The Weeknd Leaps Past Justin Bieber and Breaks Record for Most Spotify Listeners

etonline.com:

The Weeknd has really earned it. The singer has overtaken Justin Bieber as the artist with the most listeners on Spotify.The Weeknd, who also goes by Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, broke the record Saturday after amassing 85.66 million monthly listeners.

Bieber previously held the record, with close to 84 million monthly listeners. The Weeknd dropped his fifth studio album earlier this month and held a unique «sonic experience,» via a  livestream event, to mark the occasion.

Anticipation had been building for The Weeknd's new album since last August, when the «Blinding Lights» singer shared the first taste of the album, with the release of «Take My Breath.» He kept the hype going earlier this month when he took to Instagram and shared a cryptic post that hinted at the new album's release.

The anticipation culminated when The Weeknd announced the new album's release date, with a dystopian-themed music video teaser.In that video, The Weeknd transformed himself into an older version of himself.