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XO (record label)

XO (record label)

XO (also known as XO Records)[1][2] is a Canadian record label founded by singer The Weeknd and his manager Amir "Cash" Esmailian[3]. As of 2012, it operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Republic Records.[4] The label's current acts include The Weeknd, Belly, Nav, 88Glam,[5] and Black Atlass. The label has had four albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200: Beauty Behind The Madness, Starboy, My Dear Melancholy, and Bad Habits.

XO
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded2012 (2012)
Founder
Distributor(s)Republic Records
Genre
Country of originCanada

History

XO was created by Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd, as an unofficial imprint to release three mixtapes in 2011. The three releases, House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, helped grow the singer's profile, and began promoting the "XO" moniker through various on-stage performances and references within songs. The Weeknd also began conducting advertising deals via the label to multiple outlets, namely collaborating with PAX Labs to release a limited edition version of the PAX 2 vaporizer, an electronic cigarette that could be used in shows during The Madness Fall Tour.[6]

Upon securing a major recording contract with Republic Records in 2012, XO was also assumed as a subsidiary of Republic, and also acted as the distributors and manufacturers of any music created by XO. Belly was signed as the label's first artist in 2015, and Derek Wise was signed later that year. Nav was signed by the label in 2016. Upon entering classification as a subsidiary, the label has released seven projects by their artists (discluding The Weeknd).

On February 8, 2018, Montreal-born singer Black Atlass released a new song, "My Life", distributed by XO Records. Black Atlass had previously appeared alongside The Weeknd in his "Secrets" music video and in some ads involving the Puma x XO collections that dropped in 2017.[7]

Roster

Current acts

ActYear
signed
Releases
under the label
The Weeknd20125
Belly20154
Nav20164
88Glam[5]20172
Black Atlass[8]20181

Discography

The label has officially released five studio albums, one EP, and one compilation album. Unofficially, the label has released eight mixtapes.

Studio albums

YearAlbum details
2013The WeekndKiss Land
  • Released: September 10, 2013[9]
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download
2015The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness
  • Released: August 28, 2015[10]
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download
2016The Weeknd – Starboy
  • Released: November 25, 2016[11]
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download
201888Glam – 88Glam Reloaded
  • Released: April 20, 2018
  • Label: XO, Republic[5]
  • Formats: download
Nav – Reckless
  • Released: May 18, 2018
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
Black Atlass – Pain and Pleasure
  • Released: July 12, 2018[12]
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
Belly – Immigrant
  • Released: October 12, 2018
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download
88Glam – 88Glam 2
  • Released: November 16, 2018
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
2019Nav – Bad Habits
  • Released: March 22, 2019
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download

EPs

YearEP details
2018The Weeknd – My Dear Melancholy,
  • Released: March 29, 2018
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download

Compilation albums

YearAlbum details
2012The WeekndTrilogy
  • Released: November 13, 2012
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download

Mixtapes

YearAlbum details
2011The WeekndHouse 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
2015Belly – Up For Days
  • Released: May 7, 2015
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: download
2016Belly – Another Day in Paradise
  • Released: May 27, 2016
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: download
Belly – Inzombia
  • Released: November 11, 2016
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: download
2017Nav – Nav
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
Nav and Metro BoominPerfect Timing
  • Released: July 21, 2017
  • Label: Boominati, XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
Belly – Mumble Rap
  • Released: October 6, 2017
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: download

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.umusic.ca"Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". Umusic. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.instagram.com"The Weeknd (@theweeknd)". Instagram. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.billboard.comBliss, Karen. "Meet The Weeknd's Managers: Amir 'Cash' Esmailian and Tony Sal on Breaking Through, Top Influences and More". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.universalmusic.com"Republic Records". universalmusic.com. Retrieved February 21, 2019. Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.xxlmag.comBerry, Peter. "88GLAM SIGN TO XO RECORDS, DROP '88GLAM: RELOADED' PROJECT". XXL. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.techtimes.comKeating, Lauren. "The Weeknd Launches A Vape That Plays His Hit Single 'The Hills' As You Smoke". Tech Times. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.rapwave.netMarsh, Ryan. "The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records". Rap Wave. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.hotnewhiphop.comGoddard, Kevin. "Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[9]
Citation Linkitunes.apple.com"Kiss Land by The Weeknd on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[10]
Citation Linkitunes.apple.com"Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.businessinsider.comLynch, 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.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[12]
Citation Linkitunes.apple.com"Pain & Pleasure by Black Atlass on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.umusic.ca"Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.instagram.com"The Weeknd (@theweeknd)"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.billboard.com"Meet The Weeknd's Managers: Amir 'Cash' Esmailian and Tony Sal on Breaking Through, Top Influences and More"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.universalmusic.com"Republic Records"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.xxlmag.com"88GLAM SIGN TO XO RECORDS, DROP '88GLAM: RELOADED' PROJECT"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.techtimes.com"The Weeknd Launches A Vape That Plays His Hit Single 'The Hills' As You Smoke"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[19]
Citation Linkwww.rapwave.net"The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.hotnewhiphop.com"Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?"
Oct 1, 2019, 5:08 AM