XO (record label): Difference between revisions

XO
XO
Parent company	Universal Music Group
Founded	2011; 13 years ago
Founder	The Weeknd; Wassim Slaiby; Amir Esmailian; La Mar Taylor;
Status	Active
Distributor(s)	Republic Records
Genre	R&B; hip hop;
Country of origin	Canada

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XO (also known as XO Records)^[1]^[2] is a Canadian record label founded by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, his managers Wassim Slaiby and Amir Esmailian, and his creative director La Mar Taylor.^[3] Slaiby also serves as the label's CEO.^[4] As of 2012, it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Republic Records.^[5]

The label's current acts include The Weeknd, Belly, Nav, and Black Atlass. The label has had six projects debut at number one on the Billboard 200: Beauty Behind The Madness, Starboy, My Dear Melancholy, Bad Habits, After Hours and Good Intentions, with the latter two both achieving this in the first half of 2020.^[6] XO and Drake-led OVO Sound are unofficially connected, as both labels hail from Toronto.

History

In 2011, the Weeknd, Wassim Slaiby, Amir Esmailian and La Mar Taylor founded XO as an unofficial imprint to release the Weeknd's three mixtapes; House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. The mixtapes earned the Weeknd a following and recognition from mainstream publications, and helped grow the record label's reputation through various performances, song references and business ventures.^[7]

When the Weeknd signed with Republic Records in 2012, XO was assumed as a subsidiary label. In 2015, rappers Belly and Derek Wise were signed to XO. In 2016, rapper Nav joined the label's roster and singer Black Atlass joined in 2018.^[8]^[9] XO signed hip hop duo 88Glam in 2017,^[10] following the independent release of their self-titled mixtape.^[11] The duo left the label in 2020.^[12]

Roster

Current acts

Act	Year signed	Releases under the label
The Weeknd	2012	10
Belly	2015	5
Nav	2016	6
Black Atlass	2018	2

Former acts

Act	Year signed	Releases under the label
88Glam	2017–2020	2

In-house producers

Act	Year
Illangelo^[13]	2011
DaHeala^[14]	2013
DannyBoyStyles^[15]	2013
Belly^[16]	2013
Nav^[17]	2016

Discography

XO has officially released twelve studio albums, two EPs, and three compilation albums (including two greatest hits albums). Unofficially, the label has released twelve mixtapes.

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Details
2013	The Weeknd – Kiss Land Released: September 10, 2013^[18] Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #2 U.S. RIAA certification: Gold
2015	The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness Released: August 28, 2015^[19] Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #1 U.S. RIAA certification: 4x Platinum
2016	The Weeknd – Starboy Released: November 25, 2016^[20] Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #1 U.S. RIAA certification: 3x Platinum
2018	Nav – Reckless Released: May 18, 2018 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: #8 U.S. RIAA certification: Gold
	Black Atlass – Pain and Pleasure Released: July 12, 2018^[21] Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: uncharted RIAA certification: uncertified
	Belly – Immigrant Released: October 12, 2018 Label: XO, Roc Nation, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #169 U.S. RIAA certification: uncertified
	88Glam – 88Glam2 Released: November 16, 2018 (initial) April 5, 2019 (2.5) Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: uncharted RIAA certification: uncertified
2019	Nav – Bad Habits Released: March 22, 2019 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: #1 U.S. RIAA certification: Gold
2020	The Weeknd – After Hours Released: March 20, 2020 Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #1 U.S RIAA certification: 2x platinum
	Black Atlass – Dream Awake^[22] Released: April 3, 2020 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: uncharted RIAA certification: uncertified
	Nav – Good Intentions^[23] Released: May 8, 2020 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: #1 U.S. RIAA certification: uncertified
2021	Belly – See You Next Wednesday^[24] Released: August 27, 2021 Label: XO, Roc Nation Formats: download	Chart position: #191 U.S. RIAA certification: uncertified
2022	The Weeknd - Dawn FM Released: January 7, 2022 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download	Chart position: #2 U.S RIAA certification: uncertified

EPs

Year	EP details	Details
2018	The Weeknd – My Dear Melancholy, Released: March 29, 2018 Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #1 U.S. RIAA certification: uncertified
2019	Nav – Brown Boy^[25] Released: March 14, 2019 Label: XO, Republic Format: Digital download	Chart position: uncharted RIAA certification: uncertified

Compilation albums

Year	Album details	Details
2012	The Weeknd – Trilogy Released: November 13, 2012 Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #4 U.S. RIAA certification: 3x Platinum
2018	The Weeknd – The Weeknd in Japan Released: November 21, 2018 (Japan) Label: XO, Republic, Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, download	Chart position: uncharted RIAA certification: uncertified
2021	The Weeknd – The Highlights Released: February 5, 2021 Label: XO, Republic Formats: CD, download	Chart position: #2 US RIAA certification: uncertified

