A History of Drake and The Weeknd’s Relationship

Drake introduces little-known Canadian crooner The Weeknd to his fans via his October’s Very Own Blog. Oliver El-Khatib, Drake's manager and OVO founder, posts two of Weeknd’s songs on the site along with the caption: “Introducing The Weeknd.”

Months later, Drake tweeted a lyric from The Weeknd's "Wicked Game," also posting the song on his blog.

The following year, they meet during one of Abel’s shows in Canada. In August, Drake appeared on The Weeknd track "The Zone." A short time later, they start collaborating on Drizzy’s album, Take Care.

“He’s like a writer, collaborator on four songs on my album, which I’m very proud of,” Drizzy told MTV News at the time. “I usually don’t branch out writing-wise working with other people. I usually like to write all my own stuff, but we get it. We try to tap into the same emotions because we’re from the same city.”

By 2012, Weeknd is buzzing heavy. Drake works on signing him to his label OVO Sound.

“As far as on paper, it’s all being worked out, but that’s not really what counts anyway,” Drizzy told MTV’s Sway Calloway. “What counts to me is the fact that the affiliation is so known, and that’s all I really care about."

He added, “I want to continue being involved in his career and vice versa and keep making music together, because you take songs like ‘Crew Love’ and ‘The Zone’ and that’s what people wait all night to hear.”

The Weeknd instead inks a partnership with Republic Records and receives his own XO imprint as part of the deal. Some speculate Drake is not happy with the decision.

The next summer, the two artists are back together in the studio. Aubrey appears on The Weeknd's Kiss Land track "Live For" and also takes Weeknd along for the European leg of his Would You Like a Tour?

In the midst of ghostwriting allegations being levied against Drake, The Weeknd opened up to Rolling Stone about giving the rapper music he originally planned on using for his album for Take Care.

“I gave up almost half of my album. It’s hard,” Weeknd says. “I will always be thankful—if it wasn’t for the light he shined on me, who knows where I’d be. And everything happens for a reason. You never know what I would say if this success wasn’t in front of me now.”

Having seemingly distanced themselves from each other for more than a year, the artists reunite as Drake brings out The Weeknd to perform “The Hills” during a stop in Germany on his Boy Meets World Tour.

Drake and Abel share the stage again as Drizzy makes cameos on two Toronto stops of the Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour. They perform their duet “Crew Love” for the first time in years.

Drake returns the favor and brings out The Weeknd at the 2017 OVO Festival. During a break in the action, Drizzy teases a joint project.

"I want you to understand what this is," Drake tells The Weeknd. "First of all, I don't want to do this to you on stage, but I feel like that OVOXO project has to happen at some point. I just want to say that."

Rumors begin to circulate that Drake is dating The Weeknd’s ex-girlfriend, model Bella Hadid, after the rapper reportedly throws her a posh 21st birthday party at New York City's Socialista lounge. The Weeknd and Hadid would later rekindle their relationship.

On the anniversary of Take Care, Drizzy responds to an internet troll who claims The Weeknd wrote most of the album by clearing the air. Drake doubles down on his stance that Abel only contributed to four songs on the LP, which many consider the Toronto rapper’s best project.

"There’s 20 songs on that album … don’t try me," Drake snaps.

The Weeknd appears on the Gesaffelstein song “Lost in the Fire” and drops a line many consider to be a jab at Drake.

"And I just want a baby with the right one/'Cause I would never be the one to hide one," Weeknd sings, causing many to speculate that he is referring to Drake’s son who was first revealed to the world via Pusha-T’s diss song “The Story of Adidon.”