A Weeknd Warrior

Collaborations and features often lead to amazing discoveries.

Case in point, Take Care.

I noticed his name featured on four tracks from Drake’s sophomore album. The guy’s name was The Weeknd. The sound was interesting. Just based off that I wanted to learn more about this artist. So I did the research.

The Weeknd (given name Abel Tesfaye) was born February 16, 1990. He is a Canadian recording artist and record producer of Ethiopian descent. The first few songs that he released under The Weeknd name first leaked in late 2010, though the identity of the individual behind the project was initially unknown.

Since then he has released three albums that serve as a trilogy of sorts. These are the project names:

-House Of Balloons-Released March 21, 2011
-Thursday-Released August 18, 2011
-Echoes Of Silence-Released December 21, 2011

The acclaim surrounding The Weeknd has been incredible, akin to the buzz another Canadian artist received a few years back. You know the one, right?

His praises have been sung by MTV, BET, Rolling Stone, XXL, The Source, and 2DopeBoyz. They have all dubbed him the "Songbird of his Generation", as well as the "best musical talent since Michael Jackson" (John Norris, MTV).

That last statement speaks a whole hell of a lot about him as an artist. It also makes me curious to hear more from him.

Another thing that has me curious over The Weeknd is something I read about his album House Of Balloons. The reviews were interesting reading, honestly. These are just a few:

Pitchfork Media's Joe Colly wrote that "all the thematic and sonic pieces fit together - these weird, morning-after tales of lust, hurt, and over-indulgence ... are matched by this incredibly lush, downcast music. It's hard to think of a record since probably The xx's debut ... that so fully embodies such a specific nocturnal quality."

Sean Fennessey of The Village Voice called the album "impressive" and added, "It's patient, often gorgeous, and consistently louche ... with the sort of blown-out underbelly and echo-laden crooning that has already made Drake's less-than-a-year-old Thank Me Later such an influential guidepost."

House Of Balloons was named the #1 album of 2011 by Complex Magazine. Moreover, the album beat both Drake's Take Care and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne for the number 1 spot. That is an amazing feat, all things considered.

Wow, right?

I know I may be late but expect me to review all three albums sometime this week. The Weeknd wins again.