XO (record label)

Canadian record label founded by the Weeknd

Record label

Parent company| Universal Music Group
Founded| 2011; 14 years ago (2011)
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

XO (also known as XO Records)[1][2] is a Canadian record label founded by singer the Weeknd, his managers Wassim Slaiby and Amir "Cash" Esmailian, and his creative director La Mar Taylor.[3] Slaiby also is the 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 Chxrry22. 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]

## History

[edit]

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]

The meaning of "XO" stands for ecstasy and oxycontin. During the Weeknd's early uprising of his career, he would occasionally record music under the influence of drugs, stating, "There were songs on my first record that were seven minutes long."[8]

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. XO signed hip hop duo 88Glam in 2017,[9] following the independent release of their self-titled mixtape.[10] The duo left the label in 2020.[11] Singer Black Atlass joined in 2018, he left the label in 2022.[12][13] Singer Chxrry22 joined in 2022, becoming the first female artist signed to XO.[14]

On June 6, 2018, the Weeknd announced his new radio show Memento Mori run by the label on Apple Music 1. The first show aired on June 8, 2018, where the Weeknd would play a mixture of songs that have influenced him in the music scene. Often, he would invite his fellow XO members as well for other musicians as guests to host their own episodes in the scene to share their own taste in music. Each episode is run in the span of 2–3 hours.[15]

## Roster

[edit]

### Current acts

[edit]

Act  | Year
signed  | Releases
under the label

|
|

The Weeknd | Founder  | 12
Belly | 2015  | 7
Nav | 2016  | 7
Chxrry22  | 2022  | 2

### Former acts

[edit]

Act  | Year
signed  | Releases
under the label

|
|

88Glam | 2017–2020  | 2
Black Atlass | 2018–2022  | 2

### In-house producers

[edit]

Act  | Year

|

Illangelo[16] | 2011
DaHeala[17] | 2013
DannyBoyStyles[18] | 2013
Belly[18] | 2013
Nav[19] | 2016

## Discography

[edit]

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

### Studio albums

[edit]

Year  | Album details  | Details

|
|

2013  | The Weeknd – Kiss Land

* Released: September 10, 2013[20]
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, vinyl, download

* Chart position: #2 U.S.
* RIAA certification: Gold

2015  | The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness

* Released: August 28, 2015[21]
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, vinyl, download

* Chart position: #1 U.S.
* RIAA certification: 4× Platinum

2016  | The Weeknd – Starboy

* Released: November 25, 2016[22]
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, vinyl, download

* Chart position: #1 U.S.
* RIAA certification: 3× Platinum

2018  | Nav – Reckless

* Released: May 18, 2018
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, download

* Chart position: #8 U.S.
* RIAA certification: Gold

Black Atlass – Pain and Pleasure

* Released: July 12, 2018[23]
* 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: CD, vinyl, download

* Chart position: #1 U.S.
* RIAA certification: Gold

2020  | The Weeknd – After Hours

* Released: March 20, 2020
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, vinyl, cassette, download

* Chart position: #1 U.S.
* RIAA certification: 2× platinum

88Glam – Close to Heaven Far from God

* Released: April 17, 2020
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: download

* Cancelled, was released independently after leaving the label

Black Atlass – Dream Awake[24]

* Released: April 3, 2020
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: download

* Chart position: uncharted
* RIAA certification: uncertified

Nav – Good Intentions[25]

* Released: May 8, 2020
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, vinyl, cassette, download

* Chart position: #1 U.S.
* RIAA certification: uncertified

2021  | Belly – See You Next Wednesday[26]

* 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: CD, vinyl, cassette, download

* Chart position: #2 U.S.
* RIAA certification: uncertified

2022  | Nav – Demons Protected by Angels

* Released: September 9, 2022
* Label: XO, Republic
* Format: CD, download

* Chart position: #2 U.S.
* RIAA certification: uncertified

2025  | The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

* Released: January 31, 2025
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: CD, vinyl, cassette, download

* Chart position: #1 U.S.
* RIAA certification: TBA

### EPs

[edit]

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[27]

