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Awards

The Weeknd Makes Triumphant Grammy Return With Surprise Performance Featuring Playboi Carti

The Toronto singer had previously been critical of the Recording Academy and boycotted the show.

The Weeknd
The Weeknd
Eddy Chen

The boycott is over. The Weeknd made his surprise return to the 2025 Grammy Awards stage on Sunday (Feb. 2) with an electric performance of “Cry for Me” and “Timeless” featuring an assist from his upcoming tourmate Playboi Carti.

After an extended broadcast tease, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. shocked viewers by introducing The Weeknd, who previously said he’d boycott the Grammys following his criticism of the Recording Academy in 2021 when his After Hours album received zero nominations.


A hooded Weeknd in a trench coat rose atop the smoky stage to deliver a fiery performance of the Metro Boomin-produced “Cry for Me” — a standout from his newHurry Up Tomorrowalbum — while commanding flailing dancers completely covered in full bodysuits.

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Laser beams then filled the stage as Playboi Carti popped out to bring the rage to their Billboard Hot 100 top three hit “Timeless” to close out the performance.

Prior to The Weeknd touching the Crypto.com Arena stage, Harvey Mason Jr. reflected on hearing the artist born Abel Tesfaye’s frustrations and instituting change to the makeup of the Recording Academy body over the past few years, which has improved its diversity efforts.

“Criticism is OK. I heard him, I felt his conviction,” the Recording Academy head said. “What we all want is an organization dedicated to the well-being of all music makers … So over the past few years we’ve listened, we’ve acted and we’ve changed.”

Mason Jr. says that the Academy has added more than 3,000 voting women members and now boasts nearly 40 percent people of color. “I firmly believe we’re on the right path … What better way to bring us together than this next artist,” he added before welcoming The Weeknd — a four-time Grammy Award winner — back into the fold.

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This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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Owen Riegling leads CMAOntario) Awards nominations with six.
Matt Berinato

Owen Riegling leads CMAOntario) Awards nominations with six.

FYI

Music News Digest: Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Ready To Roll, Toronto Jazz Fest Names Lineup

Also this week: Jessica Sevier signs to Paquin, the Toronto Blues Society celebrates its 40th anniversary party and the return of the star-studded Dream Serenade benefit.

Awards News

The annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) Awards and Festival takes place in Hamilton this weekend. “’Hamilton is Home’ goes the popular local expression, and that’s just what it feels like as we return to Hamilton for the 13th annual CMAOntario Festival and Awards, to reward and celebrate the best of us,” said the organization’s chair Patrick Duffy.

Events include the industry-driven R2i TuneUp Conference, Songs and Stories: Songwriters in the Round, featuring such notables as The Redhill Valleys, Andrew Hyatt, Sacha, Nate Haller, Robyn Ottolini, The Western Swing Authority and other nominees, all performing on May 30 at the Textile Building, the Bonfire showcase plus two open stages. The weekend concludes with the grand finale, the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards Show, at the historic The Music Hall (in New Vision United Church) on June 1.

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