International music superstar The Weekend was awarded the city key over the weekend as he prepares to play four much awaited shows at the Rogers Center in the next two weeks.
The scarborough -born artist was awarded the award at a ceremony with Mayor Olivia Chow on Saturday.
“Abel ‘The Weekend’ Tesafay represents our city best,” Chow said. “From Scarborough to the Global Forum, he has re -designed modern music using his platform to support health and human reasons worldwide.”
He said, “I am proud to honor one of the greatest artists of my city, which is the key to the city to celebrate his contribution to music, society and our culture.”
Chow also officially announced on Saturday, 26 July to Sunday, July 27, 2025 as a “weekend weekend” in Toronto.
The four -time Grammy Award winner has often credited his hometown for shaping his identity and laying the foundation of his explosive music career.
In 2021, he became the first Canadian artist to perform a single performance at the Superboil Haftime Show and remain one of the world’s most strengthened artists.
He has also made significant philanthropic contribution in the city. During the Covid-19 epidemic, he donated $ 500,000 to the Scarborough Health Network and made the Ethiopian study program champion at the University of Toronto.
He is also the co-founder of Hxouse, who is a Toronto-based not-for-profit innovation hub that empowers emerging creative and entrepreneurs.
“I am deeply honored for getting the key to the city. It is nice to be home,” Weekend said in a statement. “Toronto is where I got my voice, and I am committed to help the next generation to help them.”
He said, “I am proud to support West Scarborough’s Boys and Girls Club and my former High School, Birchmount Park, which provides the youth with a means of unlocking their full potential,” he said.
The weekends will play the Rogers Center on 27 and 28 July. Then, again on 7 and 8 August.