* Released: March 14, 2019
* Label: XO, Republic
* Format: Digital download

* Chart position: uncharted
* RIAA certification: uncertified

2022  | Chxrry22 – The Other Side

* Released: September 28, 2022
* Label: XO, Republic
* Format: Digital download

* Chart position: uncharted
* RIAA certification: uncertified

2023  | Chxrry22 – Siren

* Released: October 27, 2023
* Label: XO, Republic
* Format: Digital download

* Chart position: uncharted
* RIAA certification: uncertified

### Compilation albums

[edit]

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: 3× 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

2023  | The Weeknd – Live at SoFi Stadium

* Released: March 3, 2023
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: download

* Chart position: uncertified
* RIAA certification: uncertified

### Mixtapes

[edit]

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

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: Self-released (initial) XO, Republic (re-released)[10]
* Formats: download

2020  | Nav – Brown Boy 2

* Released: May 11, 2020
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: download

Nav – Emergency Tsunami

* Released: November 6, 2020
* Label: XO, Republic
* Formats: download

2023  | Belly – Mumble Rap 2

* Released: May 19, 2023
* Label: XO, Roc Nation
* Formats: download

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". Umusic. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. 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.
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.
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. ^ Jr, Robert Yaniz (February 13, 2021). "Why Do The Weeknd Fans Call Themselves the 'XO Crew'?". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
9. ^ "88GLAM ANNOUNCE FIRST HEADLINING CANADIAN TOUR". Umusic. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
10. ^ a b Berry, Peter. "88GLAM SIGN TO XO RECORDS, DROP '88GLAM: RELOADED' PROJECT". XXL. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
11. ^ Gheciu, Alex Nino. "88GLAM Talk 'New Mania,' Leaving XO, and That 'Independent Flex'". Complex. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
12. ^ Goddard, Kevin. "Did The Weeknd Sign R&B Singer Black Atlass To XO Records?". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
13. ^ Marsh, Ryan. "The Weeknd signs Black Atlass to XO Records". Rap Wave. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
14. ^ Pavlakos, Louis (October 3, 2022). "Newest XO Signee Chxrry22 Releases the Other Side EP". Complex. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
15. ^ Penrose, Nerisha (June 6, 2018). "The Weeknd Announces New Beats 1 Radio Show Memento Mori". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
16. ^ "The Weeknd on the Crew That Boosted Him From 'Basically Homeless' to the Super Bowl". Billboard. 2011.
17. ^ "The Weeknd Co-Manager SAL Joins Guy Oseary's Maverick: Exclusive". Billboard. 2016.
18. ^ a b "DannyBoyStyles, Producer for Beyonce, The Weeknd & Belly, On His Rise to Grammy Success". Billboard. 2017.
19. ^ "Who Is Signed To XO? Dissecting The Weeknd's Canadian Collective". October 24, 2017. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
20. ^ "Kiss Land by The Weeknd on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
21. ^ "Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ "Pain & Pleasure by Black Atlass on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
24. ^ "Black Atlass Announces 'Dream Awake' Album". exclaim.ca. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
25. ^ "NAV ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM 'GOOD INTENTIONS'". Rap-Up. April 27, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
26. ^ Grant, Shawn (August 21, 2021). "Belly Set to Drop 'See You Next Wednesday' Album on August 27". The Source. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
27. ^ Giulione, Bianca (March 14, 2019). "NAV's 'Brown Boy' EP Surprise Released by Cash XO". Highsnobiety. Retrieved March 16, 2019.

* v
* t
* e

Universal Music Group

People|

* Lucian Grainge
* Sherry Lansing
* James Mitchell
* Manning Doherty
* Bill Ackman
* Philippe Flageul
* Jody Gerson
* Boyd Muir

Interscope Capitol Labels Group|

| Capitol Music Group|

* Capitol Records
* Blue Note Records
* Astralwerks
* Harvest Records
* Capitol Christian Music Group
* ForeFront Records
* Motown Gospel
* Sparrow Records
* Priority Records

|

Interscope Geffen A&M Records|

* Interscope Records
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* Interscope Films
* Aftermath Entertainment
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* Dreamville Records
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* LVRN Records
* Mad Love and Friends Keep Secrets Records
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|

Verve Label Group|

* Deutsche Grammophon
* Decca Records
* Decca Classics
* Mercury KX
* Impulse! Records
* Verve Records
* Verve Forecast Records

