Rarely does an artist come along that changes your perspective on not only music, but life in general. March 21, 2011 the sound of music, and my life as a whole would be a forever altered with the release of a single mixtape. House Of Balloons, the nine track debut released by Scarborough Canada native named Abel Tesfaye, who adopted the stage name The Weeknd, has set the industry into a frenzy by shrouding himself in mystery, staying out of the public eye with absolutely zero interviews, live shows, or even a photo of the singer. Only one thing was known, The Weeknd just changed music forever. And his melodic, brooding RnB voice was quickly rising in popularity.

Following House Of Balloons, The Weeknd was set to release two more mixtapes before the years end, Thursday, and Echoes Of Silence. All three have been critically acclaimed by not only hiphop fiends but music lovers alike, steadily building his name and helping him work with the likes of Wiz Khalifa, 2Chainz, multiple collaborations with Drake, even influencing over half of his multi-platinum album Take Care. Abel is sure to mutate any song he is featured on into his own intoxicating sound, overpowering the track with a dark, troubled sound straight from the soul; Fueled by sex, women, highs and lows of love all influenced by mind bending substances.

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Followed by a slew of worldwide shows, and a couple singles released for fans, The Weeknd inked a record deal with Republic Records in September of 2012, and set The Balloon Trilogy to be remastered and released as a three disk studio album. Since the release of The Trilogy, and more music videos for his biggest hits, Abel has been stepping into the spotlight, fulfilling his role as a musician, even announcing his second studio album, Kiss Land, which he said feels is his first REAL album. He describes in his first ever interview with Complex Magazine as his version of a real life horror movie, trying to find himself and dealing with worldwide fame outside of his secluded Toronto lifestyle.

Early this morning, The Weeknd tweeted a link to view his new visuals for his brand new song Belong To The World, a groundbreaking video shot in Japan, giving you a little glimpse inside one of the most twisted, brilliant minds of our time. Expect Kiss Land August 27th, and go show support for The Weeknd on tour this fall. XO