[@KEVINRODRIGUEZ-wc3fe]

Unfathomable!

[@AImaniaX]

No song can ever top blinding lights because it came out during the pandemic and honestly it was perfect timing! His feeling of loneliness and depression and wanting to end things registered to so many people! So many of us were isolated from society and there was a time you had to stay inside. I remember the first time listening to it on the radio and was so delighted! It reminded me of Take on Me from Ah Ha and instantly I was hooked! I have been a fan of The Weeknd since starry but this song was different! It was so retro 1980s yet it was for our time at the same time during this pandemic. To this day I have a hard.... time believing it wasn't made when the pandemic hit, just because it was so relatable to so many people, it's like that song came out at the perfect time when we were all struggling. That was a dark time and people were losing loved ones, their homes, their jobs. Yet that was the song that was like wow......I can get through this, I feel this!

[@leonardvanonselen]

Then you should listen to Fred Again - Maria (we've lost dancing)

[@ryan_the_editor6741]

Mj thriller album alone beats anything abel made

[@dayandayanNf]

As ethopian we will pray for him .....he made a blinded light for the devil May God be with him fr

[@SunlitSummer-em2us]

Speaking of this, I have to say, both After Hours and Dawn FM saved my life man. I was in mental breakdown that time, went crazy that lost my mind, very very hard time, especially in 2021, wanted to end the hard feelings I've been through. Then 2022 I discovered his album on Apple Music, and boom, it's like the thing that I could cry on, like a friend.

[@lucidmind9676]

Trilogy and Kissland were The Weeknd’s best eras, the many interpretations of each album is what makes them classics. I love Kissland so much that I got Oxy the cat/panda tatted on my wrist

[@BiGSiX56]

Gaaaahaayyyyyyyy

[@sleep6837]

Abel is my favorite artist. I'm so happy you're doing a deep dive on his life and career. XO

[@tracey0820]

I grew up with The Weeknd honestly. Been here since 2011 with him. Kiss land will always be personal favorite album of his, but I feel like I always saw the vision of him and I am happy he finally got the success he deserves. He has such a deep place in my heart.

[@aspenlovesbirds]

Dawn FM is DEFINITELY at its best when listened to in its entirety. It can be really hard to take a snippet of a flowing project like that and jump in! But it's the first The Weekend album that spoke to me deeply and is by FAR my favorite. I hope more people will give it a shot. This video is incredible, you have a wonderful format!! Thank you!

[@matttheking1655]

Glad you mentioned his original producer Jeremy Rose aka zodiac, he was the backbone for the original weeknd sound. Sad that they had a fallout…His produce tracks on house of balloons still remains some of the best tracks…

[@joopjoop12345]

yd they fallout?

[@jaedenalvarez3261]

Abel probably has one of the most inspiring come up stories in music. Literally complete obscurity to THE biggest is unbelievable. Perfect vid as always volksgeist!

[@SandwichNBooks]

saw The Weeknd in concert in Oakland. Was a high school freshman sitting in the nosebleeds… one of the best moments of my life so far. Will never forget travis scott opening, jamming out to can’t feel my face.. amazing

[@rickyr35channel76]

KISSLAND TO ME PERSONALLY IS THE WEEKNDS MASTER PIECE. HIS BEST ALBUM

[@aj3k840]

Damn, I remember back in 2012, one of my teammates was talking about The Weeknd, so I listened to one of his songs and I couldn’t really get into it. But then I really started to listen to his lyrics and I’m not sure what exactly it was but the kind of nihilistic tone of his lyrics and the emptiness with which he would tell his life stories just kind of made me connect. Once I understood the lyrics, everything else made sense, the dark presence, the underlying sadness and the indifference towards life in his songs, portrayed by the instrumental choices and unusual rhythms and beats. Everything clicked and he’s been my favorite artist ever since. I hope to be able to thank him one day, for being there in my darkest times, my brightest shining moments and yet again at my lowest. XO

[@itsme3k]

It was love at first listen for me. I was blown away.

[@ezra6563]

Must've taken huge amounts of research to make this one. You are taking your content to the next level with the longer videos so keep going Philip 👍

[@phip_]

great name

[@David_liba]

During a road trip through France in 2015, I stumbled upon The Weeknd's two hit song Can't Feel My Face and The Hills and them played on a loop, creating an unforgettable soundtrack for my journey. Coincidentally, he dropped the album during that time, deepening my admiration for his artistry. Since then, The Weeknd has remained a constant favorite, his music continuing to resonate with me to this day. Each of his albums serves as a poignant reflection of the specific chapter in my life at the time.

[@lucienpavone3443]

house of balloons is in my top five records of all time but after hours is a masterpiece

[@ajayyxo]

Kiss Land is his misunderstood masterpiece, his best album

[@chrisgaines6369]

I was lukewarm on The Weeknd until the after-hours album came out. I bought the CD and realize the album was a masterpiece. And then Dawn FM came out and I feel the same way about that one. I am excited to see where he takes the trilogy. He truly has grown as an artist and his last two albums are absolutely perfect

[@Rvggerr]

People were thinking I was soft for listening to House of balloons in 2011. And then he became this legend. I just knew what was real.

