XO Label

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The origins of XO trace back to Tesfaye's early days in Toronto, where he dropped out of school at seventeen to live a hedonistic lifestyle in Parkdale. After beginning his music career anonymously on YouTube in August 2009 under the username "xoxxxoooxo," Tesfaye met producer Jeremy Rose and created several dark R&B tracks. By 2011, he had formed a core creative circle with La Mar Taylor, who would become his long-time creative director. Alongside executive Wassim "Sal" Slaiby, they formally founded the XO record label. (Amir "Cash" Esmailian later joined as a key manager and executive, but is not considered a co-founder.) This partnership was crucial in navigating Tesfaye's transition from underground mixtapes like House of Balloons to mainstream success. The label's identity is deeply rooted in Tesfaye's personal history, including his experiences with homelessness and drug use as a "crutch" for writing music. (Note: Despite some reports, Abel Tesfaye did not legally change his name in 2024; his legal name remains Abel Makkonen Tesfaye.)

In Their Own Story

In March 2011, the label released its first major project: the debut mixtape House of Balloons. Produced largely by Illangelo and Doc McKinney, with uncredited production from Rose, the tape featured tracks that gained immediate online attention after Drake acknowledged them in a blog post. The success led to coverage by Pitchfork and The New York Times. That same year, Tesfaye released two more mixtapes, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, which were later compiled into Trilogy in November 2012 under Republic Records. The label's rise was marked by significant milestones, including Tesfaye's first live performance at the Mod Club Theatre in Toronto and his participation in Coachella. By September 2012, XO had signed a deal with Republic Records as a subsidiary, allowing them to reach a wider audience while maintaining their distinct alternative R&B and dark visual storytelling style.

Reader's Guide

XO functions as both a creative collective and a business entity focused on the artistic vision of Abel Tesfaye. The label's strategy involves releasing music that blends alternative R&B with pop elements, often accompanied by cinematic visuals and dark aesthetics. Early releases included three mixtapes in 2011, which were later remastered for Trilogy. The label has supported Tesfaye through various phases, from his debut studio album Kiss Land (2013) to the chart-topping albums Beauty Behind the Madness (2015) and Starboy (2016). XO also manages special projects like the EP My Dear Melancholy (2018) and the album trilogy beginning with After Hours (2020). The label's operations are closely tied to Tesfaye's personal evolution, including his role as a goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme in 2021 and his ventures into acting and television.

Did You Know?

• Abel Tesfaye adopted the stage name 'the Weeknd' because he left home on a weekend, removing the last 'e' to avoid trademark issues with the Canadian band The Weekend.
• Before releasing music as the Weeknd, Tesfaye was part of a hip-hop duo called 'Bulleez n Nerdz' under the alias 'Kin Kane'.
• Tesfaye's first mixtape, House of Balloons, was named one of the ten shortlisted nominees for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.
• The label released three mixtapes in 2011: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, which were later compiled into Trilogy.
• Despite some online claims, Abel Tesfaye did not legally drop his last name in 2024; his full legal name remains Abel Makkonen Tesfaye.