The Weeknd ends Grammy boycott with surprise performance of new songs
After Nearly Four-Year Boycott, The Weeknd Makes Surprising Return to Grammy Stage
At the 67th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, there were many standout moments, but one of the biggest surprises was the Weeknd’s comeback to the Grammy stage after a lengthy boycott. Abel Tesfaye, known as the Weeknd, made headlines in March 2021 when he announced that he would no longer be submitting his music to the Grammys after his critically acclaimed album, After Hours, was snubbed for the 2021 awards.
His hit song “Blinding Lights” from the album became Spotify’s most-streamed song, yet it received no recognition from the Grammy nominations. The Weeknd took to Twitter to express his frustration, calling out the Grammys for their lack of transparency and referring to them as “corrupt.”
In a tweet, he stated, “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…” This decision was a result of the secret committees within the industry that have a say in the nomination process.
Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, acknowledged the criticism faced by the organization and welcomed the Weeknd back to the Grammy stage. Mason addressed the changes made within the Academy, including adding more diverse and younger voting members, in response to the feedback received from artists like the Weeknd.
During his performance at the Grammy Awards, the Weeknd showcased songs from his latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, including “Cry For Me” and “Timeless,” with a special guest appearance by Playboi Carti.
Although the Weeknd was only nominated for one Grammy this year for his feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “We Still Don’t Trust You,” he did not secure a win. The award for best melodic rap performance went to “3:AM” by Rhapsody and Erykah Badu.
Alongside the release of his new album, the Weeknd also announced a 2025 stadium tour, which will include five dates in Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, and two shows in Toronto.
The Weeknd’s return to the Grammy stage marked a significant moment in his career and highlighted the changes being made within the music industry to address issues of diversity and transparency.
