Lecture 104: The Weeknd vs. The Weeknd — Killing Your Own Pop Persona

The Weeknd’s career is one of the most fascinating journeys in modern pop — from faceless mixtape enigma to the most streamed artist in the world. In this episode of The Pop Professor Podcast, we break down his story across six chapters: the anonymous House of Balloons era, his first stumble with Kiss Land, the mainstream takeover of Beauty Behind the Madness, the reinvention of Starboy, the record-shattering dominance of After Hours and “Blinding Lights,” and the bold risks of Dawn FM and The Idol. Along the way, we’ll unpack his chart feats, Grammy feuds, streaming dominance, and cultural influence — and tackle the ultimate question: will Abel Tesfaye really retire The Weeknd at the peak of his power?

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