XO (record label)

Last updated

XO
XO Records.png
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded2011;13 years ago (2011)
Founder
StatusActive
Distributor(s) Republic Records
Genre
Country of originCanada

XO [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 serves as the CEO. [4] As of 2012, it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Republic Records. [5]

Contents

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

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" has been debated by fans over time. Many fans argued that it means "hugs and kisses", whereas other fans argued that it 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]

As of the 6th of June 2018, The Weeknd announced his new radio show “Memento Mori” run by his record label XO on Apple Music 1. The first show aired on the 8th of June,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

Current acts

ActYear
signed
Releases
under the label
The Weeknd Founder12
Belly 20157
Nav 20167
Chxrry2220222

Former acts

ActYear
signed
Releases
under the label
88Glam 2017–20202
Black Atlass 2018–20222

In-house producers

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

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.

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsDetails
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
2015The 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
2016The 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 AtlassPain 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
88Glam88Glam2
  • Released: November 16, 2018 (initial) April 5, 2019 (2.5)
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
  • Chart position: uncharted
  • RIAA certification: uncertified
2019Nav – Bad Habits
  • Released: March 22, 2019
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, download
  • Chart position: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
202088Glam – Close to Heaven Far from God
  • Released: April 17, 2020
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
  • Cancelled, was released independently after leaving the label
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
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
2021Belly – See You Next Wednesday [26]
  • Released: August 27, 2021
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: download
  • Chart position: #191 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: uncertified
2022The Weeknd - Dawn FM
  • Released: January 7, 2022
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, cassette, download
  • Chart position: #2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: uncertified
2022Nav – Demons Protected by Angels
  • Released: September 9, 2022
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Format: CD, download
  • Chart position: #2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: uncertified

EPs

YearEP detailsDetails
2018The Weeknd – My Dear Melancholy,
  • Released: March 29, 2018
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download
  • Chart position: #1 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: uncertified
2019Nav – Brown Boy [27]
  • Released: March 14, 2019
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Format: Digital download
  • Chart position: uncharted
  • RIAA certification: uncertified
2022Chxrry22 – The Other Side
  • Released: September 28, 2022
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Format: Digital download
  • Chart position: uncharted
  • RIAA certification: uncertified
2023Chxrry22 – Siren
  • Released: October 27, 2023
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Format: Digital download
  • Chart position: uncharted
  • RIAA certification: uncertified

Compilation albums

YearAlbum detailsDetails
2012The Weeknd – Trilogy
  • Released: November 13, 2012
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: CD, download
  • Chart position: #4 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: 3× Platinum
2018The Weeknd – The Weeknd in Japan
  • 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
2023The Weeknd – Live at SoFi Stadium
  • Released: March 3, 2023
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
  • Chart position: uncertified
  • RIAA certification: uncertified

Mixtapes

YearAlbum details
2011The 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
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 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
2020Nav – Brown Boy 2
  • Released: May 11, 2020
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
Nav – Emergency Tsunami
  • Released: November 6, 2020
  • Label: XO, Republic
  • Formats: download
2023Belly – Mumble Rap 2
  • Released: May 19, 2023
  • Label: XO, Roc Nation
  • Formats: download

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belly (rapper)</span> Palestinian-Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer

Ahmad Balshe, known professionally as Belly, is a Palestinian-Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Jenin, Balshe was raised in Ottawa. His debut mixtape, Death Before Dishonor: Vol. 1 (2005) was followed eight additional projects until the release of his debut studio album, The Revolution (2007). After an eight-year hiatus in favor of songwriting for fellow Canadian singer the Weeknd, Balshe signed with his record label, XO, as a recording artist in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wassim Slaiby</span> Lebanese-Canadian music industry executive and CEO of XO Records

Wassim Joseph Slaiby, also known as Sal, is a Lebanese-Canadian record executive, talent manager, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He co-founded the record label XO with Canadian singer the Weeknd in 2011, for whom he has also served as manager. Furthermore, Slaiby is the founder and CEO of Universal Arabic Music, which he launched in 2021 in partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

<i>Inzombia</i> (mixtape) 2016 mixtape by Belly

Inzombia is the tenth mixtape by Palestinian-Canadian rapper Belly. It was released on 11 November 2016 through XO and Roc Nation. The mixtape features guest appearances from Jadakiss, Future, Nav, Young Thug, Zack, Ty Dolla Sign, and Ashanti. Production was handled by Belly and Nav themselves, DannyBoyStyles, DaHeala, Velous, Cubeatz, Ben Billions, Infamous, and the ANMLS. The mixtape was supported by one single, "Re Up", which features Nav and was also solely produced by him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nav (rapper)</span> Canadian rapper and record producer (born 1989)

Navraj Singh Goraya, known professionally as Nav, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Nav originally began his career as a producer, co-producing fellow Canadian rapper Drake's single, "Back to Back", in 2015. He then gained mainstream attention in 2016 when his song "Myself" went viral on SoundCloud. Nav is signed to Canadian singer the Weeknd's record label XO and its parent label, Republic Records, and is managed by XO managers Amir "Cash" Esmailian and Wassim "Sal" Slaiby.

Danny Schofield, known professionally as DannyBoyStyles, is an American Grammy award-winning record producer, engineer, songwriter, and composer. He produced all ten tracks on the Weeknd's album Kiss Land and won a Grammy for his work on the Weeknd's follow-up, Beauty Behind the Madness.

