Mysterious R’n’B star The Weeknd may be known to elude the limelight, but all eyes will be on him when he hits the Middle East next month.

The singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada, lesser known by his real name Abel Tesfaye, announced a three-date tour consisting of Lebanon and the UAE. He will play Pier 7 in Beirut on June 4, People by Crystal in Dubai on June 5 and People by Crystal in Abu Dhabi on June 6.

Tesfaye started his career in 2010, uploading songs onto YouTube anonymously under the pseudonym The Weeknd. Three mixtapes and a compilation later (released under Republic Records and his own label, XO), Tesfaye released his official debut album Kiss Land in 2013.

His expressive timbre and soothing falsetto — as well as lyrics of mostly romanticised debauchery — have earned him many a Michael Jackson comparison and a thumbs-up from critics and peers. He even caught the attention of fellow Torontonian Drake, with whom he has the hit song Crew Love.