The Weeknd Remains In Billboard Top 10 For 21st Week After Oscar Boost

The Weeknd is also one of the most enigmatic and unusual figures in pop music today, achieving this level of success without pursuing publicity; in fact, by shunning public exposure for much of his early career. Born in a suburb of Toronto, Canada, he became a cult-like figure in indie circles years before he ever had a recording contract or a hit single and without a mainstream profile. The Weeknd started out as a complete mystery to his fans, not granting interviews and only allowing darkened, obscured images of himself to be released.

The Weeknd began releasing his own music anonymously on Youtube in 2010, already penning the party lifestyle lyrics he is now known for along with his sweet high vocals. The first group of his songs were posted on October's Very Own, the blog run by OVO Sound, the record label owned by fellow Torontonian Drake. The move put his work under the public eye and he quickly vaulted to popularity worldwide. The Weeknd worked on three songs for Drake's 2011 release, Take Care. By 2011, The Weeknd was doing his own live performances, selling out venues like the Hollywood Bowl before he'd ever had a hit single. Pursued by a number of labels, he finally signed with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group, in 2012.

As his star rises, so has the public's and media's demands on The Weeknd, who has become a recognizable figure and the object of fan scrutiny along with girlfriend, model Bella Hadid.

[Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP]