The Weeknd on why he wants to retire the moniker: “I’ve overcome every challenge as this persona”
The Weeknd has said he wants to retire his moniker after overcoming “every challenge as this persona”.
The artist, real name Abel Tesfaye, has been releasing music as The Weeknd since 2011, and is currently gearing up to release his sixth studio album under the moniker ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’, which comes out on January 24 2025. The record will be the final instalment in his ‘Blinding Lights’ album trilogy, following 2020’s ‘After Hours‘ and ‘Dawn FM‘.
Now, however, he’s shared that he wants to retire the persona following the record’s release later this month.
In a new interview with Variety, Tesfaye explained the social media teasers for his upcoming album which read “The Weeknd / The End Is Near / 8 beautiful chapters in this story.” When asked which chapter he is referring to, Tesfaye responded: “I would say my existence as the Weeknd.”
“It’s a headspace I’ve gotta get into that I just don’t have any more desire for,” he continued. “I feel like it comes with so much. You have a persona, but then you have the competition of it all. It becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards and more Number Ones. It never ends until you end it.”
He went on to reference his 2022 performance at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where he abruptly cancelled the show halfway through, having lost his voice in the middle of a performance of ‘Can’t Feel My Face’.
“Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say. Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life.’ You know? Put the bow on it: ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’? Now we’re here,” he said. “When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”
However, it doesn’t mean he’s quitting music altogether, as he added: “But everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd, whatever that is, it’s been mastered. No one’s gonna do the Weeknd better than me, and I’m not gonna do it better than what it is right now. I think I’ve overcome every challenge as this persona, and that’s why I’m really excited about this film, because I love this challenge.”
The film in reference will serve as a follow-up to the record and will star The Weeknd, Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. It has been described as “an extension” of the album and will arrive in May.
The musician had shared teasers of the album in the form of his previous collab with Playboi Carti, ‘Timeless’, which was co-produced by Pharrell, and another new track called ‘Dancing In The Flames’ which arrived back in September. He also previewed various unreleased songs recently, including ‘Wake Me Up’, ‘Take Me Back To LA’ and ‘Open Hearts’.
Tesfaye also shared the album’s cover on his social media. The artwork features a simple close-up shot of his face, a departure from the facial prosthetics seen in his ‘After Hours’ era. ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ is available for pre-order here. The album is available in exclusive vinyl, box sets, and signed CDs.
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Laura Molloy
NME
