The Weeknd Surprises Fans with 2025 Grammys Performance After Boycotting the Show

The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, made a surprise return to the Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025. This appearance comes four years after he declared a boycott of the awards show. During his set, he captivated fans with performances of "Cry for Me" and "Timeless." The show featured dynamic visuals with spotlights, lasers, and a skilled group of dancers.

His performance included a medley of both songs, as reported by PopCrave, and featured rapper Playboi Carti. These tracks are from his latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, released just two days earlier on January 31.

The Weeknd previously announced his decision to stop participating in the Grammys in 2021, expressing frustrations with the process. "I'm done with the GrammysBecause of the secret committees," he stated to The New York Times. This decision came after he found himself completely excluded from the nomination list that year, prompting him to criticize the awards.

"The Grammys remain corrupt," he added. "You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency..."

Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, acknowledged the controversy surrounding The Weeknd while reflecting on his performance at the awards. "I remember waking up to the headlines about The Weeknd calling out the Academy for a lack of transparency," Mason Jr. recalled. "He even stated he was boycotting the Grammys. That certainly made for interesting reading over breakfast."

Mason Jr. expressed understanding toward The Weeknd's concerns. He emphasized a commitment to creating an organization that serves the interests of all music creators. "We’ve listened, we have acted, and we’ve changed," he stated.

He also highlighted various initiatives aimed at diversifying the voting membership within the Recording Academy. While acknowledging that there is still work to be done, he expressed optimism about the Academy's direction. "As we've seen tonight, music is a powerful force for good in the world. It heals us... it unites us," Mason Jr. concluded.