XO

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

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. The meaning of "XO" does not officially stand for anything specific, though it is often associated with ecstasy and oxycontin in fan culture. 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." When the Weeknd signed with Republic Records in 2012, XO was assumed as a subsidiary label. In 2015, rapper Belly was signed to XO; he left the label in 2023. In 2016, rapper Nav joined the label's roster. XO signed hip hop duo 88Glam in 2017, following the independent release of their mixtape *88Glam*. The duo left the label in 2020. Singer Black Atlass joined in 2018, he left the label in 2021. Singer Chxrry joined in 2022, becoming the first female artist signed to XO, but she left the label in 2023. 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.

In Their Own Story

The label's history is marked by key signings and departures. Belly and Derek Wise joined in 2015, Nav in 2016, 88Glam in 2017 (left 2020), Black Atlass in 2018 (left 2022), and Chxrry in 2022 as the first female artist. The label's radio show *Memento Mori* launched on Apple Music 1 in June 2018, with episodes running 2–3 hours, featuring the Weeknd and guest hosts from the label and beyond.

Reader's Guide

XO has officially released seventeen studio albums, four EPs, and four compilation albums (including two greatest hits albums). Unofficially, the label has released thirteen mixtapes. The label's seven number-one Billboard 200 debuts are: *Beauty Behind the Madness*, *Starboy*, *My Dear Melancholy*, *Bad Habits*, *After Hours*, *Good Intentions* and *Hurry Up Tomorrow*. Current acts are the Weeknd, Belly, Nav and Chxrry. Former acts include Derek Wise, 88Glam, and Black Atlass.

Did You Know?

• Though often associated with ecstasy and oxycontin, the Weeknd has stated that XO does not officially stand for anything specific.
• XO was founded in 2011 by the Weeknd, Wassim Slaiby, Amir 'Cash' Esmailian, and La Mar Taylor as an unofficial imprint for three mixtapes: *House of Balloons*, *Thursday*, and *Echoes of Silence*.
• Chxrry, signed in 2022, was the first female artist ever signed to XO, but she left the label in 2023.
• The label's radio show *Memento Mori* launched on Apple Music 1 on June 8, 2018, with episodes running 2–3 hours.
• Seven XO projects have debuted at number one on the Billboard 200: *Beauty Behind the Madness*, *Starboy*, *My Dear Melancholy*, *After Hours*, *Dawn FM*, and Nav's *Bad Habits* and *Good Intentions*.