In keeping with Luminate, The Weeknd is the preferred international “export” artist from Canada. The report ranks him above artists like Drake and Justin Bieber based mostly on album gross sales, streams, and different metrics.
Luminate launched its 2025 Midyear Music Report on Wednesday, July 16. The report states that The Weeknd, whose actual identify is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is Canada’s largest international “export” artist. He joins the ranks of Taylor Swift from the US and Coldplay from the UK, with rankings based mostly on worldwide recognition, together with streaming, gross sales, excursions, and extra.
Followers on-line have reacted to the report, with some supporting The Weeknd whereas others are stunned that Drake is not on the high.
“if that is true, why has he by no means bought greater than 500k first? I do know a Canadian who did that 5 occasions,” one other wrote.
“Dawg…yall can’t be critical. Drake is and without end would be the Canadian King,” one other commented.
Many customers additionally backed Abel, as one wrote:
“abel is lowkey carrying the repute of canadian artists as a result of the opposite two are drake and justin bieber.”
“He retains giving me music I don’t like, however I’m glad for him, he’s labored his *ss off , and all the time has one thing out,” one other tweeted.
“In 2009/2010, The Weeknd was homeless. In 2025, he’s the preferred artist in his nation. By no means let your present battle blind you out of your future greatness,” one other wrote.
In keeping with Forbes, Abel Tesfaye’s 2015 album, Magnificence Behind the Insanity, not too long ago reached 350 weeks on the Billboard 200. That is his second album to achieve this milestone, with Starboy spending 400 weeks on the Billboard 200.
Additionally Learn: The Weeknd breaks MetLife file as highest-grossing Black male artist with 163K followers—surpassing Gov Ball by 40K
The Weeknd on the success of Magnificence Behind the Insanity
Earlier this 12 months, Abel spoke concerning the success of his 2015 album, Magnificence Behind the Insanity, and the way it impressed him to push himself additional. The album acquired glorious evaluations, and the songs Cannot Really feel My Face and The Hills hit No. 1 within the US. Earned It additionally acquired an Oscar nomination.
Whereas selling his movie, Hurry Up Tomorrow, in an interview with The Guardian printed on June 28, the singer-songwriter acknowledged:
“I used to be like: it doesn’t get greater than this. And naturally, then I’m like: I’ve acquired to beat this. You don’t wish to be identified for a track. That’s the recommendation I give any younger artist: for those who get an enormous track, work out what the subsequent transfer is, since you don’t need that track to determine who you might be.”
When requested concerning the story behind Starboy, his third studio album launched in 2016, he stated:
“Starboy, there was no actual story. It was simply: how do I get greater than I did final 12 months?”
The Weeknd has launched six studio albums, with the latest one being Hurry Up Tomorrow, which was launched in Could 2025. He has additionally gained 4 Grammy Awards and 20 Billboard Music Awards, amongst different honors.
Additionally Learn: 2025 Emmy Awards: All music nominations explored
Edited by Shreya Das
