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The Weeknd made a shocking return to the Grammys several years after he famously called out the Recording Academy.
On Sunday night, February 2, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. took the stage during the 2025 Grammy Awards to announce that the organization has made peace with Abel Tesfaye nearly four years after he boycotted the awards show. Mason was open and transparent about how much the voting process and the overall makeup of the Grammys has changed since the "Open Hearts" singer first called them out in 2020. Moments later, The Weeknd made his surprise entrance.
During his performance, the Canadian artist rocked a thick hooded coat and black shades as he performed music from his brand-new album Hurry Up Tomorrow. He opened his set with "Cry For Me" before he brought out Playboi Carti to perform their hit collaboration "Timeless." His surprise set came just days after he dropped the album and announced his upcoming "After Hours Til Dawn 2025 Tour."
Tesfaye's issues with the Recording Academy came to a head in November 2020 after his album After Hours got snubbed from the nominations despite its monumental success. “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans, and the industry transparency…,” the Weeknd tweeted per Rolling Stone. “Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited!” He announced his plans to boycott the awards show a few months later.
"Criticism is ok. I heard him, and I felt his conviction," Mason said. "What we all want is an organization dedicated to the well-being of all music makers, and one that reflects the entire music community, for now, and for future generations. So over the past few years, we’ve listened. We've acted. And, we‘ve changed."
Watch The Weeknd's full performance below.
