Music

The Weeknd donates $300,000 to aid victims of Beirut explosion

'Give what you can,' the Toronto singer's manager implored fans.

'Give what you can,' the Toronto singer's manager implored fans

Toronto artist the Weeknd's hit single, 'Blinding Lights,' recently broke the record for most weeks in the Hot 100’s Top 5 after clocking 28 weeks on the charts. But even with feats like that, he was shut out of the 2021 Grammy Awards nominations. (Getty Images for A24)

In the past few months, Toronto R&B star the Weeknd has donated money to Black Lives Matter, MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fun and Scarborough Health Network. This week, he is adding another generous donation to the list: $300,000 to Global Aid for Lebanon to help victims of the recent Beirut explosion, which killed more than 200 people and destroyed part of the city. 

The Weeknd's manager, Wassim "Sal" Slaiby (who was born in Lebanon and immigrated to Canada at a young age), revealed the singer's latest charitable act on social media, writing: "I am so honoured and humbled to work with artists who have such deep care for the world and right now for our brothers and sisters of Lebanon who are in pain and need our collective help."

Slaiby also thanked Live Nation for an additional $50,000 donation. Slaiby himself, along with his wife, Rima Fakih, also donated $250,000 to Lebanese Red Cross, United Nations World Food Programme and Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon earlier this week, according to Variety.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

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