Mixtapes

Year	Album details
2011	The Weeknd – House of Balloons Released: March 21, 2011 Label: XO Formats: download
	The Weeknd – Thursday Released: August 18, 2011 Label: XO Formats: download
	The Weeknd – Echoes of Silence Released: December 21, 2011 Label: XO Formats: download
2015	Belly – Up For Days Released: May 7, 2015 Label: XO, Roc Nation Formats: download
2016	Belly – Another Day in Paradise Released: May 27, 2016 Label: XO, Roc Nation Formats: download
2016	Belly – Inzombia Released: November 11, 2016 Label: XO, Roc Nation Formats: download
2017	Nav – Nav Released: February 24, 2017 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download
	Nav and Metro Boomin – Perfect Timing Released: July 21, 2017 Label: Boominati, XO, Republic Formats: download
	Belly – Mumble Rap Released: October 6, 2017 Label: XO, Roc Nation Formats: download
	88Glam – 88Glam Released: November 16, 2017 (initial) April 20, 2018 (re-released) Label: XO, Republic^[11] Formats: download
2020	Nav – Brown Boy 2 Released: May 11, 2020 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download
2020	Nav – Emergency Tsunami Released: November 6, 2020 Label: XO, Republic Formats: download

References

^ "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". Umusic. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
^ "The Weeknd (@theweeknd)". Instagram. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
^ "The Weeknd on the Crew That Boosted Him From 'Basically Homeless' to the Super Bowl". Billboard. 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ "XO Records CEO Wassim 'SAL' Slaiby Cancels Annual Birthday Party Due to California Wildfires". Billboard. November 15, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
^ "Republic Records". universalmusic.com. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ Caulfield, Keith (May 17, 2020). "NAV's 'Good Intentions' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
^ Keating, Lauren (November 4, 2015). "The Weeknd Launches A Vape That Plays His Hit Single 'The Hills' As You Smoke". Tech Times. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
^ Goddard, Kevin. "Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
^ Marsh, Ryan. "The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records". Rap Wave. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
^ "88GLAM ANNOUNCE FIRST HEADLINING CANADIAN TOUR". Umusic. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Berry, Peter. "88GLAM SIGN TO XO RECORDS, DROP '88GLAM: RELOADED' PROJECT". XXL. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
^ Gheciu, Alex Nino. "88GLAM Talk 'New Mania,' Leaving XO, and That 'Independent Flex'". Complex. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
^ "The Weeknd on the Crew That Boosted Him From 'Basically Homeless' to the Super Bowl". 2011.
^ "The Weeknd Co-Manager SAL Joins Guy Oseary's Maverick: Exclusive". 2016.
^ "DannyBoyStyles, Producer for Beyonce, The Weeknd & Belly, On His Rise to Grammy Success". 2017.
^ "DannyBoyStyles, Producer for Beyonce, The Weeknd & Belly, On His Rise to Grammy Success". 2017.
^ "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". October 24, 2017.
^ "Kiss Land by The Weeknd on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
^ "Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
^ Lynch, John (September 22, 2016). "The Weeknd released a new single with Daft Punk and revealed a release date for his album". Business Insider. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
^ "Pain & Pleasure by Black Atlass on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
^ "Black Atlass Announces 'Dream Awake' Album". exclaim.ca. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
^ "NAV ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM 'GOOD INTENTIONS'". Rap-Up. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
^ Grant, Shawn (August 21, 2021). "Belly Set to Drop 'See You Next Wednesday' Album on August 27". The Source. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
^ Giulione, Bianca (March 14, 2019). "NAV's 'Brown Boy' EP Surprise Released by Cash XO". Highsnobiety. Retrieved March 16, 2019.

[UMCsignedtoXO-1] "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". Umusic. Retrieved November 6, 2017.

[2] "The Weeknd (@theweeknd)". Instagram. Retrieved November 6, 2017.

[3] "The Weeknd on the Crew That Boosted Him From 'Basically Homeless' to the Super Bowl". Billboard. 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[4] "XO Records CEO Wassim 'SAL' Slaiby Cancels Annual Birthday Party Due to California Wildfires". Billboard. November 15, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2020.

[5] "Republic Records". universalmusic.com. Retrieved February 21, 2019.

[NavGI-6] Caulfield, Keith (May 17, 2020). "NAV's 'Good Intentions' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2020.

[7] Keating, Lauren (November 4, 2015). "The Weeknd Launches A Vape That Plays His Hit Single 'The Hills' As You Smoke". Tech Times. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[8] Goddard, Kevin. "Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

[9] Marsh, Ryan. "The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records". Rap Wave. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

[10] "88GLAM ANNOUNCE FIRST HEADLINING CANADIAN TOUR". Umusic. Retrieved June 28, 2020.

