After a four-year absence, Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd has ended his boycott of the Grammys by performing at the awards show on Sunday. In 2020, he called out the Recording Academy for lack of transparency in their awards process and announced his intention to boycott.
However, in a recent speech, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, acknowledged The Weeknd’s concerns and highlighted the organization’s efforts to transform itself. Mason stated that the academy has added over 3,000 new female voting members, increased diversity among its members by nearly 40%, and implemented changes to ensure fairness and integrity in their nominations process.
The Weeknd’s surprise performance marked a shift towards moving on from his boycott. He performed two songs from his new album “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” which serves as the final chapter in his trilogy of studio albums. The album’s tour, “After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour,” kicks off on May 9 in Phoenix and will feature stops in numerous cities across North America.
The Weeknd’s decision to return to the Grammys comes after years of advocating for change within the music industry. His efforts have led to significant reforms at the Recording Academy, which he has publicly endorsed. With his performance, The Weeknd has signaled that he is committed to the new direction and is eager to continue making music and sharing it with fans around the world.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/03/entertainment/the-weeknd-grammys-boycott/index.html