There’s more to the 26-year-old that won the hearts of Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, who will celebrate his 27^th birthday this February 16, was born to Ethiopian parents. Since his mysterious entry into the music world in 2011, The Weeknd has been a force to reckon with. But other than a couple of headlines about his love life, very little is universally known about the man behind The Hills and Can’t Feel My Face.

His handful of interviews is a testament to who he is, the move both intentional and strategic. “We live in an era when everything is so excessive,” he once told Rolling Stone. “I think it's refreshing for everybody to be like, 'Who the f---- is this guy?'"

But in those few interviews, it is evident that The Weeknd is almost nothing like his music, which is often violent and references drugs and sexual longing. He himself has admitted that people tell him that he is much kinder and softer-spoken than expected. Nevertheless, the man has also admitted to having a healthy appetite for women—that is, before he met Bella Hadid and began a relationship that lasted about 18 months.

More recently, the Weeknd has been linked to Selena Gomez since the two were snapped earlier together earlier this year. TMZ caught them both with their hands all over each other, but neither of the two have gone on the record to confirm the relationship.

But more than his romantic ties with some of Hollywood’s darlings and his thick air of mystery, the Weeknd was and always will be about his music. He broke into the scene in 2011 with a free to download mixtape entitled House Of Balloons. The Weeknd then went on to work with Drake on his 2011 album, Take Care, and landed a deal with Universal’s Republic Records. Since his humble but notable entrance into the industry, he has won a significant amount of awards, including a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

The Hills is a controversy, which somehow played on every radio station despite its lyrics and theme.

Can’t Feel My Face is another drug-powered song that was destined for pop greatness.

Starboy featuring Daft Punk is arguably one of the best music videos in current existence.

Life For featuring Drake proves that the two musicians are powerhouses in their own rights.

Angel offers a softer and more vulnerable side of The Weeknd.