[88GLAMreloaded-11] Berry, Peter. "88GLAM SIGN TO XO RECORDS, DROP '88GLAM: RELOADED' PROJECT". XXL. Retrieved April 28, 2018.

[12] Gheciu, Alex Nino. "88GLAM Talk 'New Mania,' Leaving XO, and That 'Independent Flex'". Complex. Retrieved June 27, 2020.

[13] "The Weeknd on the Crew That Boosted Him From 'Basically Homeless' to the Super Bowl". 2011.

[14] "The Weeknd Co-Manager SAL Joins Guy Oseary's Maverick: Exclusive". 2016.

[15] "DannyBoyStyles, Producer for Beyonce, The Weeknd & Belly, On His Rise to Grammy Success". 2017.

[16] "DannyBoyStyles, Producer for Beyonce, The Weeknd & Belly, On His Rise to Grammy Success". 2017.

[17] "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". October 24, 2017.

[18] "Kiss Land by The Weeknd on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.

[19] "Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.

[20] Lynch, John (September 22, 2016). "The Weeknd released a new single with Daft Punk and revealed a release date for his album". Business Insider. Retrieved October 12, 2016.

[21] "Pain & Pleasure by Black Atlass on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved July 12, 2018.

[22] "Black Atlass Announces 'Dream Awake' Album". exclaim.ca. Retrieved March 13, 2020.

[23] "NAV ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM 'GOOD INTENTIONS'". Rap-Up. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.

[24] Grant, Shawn (August 21, 2021). "Belly Set to Drop 'See You Next Wednesday' Album on August 27". The Source. Retrieved August 26, 2021.

[25] Giulione, Bianca (March 14, 2019). "NAV's 'Brown Boy' EP Surprise Released by Cash XO". Highsnobiety. Retrieved March 16, 2019.

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@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 '''XO''' (also known as '''XO Records''')<ref name="UMCsignedtoXO">{{cite web|title=Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective|url=http://www.umusic.ca/2017/10/24/weeknd-xo/|website=Umusic|access-date=November 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Weeknd (@theweeknd)|url=https://www.instagram.com/theweeknd/|website=Instagram|access-date=November 6, 2017}}</ref> is a Canadian record label founded by Canadian singer-songwriter [[the Weeknd]], his managers [[Wassim Slaiby]] and [[Amir Esmailian]], and his creative director [[La Mar Taylor]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Weeknd on the Crew That Boosted Him From 'Basically Homeless' to the Super Bowl|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/enterprise/9516909/the-weeknd-xo-records-billboard-cover-story-interview-2021|url-status=live|website=Billboard|publication-date=2021}}</ref> Slaiby also serves as the label's [[CEO]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-15|title=XO Records CEO Wassim 'SAL' Slaiby Cancels Annual Birthday Party Due to California Wildfires|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8485230/xo-records-president-wassim-sal-slaiby-cancels-annual-birthday-party-fires|access-date=2020-07-14|website=Billboard}}</ref> As of 2012, it operates as a subsidiary of [[Universal Music Group]], and is distributed through [[Republic Records]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Republic Records |url=https://www.universalmusic.com/label/republic-records/ |website=universalmusic.com |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>
-The label's current acts include [[The Weeknd]], [[Belly (rapper)|Belly]], [[Nav (rapper)|Nav]], and [[Black Atlass]]. The label has had six projects debut at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]: ''[[Beauty Behind The Madness]]'', ''[[Starboy (album)|Starboy]]'', ''[[My Dear Melancholy]]'', ''[[Bad Habits (Nav album)|Bad Habits]]'', ''[[After Hours (The Weeknd album)|After Hours]]'' and ''[[Good Intentions (Nav album)|Good Intentions]]'', with the latter two both achieving this in the first half of 2020.<ref name="NavGI">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9379399/nav-good-intentions-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200|title=NAV's 'Good Intentions' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=May 17, 2020|access-date=May 17, 2020}}</ref> XO and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]-lead [[OVO Sound]] are unofficially connected, as both labels hail from [[Toronto]].
+The label's current acts include [[The Weeknd]], [[Belly (rapper)|Belly]], [[Nav (rapper)|Nav]], and [[Black Atlass]]. The label has had six projects debut at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]: ''[[Beauty Behind The Madness]]'', ''[[Starboy (album)|Starboy]]'', ''[[My Dear Melancholy]]'', ''[[Bad Habits (Nav album)|Bad Habits]]'', ''[[After Hours (The Weeknd album)|After Hours]]'' and ''[[Good Intentions (Nav album)|Good Intentions]]'', with the latter two both achieving this in the first half of 2020.<ref name="NavGI">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9379399/nav-good-intentions-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200|title=NAV's 'Good Intentions' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=May 17, 2020|access-date=May 17, 2020}}</ref> XO and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]-led [[OVO Sound]] are unofficially connected, as both labels hail from [[Toronto]].
 ==History==