The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, has evolved his image as much as his music over the years. His hair has been a significant part of this transformation, with each style reflecting a different era of his career. Let's take a journey through The Weeknd Hair Timeline, exploring the Canadian singer-songwriter's most iconic hairstyles.
Early Days: The Long Locks
In the early days of his career, The Weeknd was known for his long, wavy locks. This style, reminiscent of '70s rockstars, was a signature look for him during his mixtape era. The long hair added to his mysterious and brooding image, complementing his dark and introspective lyrics.
Breakthrough: The High Top Fade
With his 2015 album "Beauty Behind the Madness," The Weeknd underwent a significant image overhaul. He chopped off his long hair and embraced a high top fade, a style popularized by '90s hip-hop culture. This bold change marked his transition into the mainstream and reflected his new, more polished sound.
- 2015: The high top fade made its debut in the "I Can't Feel My Face" music video.
- 2016: The style was further popularized with the release of "Starboy," featuring a bleached version of the fade.
Bleached and Blonde
In 2016, The Weeknd took his high top fade to the next level by bleaching it blonde. This dramatic change was a visual representation of his musical evolution, signaling a shift towards a more pop-infused sound. The bleached hair also added a striking contrast to his dark skin tone and features.
Bleached Braids
In 2017, The Weeknd experimented with bleached braids, a style that paid homage to his Ethiopian heritage while maintaining his signature high top fade. This look was a standout feature of his "My Dear Melancholy," EP era.
Back to Basics: The Short Crop
After several years of sporting variations of the high top fade, The Weeknd returned to a shorter, more understated style in 2018. His hair was cropped short, with a slight fade on the sides. This change marked a return to his roots, both literally and metaphorically, as he began to explore more personal and introspective themes in his music.
Bearded and Bold
In 2019, The Weeknd grew out a thick beard, adding a new dimension to his short crop. This style gave him a more mature and sophisticated look, reflecting his growth as an artist and a person.
Present Day: The Curly Afro
In recent years, The Weeknd has embraced his natural curls, sporting a full afro. This style is a celebration of his heritage and a nod to the influence of '70s soul and R&B on his latest album, "Dawn FM." The curly afro is a testament to The Weeknd's continued evolution as an artist, always ready to embrace new styles and sounds.
| Year | Hairstyle |
|---|---|
| 2010-2015 | Long, wavy locks |
| 2015-2018 | High top fade |
| 2016-2017 | Bleached and blonde high top fade |
| 2017 | Bleached braids |
| 2018-Present | Short crop, with variations |
| 2019-Present | Curly afro |
The Weeknd's hair timeline is a fascinating journey that mirrors his musical evolution. From his early days as a mysterious newcomer to his current status as a global superstar, each hairstyle has been a reflection of his growth and transformation. As he continues to push boundaries with his music, there's no doubt that his hair will continue to evolve in exciting ways.
