XO (record label)

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 Chxrry. The label has had seven projects debut at number one on the Billboard 200: Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, My Dear Melancholy, Bad Habits, After Hours, Good Intentions and Hurry Up Tomorrow.[6]

History

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 mixtape 88Glam.[10] The duo left the label in 2020.[11] Singer Black Atlass joined in 2018, he left the label in 2022.[12][13] Singer Chxrry 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

Discography

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.