[@tif]

I disagree with the "most popular songs aren't that good", I think most popular songs are popular for a reason

[@maxreyes8563]

Why didn't you talk about "My Dear Melancholy"? i know it's just an EP but i think the content and the context it's important for the development of The Weeknd's character. Amazing video btw, much love

[@elbluntoinstrumento5699]

Been a fan since 2020, still blasting this guy 90% of my day since. One in a generation kinda guy. He´s got it.

[@Cherixo_]

Kissland was amazing literally every album he’s put out has been amazing

[@chrismaniaci9728]

Amazing detailed content. I stumbled upon this while I was jaded looking for some Weekend videos. ❤

[@drphilgood8262]

absolutely loved this video , beautiful crafted and well told in capturing every detail and moment of Abels rich history. one aspect i wished you would’ve included that literally no one talks about is how After Hours literally released at the best possible time. with the world being shut down and streets empty , just sad and confused by yourself at home and having the first song be “ Alone Again “ just simply hit different and was truly a fitting and unique experience. After Hours had that nostalgia that reminisce with so many of us during those dark and troubling times. which was fitting for the dawn to arise afterwards :))

[@infusedsync]

i can see this video being your most popular one, great story telling with amazing visuals. great job volksgeist!

[@stepY0gameup]

This was by far the best biography I seen made for The Weeknd. Superb. 👍🏽 SUB

[@ElyWaves.]

Just found your videos, killing it bro. Super in depth and tells an awesome story. Keep it up!

[@kowloonbroadcast]

great video. i am quite far from a true r&b-pop appreciator, mostly focused on alternative scene throughout my life, but the weekend interested me from around 2015 when i happened to see/hear his stuff. i’ve always wanted to dive deeper into the discography, but by this time his output is already so massive that it’s quite difficult to decide where to start lol, so the idea was postponed. i honestly even have watched 2-3 documentaries here on YT, got an idea of who the man is and his story, but none of the videos seemed to emphasise on any highlights, mostly just stories behind the albums, etc. this one is the first that practically helped me to put together a playlist based on the short bits of tracks that were featured here. many thanks for this, my man! needless to say the video was clearly produced with a soul, it was a pleasure to watch. it’s just a great work by itself as a representative of the bio/documentary genre film. truly a gem. keep doing, the world will benefit from creations of this level of quality! *thanks again* 🙏🏼

[@HoodedSpidey]

Thanks for making yet another incredible video! Dawn FM is also my 2nd favorite Weeknd album, and I cannot wait to hear the conclusion of this new trilogy.

[@ReuniteWithDivinity]

Thanks for all your time and hard work!

[@user-re1lu4nv9o]

One of my favorite too. Thanks Phillip. Great documentaries!

[@isathemusiclistener]

your storytelling is top tier. hadn’t realised 40 minutes had passed until i reached the end of the video. keep it up⛹🏽‍♂️

[@troyluvisi5608]

u went off on the editing. whole production is a solid 10; great work.

[@evadowney6967]

Beautifully Done! I Love His Style and Uniqueness, but to learn more about him through this video was truly an amazing journey. Thank You 🙏 ❤

[@fabiennem.7666]

Wow i loved your video! Such a great storytelling

[@jafarhasan5861]

The art direction and visual design of this video is absolutely amazing. Second to none. This channel always has fantastic presentation but this is a whole another level!!

[@SethGreschuk]

Seen him on his first tour ever and it was like 30$ was front row people were blazing the weed up and how fitting the first song was HIgh For This. Dudes always been a legend!

[@austins.2495]

This was really inspiring, thanks for the video and thank you Abel for being an inspiration 💪

[@alejandroGarcia-if4wz]

Been a long time Weeknd fan, and your dedication towards his journey is excellent! Love your work man

[@DanielRayTrindade]

This is a well structured and incredibly insightful video essay my man 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I understand you didn’t go too in-depth with EPs aside from Trilogy but I was eagerly awaiting an in-depth review of my favourite EP, “My Dear Sweet Melancholy” 😅

[@eliaskhan8910]

I remember listening to the hills and can’t feel my face when I was like 11 and loving it. Came back years later and realized I had no clue what I was listening to, gave me a whole new experience listening when I understood the actual content of the song.

[@Ferbals]

Loved the video! Just had to note that I left half way through to listen to "Hills Have Eyes" when you played it. I forgot about that one so I ended up listening to the whole album. Sorry and thank you😅❤

[@deedub4954]

Wow. Brilliant. This makes me understand his stuff in such a different light. Thanks for your time and thoughtfulness

[@Emislom]

I just saw him live for my 18th in london on the 07/07/2023 after waiting for around 4 years to see him, what a great performer as well as a musician ❤

[@neosan3002]

I think what matters is he started as a recording artist for other singers. He really understood what works and what doesn’t in the recording industry at the time. Really smart guy

[@scheibinator]

Wow. You are incredible at this. I subscribed. Everything you did was impeccable; you told a story that was engaging at every step of the way. I know people now flip through videos and anything over 30 seconds is skipped, but I felt compelled to watch every second of this. Bravo! Keep up the spectacular, breathtaking work you do.