Republic Corps|

* Republic Records
* Motown
* Quality Control Music
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* Cash Money Records
* Young Money Entertainment
* SRC Records
* American Recordings
* Boominati Worldwide
* Brushfire Records
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* XO
* Def Jam Recordings
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Virgin Music Group|

* Virgin Records
* Caroline Records
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UM Latin Entertainment|

* Capitol Latin
* Disa Records
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* Machete Music
* Universal Music Latino
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UMG Nashville|

* MCA Nashville
* Mercury Nashville Records
* Lost Highway Records
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UM Australia|

* Island Records Australia
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UM Japan|

* Polydor Records
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* Universal D
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UM UK|

* EMI Records
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UM Greater China|

* Capitol Records China
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UM France|

* Capitol Music France
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UM Philippines|

* Def Jam Philippines
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Universal Music Africa|

* U-Live Africa
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Other UMG labels|

* Universal Music Enterprises
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Publishing division|

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Film/TV units|

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Non-UMG distributed labels|

* Big Machine Label Group
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| International third-party licensees|

* Dreamus (South Korea (JYP Entertainment))
* Helicon (Israel)
* Tuff Gong (Caribbean)
* YG Plus (South Korea (HYBE Labels))
* Musica Studios (Indonesia)

|

Current artists

* v
* t
* e

The Weeknd

* Discography
* Videography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* Kiss Land (2013)
* Beauty Behind the Madness (2015)
* Starboy (2016)
* After Hours (2020)
* Dawn FM (2022)
* Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025)

Mixtapes|

* House of Balloons (2011)
* Thursday (2011)
* Echoes of Silence (2011)

EPs|

* My Dear Melancholy (2018)
* After Hours (Remixes) (2020)
* The Dawn FM Experience (2022)
* Music from The Idol (2023)

Compilation albums|

* Trilogy (2012)
* The Weeknd in Japan (2018)
* The Highlights (2021)

Live albums|

* Live at SoFi Stadium (2023)

Tours and shows|

* King of the Fall Tour
* The Madness Fall Tour
* Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour
* The Weeknd Asia Tour
* Super Bowl LV halftime show
* After Hours til Dawn Tour

See also|

* XO
* Memento Mori
* The Idol
* "Heart on My Sleeve"
* Hurry Up Tomorrow (film)

Category

* v
* t
* e

Nav

Discography

Studio albums|

* Reckless (2018)
* Bad Habits (2019)
* Good Intentions (2020)
* Demons Protected by Angels (2022)

Deluxe albums|

* Brown Boy 2 (2020)

Mixtapes|

* Nav (2017)
* Perfect Timing (with Metro Boomin) (2017)
* Emergency Tsunami (2020)

Singles|

* "Some Way"
* "Myself"
* "Perfect Timing (Intro)"
* "Call Me"
* "Wanted You"
* "Freshman List"
* "Champion"
* "Know Me"
* "Price on My Head"
* "Tap"
* "Turks"
* "Young Wheezy"
* "Never Sleep"
* "One Time"
* "Lately"
* "Calling"

Featured singles|

* "Beibs in the Trap"
* "Bali"
* "Maintain"
* "Yosemite"
* "Lemonade"
* "Fall Back"

Other songs|

* "Baguettes in the Face"
* "Friends & Family"
* "Don't Need Friends"

Concert tours|

* Never Sleep Tour

* v
* t
* e

Belly

* Discography

Studio albums|

* The Revolution (2007)
* Immigrant (2018)
* See You Next Wednesday (2021)
* 96 Miles from Bethlehem (2024)

Mixtapes|

* Up for Days (2015)
* Another Day in Paradise (2016)
* Inzombia (2016)
* Mumble Rap (2017)
* Mumble Rap 2 (2023)

Singles|

* "Pressure"
* "Don't Be Shy"
* "Hot Girl"
* "I Drink I Smoke"
* "Might Not"
* "Maintain"
* "What You Want"
* "Better Believe"
* "Die for It"

Featured singles|

* "Private Dancer"
* "Automatic"
* "Hit Me Up"

Other songs|

* "Double Up"

Related articles|

* Danny Fernandes
* Massari
* The Weeknd

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz label

|

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