After co-founding the XO record label in 2011, he rose to prominence following the release of his critically acclaimed mixtapes, House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence.

In 2012, the Weeknd signed with Republic Records and re-released his three mixtapes in the compilation album, Trilogy (2012).

His debut studio album, Kiss Land (2013), was released to generally positive reviews.

For the single "Earned It" from the soundtrack to the film, Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), the Weeknd received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.

His 2021 Super Bowl Halftime performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).