[@damonbeddingfield2958]

Great video man, I enjoyed it and recognize your work ;). you got a new sub.

[@sophiamendez8742]

his old music had so much pain n passion he is truly talented

[@lavrnce]

this video is absolutely stunning. I really appreciate you taking us back and through the different eras Abel has gifted us with.. hopefully you recieve the credit you deserve for this absolut banger of a video (or documentary)!

[@4DMIIR]

Swedish House Mafia had a big influence too on dawn FM,it's so annoying when people ain't crediting them enough. It's heavily influenced by their unique club beats and if you know their work,you know what I'm talking about.

[@joeybray9043]

Exellent video dude !!! really well put together !!

[@MoriohAnime]

I really appreciate how honest you are in these videos. Even if you’d know some people would disagree you still keep it a buck. I also love the research and detail you put into these videos. Keep it going much love 💙🫶🏽

[@DeathcriestooLaceup]

I've been listening to The Weeknd since 2011. It's crazy to see him go so damn far! I remember riding around at night in high school with all my friends jamming to the wicked games, the morning after, remember you with wiz Khalifa. So many more too!

[@MarcusDixon-fb8mv]

You put the beginning of this together very well thanks much man ima huge Weeknd fan and almost forgot about the beginning when he helped me w my own pain

[@GRACIOUSMUBVAKURE-wn2xc]

Gud works keep producing more

[@shaneforshort]

Incredible work fella, new sub 👍👍

[@barry4649]

I’d rank his albums like this: 1. House of Balloons 2. Kiss Land 3. After Hours 4. Echoes of Silence 5. Thursday 6. Dawn FM 7. My Dear Melancholy 8. Beauty Behind The Madness 9. Starboy But every album is at least a 7/10 to me

[@hootie360productions2]

Excellent job on the video Phil 💯

[@michaelking2790]

I enjoyed this, I've been trying to find out about Able. This has been very informative and helped me understand and love him even more. Thank you for this commentary!

[@linaa4835]

Great documentary. Not many people know the underground roots of The Weeknd or that he’s been around for already a decade! He has changed his beats in the most recent years but it’s worked out for the better because look at how large his fan base is now compared to 2013.

[@cynthia06rubio]

Wow nicely done. I've been a fan of Abel since he was a just a youtube artist. He is truly an artist, creative and those vocals. He is incredible live and never disappoints.

[@aimeealexander4198]

Great video Phillip !! As a long time listener of The Weeknd i got very emotional watching this.

[@samstormrising]

I heard "The Hills" first and was hooked. After Hours is my favorite, really the height of his work so far. Pretty much agree with everything you said here (except that I love me some synthwave). Nice video, man! Really well said.

[@wheelsofmercury]

That was a great video, Phil! I think Dawn FM is going to be appreciated by more and more people as this decade goes on. I've been thinking about listening to it again...

[@j2theb498]

Please do mate, I haven’t listened to it in awhile but it’s been amazing. Especially if you’ve been to his concert, everything hits

[@kingofhearts203]

I hated dawn fm until recently. Amazing album the Amazon vid/movie(?) helped bring me back over.

[@five2one]

I loved Dawn FM at first listen, am I the only one? the sound design is incredible and he has some great moments on that album

[@Ruthie.333]

That album has potential. It's the kind of album you either fall in love with in just one listen, or it grows on you. But you can't hate it. In least than a decade, I can see people liking the album just as much as they liked Starboy and After Hours

[@balabushkabandit2663]

This is a work of art. Made me realise that abel is truly a genius

[@utopiajj]

This was a great video. I'm just now starting to research this artist and this video just made me want to dig even deeper and pay better attention. Thank you!

[@abritt5223]

Great critique and vid brother! Keep up the great work!

[@user-ul2lr6ss6t]

One of the best videos I have ever watched. Thank you for this masterpiece. The Weeknd will always be my favorite artist 🖤

[@Samxdr_]

The production on this video is incredible and truly amazing, but I feel like adding My Dear Melancholy would have topped it off.

[@JenniferDotzler]

Great video!!!

[@Karisha35]

Great video !! Thanks a lot 👍👍👍👍

[@Soulglltch]

First I ever heard of The Weeknd was 2014, nonetheless because his feature on my favorite artists, for love me harder With none other than Ariana Grande. And from there I’ve been sucked into his music, and it’s amazing to see how Abel has flourished in the industry. Not to mention my love for Him and Ariana’s music they’ve made together , they’re the pinnacle of pop/r&b pairing. ‘Off the table’ is a beautiful track

[@tonytooshort]

Fantastic video bro. 7 thumbs up 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@emansugulle9055]

You are such a great storyteller…big love