<i>Nav</i> (mixtape) 2017 mixtape by Nav

Nav is the eponymous debut commercial mixtape by Canadian rapper and record producer Nav. It was released through XO and Republic Records on February 24, 2017. The mixtape features a sole guest appearance from Canadian singer-songwriter and XO label boss the Weeknd, who appears on the lead single of the project, "Some Way". Nav handled most of the production himself, with some tracks featuring co-production from other record producers such as Metro Boomin, Rex Kudo, Frost, and DannyBoyStyles. The mixtape received generally mixed to negative reviews from critics, with a 42% score on Metacritic.

"Some Way" is the debut single by Canadian rapper and singer Nav featuring fellow Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released through XO and Republic Records as the lead single from Nav's self-titled debut mixtape on February 15, 2017. The song was written by the two artists and solely produced by Nav.

Derek Fifi "Wise" Bissue, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was formerly signed to Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd's record label, XO and Republic Records, under the hip hop duo 88Glam with his friend, fellow Canadian rapper 88Camino.

88Glam was a Canadian hip hop duo that formed in 2017 by Shakqueel "88Camino" Burthwright and Derek "Wise" Bissue. They were formerly signed to XO and Republic Records before getting dropped in 2020 and frequently collaborated with Nav, their now-former labelmate from the two labels.

Shakqueel Malcolm De'shon Burthwright, known professionally as 88Camino, is a Canadian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was formerly signed to Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd's record label, XO and Republic Records, under the hip hop duo 88Glam with his friend, fellow Canadian rapper Derek Wise.

<i>88Glam</i> (mixtape) 2017 mixtape by 88Glam

88Glam is the self-titled debut mixtape by Canadian hip hop duo 88Glam. It was self-released on November 7, 2017. The mixtape was features a sole guest appearance from Nav. It was re-released through XO Records and Republic Records on April 20, 2018. It features an additional guest appearance from 2 Chainz. The production on the mixtape was handled by Murda Beatz, WondaGurl, Cubeatz, AlexOnWeed, Joseph L'étranger, and Villa Beatz, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Toliver</span> American rapper and singer (born 1994)

Caleb Zackery "Don" Toliver is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Houston, Texas. He first gained recognition for his guest appearance on fellow Houston rapper Travis Scott's third album Astroworld (2018), with Toliver having released his debut solo mixtape, Donny Womack a day prior. In the following week, he signed with Scott's Cactus Jack Records in a joint venture with Atlantic Records. He then became known for his 2019 single "No Idea" and 2020 single "After Party", both of which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and received triple platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nav discography</span>

The discography of Canadian rapper Nav consists of four studio albums, one reissued album, three mixtapes, and 27 singles.

<i>Bad Habits</i> (Nav album) 2019 studio album by Nav

Bad Habits is the second studio album by Canadian rapper Nav. It was released through XO Records and Republic Records on March 22, 2019. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Meek Mill, Young Thug, Gunna, and Lil Durk. The deluxe edition was released four days later on March 26, 2019. It features additional guest appearances from Future and then-XO labelmate duo 88Glam. It follows his previous album, Reckless (2018), as well as his unofficial Brown Boy EP, released a week and a day before Bad Habits. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart as well as the US Billboard 200, becoming Nav's first chart-topper on both.

"Price on My Head" is a song by Canadian rapper Nav, featuring vocals from Canadian singer the Weeknd. The song was released through XO Records and Republic Records as the second single from Nav's second studio album, Bad Habits, on March 26, 2019. The song marks Nav and the Weeknd's second collaboration since Nav's single, "Some Way" from his self-titled mixtape (2017). The song was produced by Derek Wise from Canadian hip hop duo 88Glam and AlexOnWeed.

Memento Mori is an Apple Music 1 radio show created by Canadian singer The Weeknd. Syndicated through his record label XO, the show began airing on June 8, 2018. Throughout the show, the Weeknd plays a mixture of songs that have inspired him during his album-making process. He also invites various guests to host their own episode and share their curated playlists.

Amir Esmailian, also known as Cash and Cash XO, is an Iranian-Canadian music industry executive, talent manager, and record producer. He is the co-founder of XO Records and the co-manager of the label's primary artist, singer the Weeknd. He has executively produced albums and songs for artists such as Nav and the Carters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turks (song)</span> 2020 single by Nav and Gunna featuring Travis Scott

"Turks" is a song by Canadian rapper Nav and American rapper Gunna featuring fellow American rapper and singer Travis Scott. It was released on March 27, 2020, through XO and Republic as the only single from the former's third studio album, Good Intentions. The song was written by the artists alongside Cash XO and producer Wheezy. The official music video was released on March 30, 2020. The title of the song is a reference to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The three artists previously collaborated on Scott's single "Yosemite", from his third studio album, Astroworld (2018).

"Bali" is a song by Canadian hip hop duo 88Glam, featuring vocals from Canadian rapper Nav. It was released independently by 88Glam as the second single from their self-titled debut mixtape on November 7, 2017, along with the mixtape. The two 88Glam members, Derek Wise and 88Camino, and Nav wrote the song with producers AlexOnWeed and Villa Beatz. The remix of the song also adds a feature from American rapper 2 Chainz and was released as part of the reloaded version of the mixtape on April 20, 2018. The song reached number 62 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified platinum by Music Canada.

Alexander Fleming, professionally known as Black Atlass, is a Canadian singer, songwriter and model. His song, Paris, debuted in a Louis Vuitton campaign, and was also featured in a Saint Laurent fragrance ad. He was previously signed to XO/Republic Records and released his debut studio album, Pain & Pleasure, in 2018. He released his second studio album Dream Awake in 2020.

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