For the global music industry, 2025 was a year of historic financial shifting. But for Ethiopians everywhere, it was a moment of profound collective pride. Standing at the absolute apex of global entertainment was Abel Tesfaye, known to the world as The Weeknd, and to us as the proud son of Ethiopian immigrants, Samra Mangasha and Mulugeta Tesfaye.
At 36 years old, Abel was officially named the highest-paid musician of 2025, raking in a staggering $298 million over the year. In doing so, he outpaced industry titans like Taylor Swift ($202 million) and Beyoncé ($148 million).
While a massive portion of this windfall came from a highly sophisticated, first-of-its-kind $1 billion catalog partnership, Abel simultaneously conquered the global live entertainment landscape. His After Hours Til Dawn Tour crossed the historic $1 billion mark in gross revenue, solidifying his status as one of only three acts in music history to achieve a ten-figure grossing tour.
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