The Weeknd Receives Key to the City in Toronto
Grammy Award-winning musician Abel Tesfaye, known globally as The Weeknd, was honored with the Key to the City by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
The prestigious award was presented to the Scarborough-born artist at the downtown Rogers Centre on Saturday, ahead of his highly anticipated concerts.
Mayor chow stated that The Weeknd, the voice behind hits like The Blinding Lights, embodies the best of Toronto. “From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern music while using his platform to support health and humanitarian causes at home and around the world,” Chow said in a statement. “I am proud to honor one of our city’s greatest artists with a Key to the City to celebrate his contributions to music, society and our culture.”
The Weeknd is currently in Toronto for his “After Hours til Dawn” tour, supporting his album trilogy “After Hours,” “Dawn FM,” and “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” The singer, who boasts 27 songs with over 1 billion streams each on Spotify, is scheduled to perform on Sunday and Monday, with additional shows on August 7 and 8.
The frequently enough singer expressed his gratitude for the honor, saying, “It feels good to be home. Toronto is where I found my voice, and I’m committed to helping the next generation find theirs.”
Beyond his musical achievements, the Key to the City recognizes the Weeknd’s meaningful community contributions.These include a $500,000 donation to the Scarborough Health Network during the pandemic and co-founding HXOUSE, a non-profit innovation hub dedicated to empowering emerging creatives and entrepreneurs.
In acknowledgment of this recognition,the Weeknd is investing in the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and his former high school,Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute,to establish new spaces for youth.
The city highlighted The Weeknd’s role as a “self-made global ambassador for Toronto’s music and arts communities,” serving as an inspiration to aspiring artists worldwide. His recognition celebrates both his international impact and his commitment to Toronto’s cultural identity.
Toronto has also proclaimed July 26 and 27 as “The Weeknd Days” in honor of the artist.
The Key to the City is a symbolic honor bestowed by municipalities to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the city’s cultural,social,or economic landscape. It is ofen presented to distinguished visitors, esteemed citizens, or those who have brought positive recognition to the city on a global scale. Toronto has a history of awarding this honor to artists, athletes, and community leaders who embody the city’s spirit and values.
Frequently Asked questions
- Who is The Weeknd?
- The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, is a Grammy Award-winning Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer.
- What is the key to the City?
- The Key to the City is a ceremonial honor given by a city to recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions.
- What are The Weeknd’s contributions to Toronto?
- The Weeknd has been recognized for his musical achievements, his support of health and humanitarian causes, including a $500,000 donation to the Scarborough Health Network, and co-founding the HXOUSE innovation hub.He is also investing in youth programs and local institutions.
