The Weeknd Squashes Grammys Beef With Surprise Performance

Back in 2021, the Weeknd made a public statement announcing he’d be boycotting the Grammy Awards moving forward. The singer was frustrated that his album After Hours was snubbed at that year’s ceremony, after both the album and its lead single “Blinding Lights” topped the charts all year. Now, the Weeknd has squashed his beef with the awards, appearing at the 2025 ceremony to perform songs off his sixth album Hurry Up Tomorrow.

The Recording Academy‘s CEO Harvey Mason Jr. introduced the Weeknd, who had not been previously announced as a performer. Mason’s introduction highlighted the Weeknd’s anger four years ago, showing headlines of the singer claiming he would never submit his music to the Grammys again. His frustration was over the “secret committees” behind the voting. He had called them “corrupt” and said that the show and Academy owed artists more transparency.

Mason highlighted new initiatives that the Recording Academy has created to diversify voters and nominees, like the Black Music Collective. He then welcomed the Weeknd to the stage, where the singer performed “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” off Hurry Up Tomorrow. Playboi Carti joined the stage to do his “Timeless” verse. His stage was drenched in red light and full of dancers on the steps in front of him.

The Weeknd has won four Grammy Awards over the course of his career. This year, he is nominated for due to being featured on Metro Boomin and Future’s “We Still Don’t Trust You.” The song is up for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

From Rolling Stone US.