By Yohannes Ayalew
The reclusive Ethiopian – Canadian artist, Abel Tesfaye A K A The Weeknd, was honored with the prestigious Allan Slaight Award at the 2014 Canada’s Walk of Fame ceremony in downtown Toronto on October 18th. This follows a slew of recognition for the 24 year old Scarborough native Abel. In his five minutes acceptance speech, the Drake protégé thanked a number of people who gave him a hand along the way, but the intimate tribute was left for his mother, who he described in high terms.
“She has been there for me, she saw me stronger, She is my biggest inspiration and I love her so much .Thank you mom” –
he said as an audience gave him a standing ovation. To the fans that have been loyal to him since he was discovered since 2011, he reminded them what he wishes to have with them. “I want my relationship with my fans to be a long term one”.
On a brief break from a sold out world tour, P. Diddy was among those that paid tribute to him comparing him to the great Michael Jackson. To the audience, that included honored recipients of sports and entertainment from Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and the brilliant one-time Supreme Court Justice and the United Nations human rights commissionaire, Louise Arbour – Tesfaye promised his fans of a follow up album to the 2011’s acclaimed Trilogy.
The Allan Slaight Award is named for a Canadian media magnate and is meant to honor emerging young Canadians that have achieved noted success in the world.
