Amaar Burton
R&B/pop singer The Weekend continues to make history despite some unforgettable snubs. The Toronto native's hit single "Blinding Lights" -- which wasn't even nominated for a Grammy -- has been in the Billboard Hot 100's top 10 for more than a year and just became the longest-reigning No. 1 song in the chart's history.
The Weeknd Keeps Winning W/ ‘Blinding Lights’
“Blinding Lights” has been on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 69 weeks. Only three songs have ever spent more time on the Hot 100, and those three — Imagine Dragons‘ “Radioactive,” AWOLNATION‘s “Sail” and Jason Mraz‘s “I’m Yours” — never reached No. 1 like The Weeknd’s signature tune.
“IM HAVING A HEART ATTACK RN THANK U BB”
Grammys Respond To The Weeknd’s Boycott
It’s still tough to believe that The Weeknd was completely shut out of this year’s Grammy nominations, given the success of singles like “Blinding Lights” and his chart-topping album After Hours. Following the award snub, it was reported that the artist will no longer let his label submit his music to the Grammys because of “secret committees.”
Grammys chief honcho Harvey Mason Jr. is responding to The Weeknd’s boycott saying the Grammys is disappointed when anyone is upset. He also said, in a statement to The New York Times, the Grammys is constantly evolving and it’s “going to take a hard look at how to improve our awards process, including the nomination review committees.” (TMZ)
The Weeknd’s Streams Increase
The pop star did much more than put on a memorable Super Bowl LV halftime performance this year. The acclaimed crooner’s streams surged nearly 50 percent following the nationally televised broadcast. According to reports, Weeknd’s songs saw a 41 perfect increase in the United States following the performance.
His collected songs across his entire catalog generated 48.9 million on-demand streams (audio and video) on Feb. 7-8 – up 42% compared to the 34.5 million they tallied on Feb. 5-6. His most-streamed song on Feb. 7-8 was his long-running Billboard Hot 100 hit “Blinding Lights” (6.54 million; up 42%), which also served as his halftime-closer. (Billboard)
The Weeknd Super Bowl Halftime Greatness
For nearly 20 minutes, The Weeknd came through with hits everyone could remember. From his most recent singles to classics he started his career out with in the early 2010s, the Toronto crooner held every generation down.
He opened with “Starboy” and “The Hills.” When he did “Can’t Feel My Face,” he went into a tight mirrored corridor accompanied by a bunch of people with their faces bandaged up. He reemerged for “I Feel It Coming” and “Save Your Tears.” A string section joined him for “Earned It.” The Weeknd and his dancers hit the field for “House of Balloons” (yes—a Siouxsie and the Banshees sample played at the Super Bowl) and then a massive performance of “Blinding Lights.” (Pitchfork)
