music

January 21, 2026

At 19, The Weeknd worked at American Apparel with a music side hustle—16 years later, he earned $298 million in 2025

As a teenager, The Weeknd quit his job at American Apparel for his music side hustle. Other professionals may want to be less impulsive.

At 19, The Weeknd worked at American Apparel with a music side hustle—16 years later, he earned $298 million in 2025

TL;DR

  • The Weeknd's "After Hours 'Til Dawn" tour has grossed over $1 billion, becoming the highest-earning tour by a male solo artist.
  • Abel Tesfaye was the highest-paid musician of 2025, with an estimated $298 million in personal earnings.
  • Tesfaye's earnings include profits from performances and a catalog partnership with Lyric Capital Group.
  • He started his career anonymously while working at an American Apparel store, gaining validation when coworkers played his music.
  • Tesfaye faced financial instability and legal issues in his youth before focusing on his music career.
  • His debut mixtape "House of Balloons" launched his career, leading to a performance at Coachella and a record deal.
  • Experts advise adequate preparation before quitting a full-time job to pursue a passion, including financial stability and assessing the viability of the side hustle.

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